Planning a Food-Inclusive Party

Inclusive Food Party Maja

The holiday season is the perfect time of year to get together with your loved ones! However, with everyone’s different food preferences and allergies, it can be a little challenging to make sure everyone feels included. We have some tips to help make sure everyone can enjoy themselves and the food at holiday parties!

Know Your Audience

Whether you are hosting a party or attending a gathering and bringing a side dish, it is always important to know your audience. Between allergies and various food preferences, such as being vegan or gluten-free, you certainly want to make sure that everyone has food choices that are safe for them. We have some suggestions for preparing gluten-free and vegan-friendly foods this holiday season!

Gluten-Free & Vegan-Friendly

If you or your loved ones follow a gluten-free or vegan diet, there is no need to fear! You can easily create a beautiful holiday meal by making a few adjustments to your traditional recipes in order to accommodate your guests.

Remember - if you are preparing a gluten-free dish, you are simply trying to avoid including wheat and certain grains in your recipes. Many companies have realized the popularity of this lifestyle and now offer a variety of gluten-free substitutions. Some common gluten-free alternatives, that also happen to be found in Maja’s baking mixes, are brown and white rice flour, sorghum flour, tapioca flour, and potato starch. There are other options out there as well, such as almond flour, arrowroot flour, buckwheat flour, and teff flour. If you’d like more information on various gluten-free flour options, check out this website!

For those following a vegan diet, keep in mind that they are simply substituting products coming from animals, such as meats, fish, milk, eggs, and cheese, and replacing them with plant-based products like beans, tofu, and fresh vegetables. You can also find lots of additional substitutions as well, including vegan eggs, non-dairy milk alternatives, and even vegan cheese.

Appetizers

If you’re on appetizer duty for your next party, here are some options that are gluten-free and plant-based and are sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Fresh fruits and veggies - You can never go wrong with a veggie tray or fruit salad at a holiday party, and if you have a creative mind, you can even create a festive display with them, such as a veggie Christmas tree or fruit salad Santa hats!

A caprese kabob - Fresh tofu mozzarella, cherry tomato, and basil on a skewer with some drizzled balsamic glaze is equally beautiful as it is delicious, making it perfect for any family gathering.
Plant-based charcuterie board - Put together a festive board with a mixture of your favorite homemade gluten-free breads, a variety of olives, and vegan cheeses. Rebel Cheeses are made from plants, and they have tons of absolutely delicious options!
Vegan spinach artichoke dip - Yum! Check out this recipe for a creamy, delicious dip that will surely be a hit at your party.
Chips and guac or salsa - Who doesn’t love chips with salsa or guacamole? Tons of companies offer gluten-free or vegan-friendly tortilla chips to pair perfectly with a yummy salsa or a fresh bowl of guacamole.

Entrees & Side Dishes

Many families have their traditional holiday staples that are expected at every get-together. If this is the case for your family, you might feel some added pressure if you are preparing dinner with a gluten-free or plant-based mindset.

Again, there is truly no need to fear! Keep in mind that most recipes can be slightly altered to accommodate those with food restrictions, and even better, there are tons of recipes out there to give you a frame of reference. Check out this Pinterest blog for some specific recipe ideas!

You can create safe and healthy dishes with a variety of vegetables, grains, and proteins that should be perfect for a crowd. Some of our favorite ideas are:

Gluten-free stuffing
Sweet potato casserole
Fresh roasted vegetables
Mashed cauliflower or garlic mashed potatoes with vegan butter
Caramelized brussel sprouts
Holiday salads
Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
Homemade plant-based Mac & Cheese from Chloe Coscarelli

Desserts

You certainly cannot have a holiday gathering without desserts! Maja’s website features a Recipe Box with lots of delicious, protein-packed, and easy-to-make recipes that are excellent options for your loved ones with any food-restrictions. All of Maja’s products are always gluten-free and vegan and proudly packed with superfoods. Our baking mixes are even free of the top 14 allergens!

One of our favorites is our Garden Brownies, which can be so easily altered to make it festive depending on your party’s theme. Adding vegan-friendly sprinkles or candy canes can take this tray of yummy brownies and turn it into the perfect Christmas treat!

Prepare Properly

Proper preparation is also key in ensuring the safety of your guests. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) offers an excellent article with some tips regarding how to properly clean, separate, and cook the food to avoid any cross-contamination. Check it out here!

Create a Display

A perfect way to make your guests feel included at a party is to display what foods are safe for them. Get creative with the way you create a display.

Pinterest has tons of cute inspiration for clever ideas that are perfect for various holidays. One idea is to buy a roll of craft paper and lay it out over your counter. Set each dish along the craft paper and write the name and whether it is safe next to the dish. This can be a super cute option that will also make clean-up a breeze!

Another idea is to create small toothpick labels that can stick right in a dish or create small frames with the name of the dish and/or ingredients.

A display of all the food that is offered with names, ingredients, or even a note of whether it is safe can be such a thoughtful and simple way to make your guests feel included and comfortable.

Our Recipe Box

Maja’s website features a Recipe Box with lots of delicious, protein-packed, and easy-to-make recipes that are excellent options for your loved ones with any food-restrictions! Many of Maja’s products are vegan-friendly and gluten-free and proudly packed with superfoods. Our baking mixes are even free of the top 14 allergens!