AUTHOR: Daisy Frisch
Hosting dinner for guests with special diets doesn't mean sacrificing flavor or variety. From gluten-free to vegan, there are countless delicious options that cater to every need. These 10 dinner ideas are designed to delight guests with dietary restrictions, ensuring everyone enjoys a memorable meal without worry. Get ready to impress with dishes that are as inclusive as they are tasty.
Table of Contents
- 1. Make Your Own Taco Bar/Burrito Bowls
- 2. Make Your Own Baked/Sweet Potato Bar
- 3. Vegetarian or Build Your Own Sushi Rolls
- 4. Spring Rolls With Rice Wrappers
- 5. Pad Thai or Other Rice Noodle Based Dishes
- 6. Polenta With Customizable Toppings
- 7. Customize Your Own Omelet
- 8. Gluten Free Pasta Dishes
- 9. Assorted Charcuterie Boards
- 10. Themed Grain Bowls
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1. Make Your Own Taco Bar/Burrito Bowls
Preparing a bunch of ingredients and letting friends choose what they want to add at their convenience is a great way to prepare a meal for multiple people with varying food habits. Examples include black or pinto beans, seasoned rice, roasted or sweet potatoes, avocado, and corn. Ask for all allergies and restrictions ahead of time so you can avoid or separate certain spices and ingredients.
2. Make Your Own Baked/Sweet Potato Bar
Likewise, a baked potato bar allows each person to add their toppings, rather than serving them a cohesive dish that could include an ingredient they must avoid. A baked potato bar could consist of toppings like bacon or mock bacon, various cheeses, butter, and chopped vegetables. If you’re serving sweet potatoes, you could offer savory or sweet options for toppings.
3. Vegetarian or Build Your Own Sushi Rolls
Although making sushi with raw fish at home may not be something everyone’s comfortable with, it’s relatively easy to make vegetarian sushi rolls. Suppose you prepare a bunch of fillings ahead of time. In that case, you can allow each person or the individual with a restricted diet to specify what they’d like in their rolls.
4. Spring Rolls With Rice Wrappers
Rice-paper spring rolls are an excellent choice to serve to someone with food restrictions, especially if you let the person prepare their own. All you have to do is chop various vegetables (and meat, if you wish) and have sauces on the side for dipping. Rice paper must be dipped in water, filled with the ingredients, and rolled up.
5. Pad Thai or Other Rice Noodle Based Dishes
You may need to get creative with the sauce if someone has allergies that inhibit them from consuming store-bought sauces. However, pad thai or similar dishes that use rice noodles are a great way to pack flavor into a meal while avoiding wheat noodles. Add whatever vegetables and protein you’d like, including eggs, beef, chicken, and tofu.
6. Polenta With Customizable Toppings
Are you sensing the theme with customizable dishes yet? Polenta is a great choice to use as a base for someone with allergies, assuming they are not allergic to corn. When appropriately prepared, polenta has a delicious flavor and texture. You could add sautéed vegetables, the protein of your choice, and perhaps something crunchy on top like nuts or seeds.
7. Customize Your Own Omelet
Have you ever been to a buffet or restaurant where they let you customize your omelet? It is fun to choose what you want and can ease some of the stress that comes with cooking for multiple people with varying restrictions. Prepare a bunch of vegetables, protein, and cheese ahead of time, and let your guest or guests make their own selections.
8. Gluten Free Pasta Dishes
Now that gluten-free products are more readily available in stores, it’s easier than ever to prepare a pasta dish by simply substituting the pasta you use. Plenty of pasta recipes can be tailor-made to avoid certain ingredients, such as garlic, onion, or tomatoes, and the rest lies in making sure you buy the correct type of pasta at the store.
9. Assorted Charcuterie Boards
Charcuterie boards are an excellent way to serve someone with food restrictions without making them feel like their meal is paltry. Once you have an exhaustive list of the foods they *can’t* eat, buy a bunch of different meats, cheeses, nuts, jams, and crackers that accommodate their allergies. If you’re preparing food for a large gathering, keep “problem foods” on separate foods to avoid cross-contamination.
10. Themed Grain Bowls
If the person you’re cooking for follows a gluten-free diet, you can prepare one of many grains, including rice, quinoa, or millet as a base. You could add roasted vegetables, grilled chicken thighs, and a sauce or cheese that fits the flavor profile you’re going for.
Source: Reddit.
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