Try these recipes for an allergen free Christmas dinner

Cooking a festive feast that everyone is happy with can be a daunting task.

Not only are there lots of components and timings to keep track of, but when there are dinner guests with allergies it can make whipping up a feast even more complex – especially for those who don’t live with allergies themselves.

Whether you have a niece who suffers with coeliac disease, a brother-in-law with a nut allergy, or an aunt who is lactose intolerant, it’s important to know you’re making a meal that is safe for them to eat.

So Metro.co.uk enlisted the help of MasterChef Winner, chef and restaurateur, Kenny Tutt, to ensure you’ve got some staple allergen free Christmas dinner recipes.

Easy Christmas gravy (gluten free)

This Christmas gravy is an easy win if you’re looking to get some things prepped ahead of time.

Ingredients:

Serves 6

• 1kg chicken wings
• 4 carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 leek, chopped into chunks
• 2 onions, peeled and quartered
• 2 star anise
• 2 sprigs of thyme
• 2 sprigs of rosemary
• 2 tbsp redcurrant jelly (most are GF, but check before buying)
• 2 tbsp cornflour
• Drizzle of sunflower oil
• Sea salt & black pepper

Method:

Allergen warning:

When attempting any of the recipes – if you’re cooking for someone with a severe allergy like coeliac disease or a nut allergy – it’s key that there is no contamination in the kitchen.

This means cleaning everything thoroughly before use (with a new sponge and hot water), using separate spoons for stirring things and washing your hands.

Herb and apple stuffing (gluten and nut free)

Kenny says: ‘This recipe uses mushrooms to add a natural meatiness and with no nuts or gluten in sight, it’s a perfect allergy free alternative.

‘The apple brings a lovely sweetness which goes wonderfully on any festive plate. Flaxseed is used as a great egg alternative to bind the mix.’

It’s important to note that this recipe is not suitable for those who suffer from a sesame allergy.

Ingredients:

Serves 6

• 10 slices of gluten free mixed seed bread (double check the bread for allergens)
• 1 white onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 leeks finely sliced
• 6 chestnut mushrooms, finely diced
• 2 apples such as Braeburn or Cox, roughly chopped.
• 1 tbsp flaxseed powder (blitz flaxseed or from health shops)
• 4 leaves of sage, finely chopped
• 3 thyme sprigs, leaves picked and roughly chopped
• 2 rosemary sprigs, leaves picked and roughly chopped
• Pinch of nutmeg
• Salt and pepper
• Drizzle of sunflower or rapeseed oil.

Method:

Crispy roast potatoes with rosemary and garlic (allergen and gluten free)

‘There’s nothing quite like a perfectly roast potato. Soft and fluffy on the inside with a crispy golden coat,’ says Kenny.

‘They are the king of potatoes. This recipe is allergen and gluten free to be enjoyed by everyone.’

Ingredients:

Serves 6

• 2kg of flour potatoes like Maris Piper or King Edwards
• 4 rosemary sprigs, leaves picked and roughly chopped 4 garlic cloves, peeled and left whole
• 6 tbsp of sunflower or rapeseed oil
• Sea salt

Method:

Beef wellington (gluten and dairy free)

Kenny says: ‘This is a real show stopping centerpiece fit for Christmas Day. This recipe uses beef fillet which is expensive but is of course a real treat for the time of year.

‘Using a decent gluten free pastry makes the whole process much easier. You can also prepare your wellington a few days in advance ready to pop in the oven.’

Ingredients:

Serves 6

• 1kg beef fillet, in one piece
• 280g Gluten free puff pastry sheet (I used Jus-Rol)
• 250g chestnut mushrooms
• 1 banana shallot, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 1 handful of flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
• Splash of red wine
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 4 slices of prosciutto
• 1 egg
• 100ml oat milk (It must be a specifically gluten free oat milk, as oats are a high risk food for coeliacs)
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  For egg wash
• 1 egg and 100ml oat milk whisked together (again specifically gluten free oat milk)

Method:

Kenny’s Christmas cooking tips:

Take the stress away with some good preparation

Kenny says: ‘You want to spend time with loved ones over Christmas not hours at the stove, so get what you can done well in advance. Sauces, gravy, vegetables and sides such as stuffing can all be done well in advance and frozen ready just to bring back to life.’

How to get a juicy turkey

Turkey is a very lean meat so it’s really easy to dry out. Brining meat can seem pretty daunting but it is really very easy. You can easily get hold of a meat injector online and it will completely transform your Christmas bird game.

Make a simple chicken stock using a stock cube and water. Stir in 1 tsp. of caster sugar and dissolve. Use the injector to inject into the breast and thighs of the bird for juicy turkey every time.

How to stop being a sprout hater

Kenny says: ‘For me sprouts are for not just for Christmas. Packed with vitamins and so versatile we need shake the reputation of overcooked, unappealing green morsels.

‘Try halving your sprouts. Coat with honey, thyme, squeeze of lemon juice, seasoning and a splash of water.

‘Roast in a baking tray at 170c for 20 – 30 minutes from beautiful sweet crispy sprouts that will turn even the most die-hard sprout hater.’

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