Hosting a Gluten-Free Friendsgiving with Schär

The holiday season is a time for togetherness, gratitude, and of course, delicious food. Sometimes, gathering with family isn't possible, or perhaps you're looking to create new traditions with your closest friends.

Enter Friendsgiving: a festive celebration that brings the spirit of Thanksgiving to a more casual, friend-focused gathering.

This year, why not make it inclusive for all your guests, including those with dietary restrictions? If you're expecting gluten-free guests, there's no need to stress. We've curated easy-to-follow tips and scrumptious Schär-based recipes to ensure that your Friendsgiving is a hit, with no one missing out on the feast.

Choosing Your Friendsgiving Style

Friendsgiving is all about flexibility and personal touch. While a traditional sit-down dinner has its charm, it's not your only choice. For those envisioning a laid-back atmosphere, or if your space doesn't allow for a formal seating arrangement, a buffet-style spread can be a wonderful alternative. This approach encourages guests to mingle and enjoy the feast at their leisure. On the other hand, if you're eager for a touch of elegance, this is the perfect occasion to showcase your best dinnerware and create a refined setting.

Deciding on the ambiance you want to create is a crucial first step. Whether it's cozy and casual or elegant and elaborate, setting the right tone early will guide all your subsequent planning for a Friendsgiving that reflects your unique vision.

Make Meal Planning a Group Activity

Turn meal planning into a shared endeavor for an inclusive Friendsgiving feast. While you might relish the chance to showcase your cooking prowess, remember that Friendsgiving is the perfect occasion for a collective culinary experience. Encourage each guest to bring a dish, contributing to the bountiful spread. To streamline the process and ensure there aren’t duplicate meals, set up a shared spreadsheet or Google Doc where everyone can detail what they’re bringing.

This communal approach doesn’t just simplify organization—it also ensures that guests with dietary preferences, like those needing gluten-free options, can navigate the menu with ease. For a truly inclusive Friendsgiving table, you may want to make the entire meal gluten-free. Offer guidance to those less familiar with gluten-free cooking to help them select suitable recipes. Have participants share their dish details with you beforehand to ensure everything is safe for everyone to enjoy. This way, every guest can indulge in the feast without hesitation.

Take Responsibility for the Turkey

The turkey is the centerpiece of any Thanksgiving meal, so it should be hot out of the oven when everyone’s ready to eat. Transporting a whole turkey is a disaster waiting to happen so, as the host of the event, consider taking on the turkey as your designated dish. This will also enable you to check and double-check the accoutrements like stuffing and gravy to make sure they’re gluten-free.

If you’ve never roasted a turkey before, don’t panic! It’s a fairly long process but by no means a complicated one. You can even make things easy on yourself by cooking the bird without stuffing (assign this dish to someone else) and using packaged gluten-free gravy.

Here’s a simple recipe for gluten-free roasted turkey:

Ingredients:

• 1 frozen turkey (12-20 pounds)
• Salt and pepper
• 1 yellow onion, peeled and quartered
• 1 lemon, quartered
• 1 apple, quartered
• 1 bunch fresh rosemary
• 1 bunch fresh thyme
• 1 bunch fresh sage
• 1 cup softened butter
• 1 head garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Thaw the turkey in the fridge ahead of time. Give it 24 hours for every 5 pounds with an extra 24 hours, just to be safe.
2. Remove the turkey from the fridge 1 hour prior to roasting.
3. Preheat the oven to 325°F and adjust the oven rack so the turkey will sit in the middle.
4. Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey cavity and pat the skin dry with paper towel.
5. Chop 1 tablespoon each of the rosemary, thyme, and sage.
6. Add the herbs to a small bowl with the butter and garlic then season with salt and pepper.
7. Season the turkey cavity with salt and pepper then stuff with the lemon, onion, apple, and whole herbs.
8. Loosen the skin over the turkey breasts and rub some of the butter under it.
9. Place the turkey on a roasting rack set in a roasting pan, tucking the wings under the body.
10. Soften the rest of the herb butter in the microwave then brush it over top of the turkey.
11. Roast the turkey in the preheated oven for 13-15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part hits 160°F.
12. Remove the turkey from the oven and tent it loosely with foil.
13. Let the turkey rest for 20-30 minutes before carving—the temperature should reach 165°F under the foil.

Make Sure There’s Enough for Everyone

The turkey may take center stage, but it's the supporting cast of sides that truly makes the Friendsgiving feast memorable. Start by confirming who's bringing the staples, like gluten-free stuffing crafted from Schär bread. Then, enhance the menu with an array of vegetables, gluten-free dinner rolls, and an assortment of desserts. And don't fret over an abundance of food—providing to-go containers allows guests to savor the leftovers at home.

Encourage your guests to embrace their culinary creativity. Whether they're adapting a treasured family dish or experimenting with new recipes, every contribution is welcome. For instance, they could use Schär Mix It! Universal to whip up a sumptuous homemade pie crust for the pumpkin pie, or substitute traditional fried onions with gluten-free breadcrumbs for a crunchy green bean casserole topping. With a little innovation, every dish on the table can be a delicious, gluten-free delight that everyone can enjoy.

Provide a Run-Down Before Digging In

As the Friendsgiving assembly is complete and the turkey is ready to be served, take a moment for a brief introduction of the spread. This step is crucial, especially if you have a mix of gluten-free and traditional dishes.

A smart move is to label each dish clearly, specifying whether it's gluten-free. This not only helps those with dietary restrictions but also adds an element of interaction to your gathering. Invite each guest to spotlight their culinary contribution, sharing insights into the ingredients used and their preparation process.

This pre-meal presentation can be as informative as it is entertaining, setting the stage for a feast where everyone can eat with confidence and celebration.

Looking for some gluten-free recipes to recommend for Friendsgiving this year? Check out other Schär recipes where you’ll find inspiration for entrees, side dishes, desserts, and more.