Naturally Healthy & Gluten-Free Potluck Choices

If eating 'gluten free' has you turning down potluck invitations, it's time for a change. Whether you are hosting or participating in a potluck, there are ways you can enjoy the event without risking your gluten-free diet.

Let's look at some dishes that are gluten free, but still very potluck worthy. You don't need to buy special gluten-free flours or other ingredients to make these dishes. For simplicity sake, these foods are already naturally gluten free!

Quinoa Salad

Potluck tables normally have a plethora of pasta salads. And since most pasta is made with wheat flour, those salads are off limits. However, quinoa is a seed and is gluten free. This is one ingredient you want on hand at all times if you are on a gluten-free diet!

Quinoa salads are so easy to make that at least one dish needs to be in everyone's 'go to' potluck recipe file. Quinoa is light and fluffy and mixes well with oil and vinegar dressings as well as lots of vegetables. You can't weigh it down! This is also one salad that stands up to the test of time. It doesn't wilt and just takes a quick toss to freshen it up again. Add fresh tomatoes, olives, diced cucumbers, black beans, and dill, along with some olive oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper, to make a delicious, healthy, and easy dish to take to your next pot luck.

Chicken Cutlets

To remove any doubt as to whether a pizza crust or tortilla is gluten free, why not just skip the whole thing and use chicken cutlets instead? This is a great trick used by both low-carb and gluten-free dieters.

Just pound out chicken breasts as thinly as possible, then use as you would a pizza crust or tortilla. You will want to bake the cutlets in the oven, then cool before adding your toppings or filling. Make individual 'cutlet pizzas' by topping the cutlets with sauce and anything else you would want on a pizza. Make roll-ups the same way by first baking the cutlets, then cooling and filling, then baking just until the filling is hot and cooked to your liking. Then serve just like you would taquitos or other roll-ups or pinwheels on a potluck table.

Deviled Eggs

This dish may seem old fashioned and even cliche at a potluck, but trust me, you can make them very delicious and put that thought to rest for good. Being totally gluten free in their natural state, eggs are a great vehicle for all sorts of goodies, as long as you pay attention to what's gluten free, and what's not.

When making deviled eggs, the trick is to get tons of flavor in the yolk. You will of course want some sort of cream, but most mayonnaise on the market has gluten in it. Try instead using Greek yogurt, which is usually gluten free (check the label). Then spice up the yolks with lots of herbs and seasonings (again, check the label). Your best bet is to use fresh herbs and spices, not dried or mixed, to ensure you are not getting additives that may have gluten. You may want to chop a jalapeno pepper instead of using bottled hot sauce. Mince garlic and onion rather than using a powder form. Just watch the labels and stick closest to the original form to avoid added gluten. (See last week's recipe here - just be sure to check labels.)

These are three simple foods you can bring to a potluck gathering that are truly gluten free. If you are hosting a gluten free potluck, just remember to give participants ideas (or even recipes if needed) for gluten free foods to make and share. Then you've got your bases covered and all is well... and delicious!