Six holiday food alternatives worth trying
By Mikaela Graf | Social media editor
Whether it is enjoying a hot drink with friends or gathering with extended family for a Christmas meal, some of my fondest holiday memories are centered around food. Many of us have certain dishes that we would consider staples of this season, but for people with dietary restrictions, it may be difficult to navigate the various festive gatherings and events and leave with a fully satisfied stomach. This is why I sought out eight different holiday food alternatives can not only hold up at your favorite festivities but are also convenient to make whenever you are in rush to make an accommodation for yourself or a loved one.
1. Tofurky® Plant-Based Ham Style Roast
According to an estimate from TIME Magazine, Americans buy 318 million pounds of ham around this time of year. It is the center piece for countless holiday feasts across the nation, and often provides a bit of the protein we need to keep up with the numerous carb-heavy side-dishes. The Tofurky® Plant-Based Ham Style Roast is any easy-to make meatless alternative that includes the tough outside and a sticky amber ale glaze. The inside of this ball-shaped roast is a salty and savory tofu-based mixture that contains 22g of protein per serving. While it does not taste identical to ham, it has a meat-like texture and umami taste that makes it a great seasonal alternative.
2. Evol® Gluten Free Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese
Many Southerners would argue that no feast would be complete without a side of macaroni. If you are looking for a quick and easy gluten-free version of this classic side, consider picking up a box of Evol® Gluten Free Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese. Located in the frozen section of your local grocery store, it is a convenient, delicious alternative that can be prepared in 45 minutes in the oven or under 4 minutes in the microwave. The gouda gives it a nice smoky tang and melts nicely into a smooth, creamy sauce. The noodles are soft but not mushy, which is always a risk when making noodles from frozen.
3. Udis® Gluten Free Classic French Dinner Rolls
No matter how much food I eat at the holiday gathering, I will always have room for an extra roll to finish off the meal. I will go for any roll that I can get my hands on, regardless of type, but those who can not eat gluten do not necessarily have that luxury of choice. Instead of skipping on the side altogether, you can pick up a bag of Udis® Gluten Free Classic French Dinner Rolls. They are made from brown rice flour and come out of the oven with a crunchy exterior and soft, chewy interior. Possibly the best part about this alternative is that they come frozen, so you can keep them in your freezer all season and prepare them in under an hour whenever you need them.
4. Simple Truth™ Plant Based Sugar Cookie Mix and Duncan Hines® Keto Friendly Vanilla Frosting
Frosted sugar cookies and plant based “holiday nog” makes a perfect dessert this season. (photo by Mikaela Graf)
Holidays are not all about filling up on a fine meal, though it is a very enjoyable part of the experience. One of my favorite seasonal traditions is baking and decorating sugar cookies with my family. The Simple Truth™ Plant Based Sugar Cookie Mix is certified gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO, and contains 4 different types of nut-free flour alternatives, including organic okara flour. Just like your normal cookie mixes, the dough is easy to make with the only additional ingredients necessary being oil, water, and a bit of your own flour alternative. My bag turned out 24 cookies that were just the right mix of crunchy and chewy and retained their quality for days after. They taste very similar to your classic sugar cookie and were just as addictive. What are cookies without some decoration, though? When I was looking through the selection of pre-made frostings at my local grocery, the Duncan Hines® Keto Friendly Vanilla Frosting piqued my interest, because it is not only vegan and free from the FDA’s list of the 8 top allergens but also friendly to the keto diet that has been popularized in the past few years. I am always skeptical of any artificially sweetened products, because they can often take on a chemical or overly sweet taste. However, I was pleasantly surprised with this frosting, which has only 2g of net crabs in a serving size of 2 tbsp. It tasted very close to any other store-bought frosting, and though the cookies were not keto-friendly, these two products combined created a sweet treat that stayed true to the original dessert.
5. Good Karma® PlantBased Holiday Nog
If you set out a plate of your freshly baked cookies for Santa, he is going to want a drink to go with it. You may want to consider Good Karma® Plant-Based Holiday Nog. Of course, you should probably grab a glass for yourself while you are at it. This holiday classic alternative delivers the signature sweet and spicy taste without any eggs, dairy, or the other 6 major allergens. The flaxmilk base provides a smooth and creamy delivery for the nutmeg and ginger that give the drink its festive flavor. I was pleasantly surprised with how close it tasted to authentic nog and followed up the gluten-free cookies well.
6. Califia Farms® Peppermint Mocha Latte and Natural Bliss® All-Natural Oat Milk Creamer in Peppermint Mocha
Using plant-based milks for a latte is great substitute for those limiting or avoiding dairy. (photo by Mikaela Graf)
While this time of year is typically full of cheer and joy, it can often be a tad busy and exhausting, as well. If you are looking for some extra dairy-free energy this season, some plant based peppermint mocha coffee is a great choice. For my coffee-lovers who prefer a quick and easy pre-made option, Califia Farms® Peppermint Mocha Latte is ready-to-be-served as is or over a cup of ice. It is made with almond milk and cold brew coffee and has a smooth, rich taste that nicely blends both the minty and chocolate-y flavors. My only critique is that the essence of coffee gets a little bit lost behind everything else, to the point where it tastes closer to a peppermint chocolate milk than it does a latte. If you would rather have more control over the taste of your coffee, I suggest the Natural Bliss® All-Natural Oat Milk Creamer in Peppermint Mocha. It is a nut-free, vegan creamer that provides a powerful peppermint punch with subtle notes of rich chocolate. It is less sweet than the previous option, but it is immensely flavorful, and a little bit will take your coffee a long way.
Contact Mikaela Graf at mgraf@augusta.edu.
This story is published in the Monday, Nov. 28, 2022 print edition of The Bell Ringer on page 5.
