Gluten Free Cocktail Party – Part II

A week or so ago I noticed that my post entitled Gluten Free Cocktail Party? had jumped dramatically to the number one read entry.  I found this surprising, but it occurred to me that perhaps people were looking for tips on either going to or hosting a gluten free cocktail party.

And then a few days ago, coincidentally, I found myself at another work event that started with a cocktail hour.  There were mac and cheese bites, crab cakes, fried zucchini, mini burger sliders, mini BLTs, lump crab on a cracker thing, and shrimp cocktail.  It all looked delicious, but the shrimp were the only thing I could eat – and is cocktail sauce even gluten free?

So again I was facing the problem of eating at a cocktail party, and there was no solution but to eat first, bring a snack, politely decline the waitresses on those mac and cheese bites, and enjoy the cocktails.  I wish I had better advice on attending these events, but the sad truth is that the vast majority of cocktail parties in our life will probably never cater to our gluten free needs.  (Except, I decided, my own wedding one day.  Dad, please start saving for the additional cost now.)

Less formal cocktail parties with friends or associates can be just as problematic.  If you are attending one of these events and feel comfortable, call the hostess a few days in advance to explain your allergy and see if you can bring a dish to share.  Then there will be at least one thing you know you can safely eat.  If you are a very conscientious host and want to be sure there is food for a gluten intolerant guest at your party, the best thing to do is call them first to chat.  If you do make something gluten free, make it first to prevent cross-contamination later.  If in doubt on any gluten free matter, ask.

If you are looking for a gluten free caterer in your area, do a simple google search.  I was surprised at how many I found.  Good luck.

I'm Not A Big Drinker, But...

I'm not a big drinker, but who doesn't like to have a drink now and then?  Most people with celiac disease morn the loss of beer in their lives.  There have been a few times when I, too, have wished I could have a beer in the last six months: the super bowl, an occasional happy hour, sitting on the beach in Mexico.  But normally I'm ok without it.  I was never a big beer drinker anyway.  I'm a vodka girl myself.  And they can't take that away from me.

My 25th birthday was last week and some friends and I went out dancing last night to celebrate.  The "now and then" of my drinking occurred last night.  After making a dinner of pork chops, wild rice, and broccoli, I started on my signature vodka cranberries (plural, sorry mom).  I've started using seltzer and just a splash of juice as a mixer in my old age.  There were lots of drinks throughout the evening and I didn't have to worry about gluten the entire time.  I could have had just about any hard alcohol and been fine - gluten wise, not sobriety wise.  There was a moment leaving the bar last night when everyone went across the street to eat pizza that I slipped into a quick pity party, until I saw a taco truck a block away.  It might have only been because it was four in the morning and I was drunk, but I had one of the best chicken tacos I've ever had there.

I'm pretty happy alcohol generally isn't something I have to worry about on this lifetime gluten free diet.  I've even started drinking wine a little bit, which is now what I have at happy hour instead of beer (I reserve vodka for times I want to end up dancing).  Previous beer fanatics aren't as lucky.  There are a few gluten free beers, but they aren't offered at most mainstream bars.  They also aren't as good.  I'm glad I made this celiac discovery post high school and college though, or else the avoiding beer part would have been much harder.  But with vodka and wine on my side, I'm going to be alright.