Holiday Helpers

By Tamira Franz, Director of Health & Wellness Mollie Stone’s Markets

The holiday season is the time to celebrate and share traditions both timely and fresh. For those seeking or encouraging more conscientious eating, there are many delicious and accessible options to gluten, dairy, re ned sugar, and animal-based products. Traditional recipes and favorite dishes can be adjusted with tried-and-true products that address allergen issues,

Nondairy Cheese and Butter

On a cheese platter, o er a selection of nondairy cheese, gluten-free crackers, crudités (sliced raw vegetables) and plantbased dips like hummus or nondairy cream cheese.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS: Miyoko’s vegan cheeses and European butter • Earth Balance butter • Follow Your Heart vegan Parmesan or vegan Gouda • Violife nut-free and vegan feta or sliced cheese

Sugar Substitutions

Reduce sugar content and the subsequent calories, without losing sweetness, by using stevia, erythritol, or a combination of the two when baking.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS: Lakanto • In the Raw Monk fruit •

Wholesome Organic Stevia

White Flour Substitutions

Instead of regular white flour, gluten-free flour can be used 1:1 in most recipes calling for regular flour without a noticeable di erence.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS: High quality and popular brands include Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free flour, King Arthur gluten-free flour, and Cup 4 Cup.

• Try using cassava flour as it replaces 1:1 in most recipes. Cassava is a root vegetable, also known as yucca, and is similar to the potato or yam. The cassava root is peeled, dried, and ground into flour producing a mild and neutral flavor that lends well to baking and is grain-free, nut-free, and gluten-free.

dietary concerns, and support lifestyle plans. Plant-based items—including my following recommendations—can serve as easy ingredient replacements in popular seasonal recipes, appetizers, and cheese and charcuterie boards. Shop locally in Mollie Stone’s Markets where we strive to inspire deliciousness and make a di erence in people’s lives through food. Enjoy!

Plant-based Meat Alternatives

Entertain in style with a vegetarian center dish or vegan charcuterie board by substituting meat with plant-based options.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS: Try Beyond Meat Meatballs skewered on a toothpick with a cherry tomato and a bite size piece of Miyoko’s vegan mozzarella or make stu ed mushrooms with Tofurky Italian sausage. Several brands, such as Field Roast, Quorn, Tofurky, and Gardein o er turkey and ham style roasts as the perfect centerpiece for the holiday table.

NOTE: Adjust your cooking time according to the package instructions if using a frozen plant-based holiday roast.

Egg Replacement

Rather than using eggs in a cookie or pumpkin pie recipe, try unsweetened applesauce. Generally, ¼ cup applesauce substitutes for 1 egg. Just keep in mind the applesauce will also add sweetness and it may be necessary to reduce the recipe’s overall sugar.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS: Applesauce • ground flaxseed or chia seed • Bob’s Red Mill egg replacer

Gluten-free Breads, Breadcrumbs, Stung Mixes, and Crackers

My Recommendation: Bread

SRSLY Sourdough bread and dinner rolls • Aleia’s stung mix and breadcrumbs • Mary’s Gone Crackers or Stonewall crackers