Gluten Free Buffet

In the years before the diagnosis of our two coeliac children, one of our favourite treats was to eat out at a buffet style restaurant which had a huge array of food to select from. Since coeliac disease discovery day, we have not ventured to the restaurant, as we feel there is too much risk of gluten contamination.  We decided instead to start having our special treat at home, which has been a real winner!

For some reason the kids love having our gluten free buffet at home.  We are not sure whether it’s because we stray from our usually, all healthy ingredients, or because there is a choice in what they eat, or whether they like to eat it with their fingers (more often than not)!  Whatever the case, they are always excited when they discover that they are having our gluten free buffet for dinner.

Our gluten free buffet or smorgasboard is relatively easy to prepare and you can use whatever you like, as there are no right or wrongs!  Our ingredients usually vary, depending on how much time we have, what we have in the cupboard and fridge, and whether it is a special occasion or not (for special occasions we include some yummy extras).  It is not all healthy, but we think having a treat every now and then keeps life fun.  Just chop, cut, cook or prepare ingredients and place food in dishes or on plates with serving utensils for everyone to help themselves.  We always make sure everyone has clean washed hands before having this meal.

* Check that these options are gluten free

Mains Options:

• Cherry Tomatoes
• Corn
• Carrot
• Cucumber
• Mushroom
• Lettuce
• Hard Boiled Eggs
• Grated Cheese
• Corn Chips*
• Cocktail Frankfurts*
• Chips (oven baked)*
• Prawn crackers*
• Gluten free pasta
• Bolognese sauce*
• Bacon (diced and fried to make crispy)*
• Pappadums (are usually gluten free)*
• Crispy potato skins (scoop out cooked potato from the skin, leaving a thick layer of flesh attached to the skin – lightly toss in oil and season with gluten free seasoning and bake in the oven)
• Gluten free cheese toast (spread gluten free bread with margarine or butter and sprinkle parmesan cheese over top and grill or bake in the oven)
• Dip – hommus, corn relish dip or other*

• Salsa (to go with corn chips)*
• Peaches – tinned*
• Pineapple
• Oranges
• Mandarins
• Apple
• Grapes
• Blueberries
• Longan

Dessert Options:

• Banana
• Blueberries
• Stawberries
• Ice-cream*
• Custard (we use long life custard)*
• Jelly (is usually gluten free)*
• Meringues (are usually gluten free)*
• Marshmallows*
• Lollies or candy*
• Flavoured topping*
• Sprinkles (hundreds and thousands)*

Drink Options:

Sometimes we have a special drink with our meal

• Ice cream sodas or ‘spiders’ as we call them – creaming soda, lemonade or other soft drink* and ice-cream*
• Milky ‘sodas’ – milk with a scoop of ice-cream*
• Milk with flavoured straws*
• Juice*
• Juice with fruit chunks*
• Flavoured drink powder and milk or water*
• Cordial*