Gluten-Free Food and Tips for the Super Bowl

It’s the Friday before the Super Bowl, which for me (and I’m sure many of you) means it’s time to figure out what I’m going to feed the crowd. Typically, I crank out some nachos, the boys order a pizza, and we’re set. But when you or a fellow football fan is gluten-free, snacktime takes a bit more planning. Fortunately, blogs have been parading their gluten-free Super Bowl recipes and tips for the past week, so there are plenty of options to keep everyone happy.

If you’re looking to step up your game, try some of Chef Oonagh Williams’ gourmet Super Bowl recipes in NFCA’s Seasonal Gluten-Free Recipe Box.  Gluten-Free Buffalo Chicken Soup puts a new spin on the beloved dip, and by serving it in bowls you can avoid the risk of cross-contamination. Pair it with Oonagh’s Savory Cheesy Bread and no one will miss the gluten.

Oonagh's Gluten-Free Savory Cheese Bread

For a more traditional feast, try Ranch Sliders, Mediterranean Seven Layer Dip, BBQ Chicken Pizza or Mini Mac & Cheese Cakes. Foodista also has a quick list of some classic and not-so-classic gluten-free Super Bowl recipes (where do you buy green sesame seeds?).

Gluten-Free BBQ Chicken Pizza from our blogger friend ATX Gluten-Free!

Of course, you have to wash that all that food down. While I prefer to reach for a cider, beer drinkers in Colorado can rejoice in a new gluten-free option from New Planet Beer. The company unveiled Off Grid Pale Ale earlier this week. Anyone outside the distribution area can still swill a gluten-free brew (Redbridge and Bard’s are among the popular choices), and it looks like gluten-free Super Bowl attendees will be right there with them: New Planet’s blog reports that Cowboys Stadium is BYO when it comes to gluten-free goods.

Menu planned. Food purchased. Now the only question is, where’s the party at? If you’re hosting at home, you’ll probably have more control over cross-contamination risks. At a friend’s house, gluten particles could be lurking on something as harmless as a veggie plate. To help you avoid an unpleasant second half, Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery posted some tips from a recent NFCA webinar. Keep these pointers in mind, especially when the party isn’t strictly gluten-free.

Got any tips or dips to share? Post a comment below!

-Cheryl

Simply the Bast

What is it like to be President and Founder of NFCA?  I must say that it’s a total blast. I’m a learner and a healer at heart, so I relish the opportunity to  come into work and take on chronic disease issues every day.

When I started NFCA, I was told I could never raise awareness of celiac disease because there was no pharmaceutical support from drug companies.  Well, my first thought was, Watch me. I wanted to ensure that gluten-free food was everywhere; I felt compelled to stop needless suffering; and I’m proud of the work NFCA is doing in both of those areas.

Love these shoes!

Now, do I only think about celiac disease?  No… I have lots of outside interests. I love sports and exercise, especially hiking.  I enjoy being in nature, and I love to have fun!

But celiac disease always is in the back of my mind. Take this weekend for instance. I’ll start with Sunday night and work backwards…

Look to the right. Those shoes? They’re mine. I love to make a statement, and these turned out to be quite a conversation starter at my buddy Dick Moberg’s birthday party last Sunday. People kept coming up to comment on my shoes. But did the conversation end there? Nope.  Needless to say, I somehow managed to hand out every “Do I Have Celiac?” brochure that I had in my purse.

Go Navy!

Sometimes, that’s the best way to spread the word: a casual conversation and–Bam!–someone knows someone who might have celiac disease and, yes, they’d like to snag a brochure.

On Saturday, I attended the Army/Navy football game in Philadelphia. (I know, I know. It’s been a sport-astic week for NFCA.) My dad attended the US Naval Academy, Class of 1949, so we attend the Army/Navy game each year. Unfortunately, he died of cancer (another reason why I’m so vested in disease prevention), but we like to carry on the family tradition.

Whole branzino

This year, we won!  Yippie! My favorite part, though, may have been the goat. No, not a real goat. The mascot.

After the game on Saturday, I had a fabulous dinner that was – you guessed it – gluten-free and healthy!

I ordered a whole branzino that was served tableside. So delicious. So nutritious. I challenge anyone to eat a meal like this and still say gluten-free doesn’t taste good.

Yum!

I’m a staunch believer in the fact that our environment, especially our food supply, is tightly connected to our overall health and well-being.  Our society puts heavy emphasis on medications and prescriptions, but I believe treatment can also come on a plate.

And if that plate is speckled with sauce and capers, well, bring it on.

So, to summarize… My name is Bast, I have a blast, and I like bass!

-Alice

Learn more:

• Gluten-Free Recipe of the Week
• Athletes for Awareness

Touchdown Sunday

Every Sunday (and Monday and Thursday nights for that matter) you’ll most likely find me permanently attached to my couch watching football. I am borderline psychotic about the NFL: watching it, reading about it, playing fantasy football online – the whole shebang!

My love of football is so insane that, as a single young female, I often fascinate and frighten most eligible young men I meet. I think it’s probably my tendency to scream loudly at the television……

Ravens vs. Steelers Live - Sure Beats The Couch!

My appetite for the sport comes from my mom and dad who, despite having three daughters, still felt the need to impart their own intense passion for the game onto me – I’m like the son they never had!

I’ve even had an opportunity to actually WORK in the industry, spending time on the sidelines of many incredible games (and Super Bowls!) with CBS Sports and the NFL Network.

So when my oldest and dearest friend Lauren received free tickets to Sunday’s Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game I was elated to say the least!

Tailgating in 20 Degrees

Here are a few shots of my Sunday adventure. Needless to say, it was COLD! But for stadium seats to watch one of the biggest and best rivalries in the NFL, donning 3 pairs of pants was a small sacrifice.

Tailgating in a heated hospitality tent also helped 😉

And while enjoying my weekend of rabid fandom, NFCA wasn’t far from my mind. I was sure to check the gluten-free offerings at M & T Bank Stadium before leaving for Baltimore. Although I don’t need to eat gluten-free, I am always checking GF menus online out of sheer habit.  I was thrilled to discover Raven’s Stadium does in fact serve a handful of celiac friendly items such as Redbridge beer and pretzels.

Now next time we go, Lauren and I can bring Kristin (a fellow NFL fan) along too!

-Whitney