Gluten free is thought to be one of the most difficult types of diets to shop for and to cook for. However, a gluten-free diet often yields itself quite well to a gourmet menu. Let’s look at some of the choices for a full day of meals that are both gluten free and have a certain gourmet appeal:

Breakfast

This is the time of day that is meant for a gluten free diet. Many foods are naturally gluten free, and when they are not, you’ll often find direct substitutes to make the ingredients work for you. The first food we think of for breakfast is eggs. Eggs are a naturally gluten-free food. Other essentials you may consider for a gourmet frittata include ingredients like onions, cheese, chicken sausage, pancetta, and asparagus. Fill up an omelet with veggies and meats and not only do you have a healthy breakfast that is extremely filling, but you can enjoy this gourmet feast while remaining gluten free.

Sweet and Salty Snacks

Treats and snacks, especially sweet ones, can be tricky for the gluten-free diet. If you’re limiting your snacking to fruits and nuts, take heart. There is no reason you should have to keep the same old boring snacks on hand when there are so many ways to go gourmet. Using gluten-free baking ingredients, you can make a chocolate dipped almond biscotti or even amaretti cookies. The same goes for salty snacks. Don’t just grab a gluten-free bag of corn chips. Give your salty snack a gourmet style and taste. Mix up wonderfully flavorful dips and spreads using Greek yogurt, natural peanut butter, and fresh avocado, lime, and a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and spices. Gluten-free snacking means fresh, whole ingredients which lends itself very well to a gourmet treat.

Salads

Probably the easiest to adapt to a gluten-free diet are salads. All vegetables are considered gluten free, so making a fresh salad that is out of this world is extremely easy to do. But, you don’t want to linger in salad boredom day after day using the same old tired vegetables. To bump up the gourmet factor, try some of the following ingredients in your next salad:

mango
almonds
jicama slaw
feta cheese
shallots
lentils
lime
remoulade sauce
fennel
cumin

These are just a few items to think about the next time you go salad shopping. There are literally thousands of variations you can create with gluten-free salad ingredients; you just need to stop thinking about what you’ve always used, and start thinking ‘gourmet.’

Entrees

Just think fresh, fresh, fresh, and you’ll be on your way to developing a menu of meals that are not only gluten free, but gourmet, as well. Wholesome ingredients like fresh fish, lamb, beef, seafood, and chicken will get you started. Fresh vegetables and fruits used in unusual ways will give your entrees a decidedly gourmet flare. Many Asian inspired dishes lend very well to a gluten free main course. A spicy Thai-style lettuce wrap followed by lime and ginger smothered Hawaiian chicken can make for a great gourmet dinner or lunch. Take a gourmet vacation around the world with gluten-free dishes based on many cultural cooking styles. This is a wide-open arena for cooking gluten-free and gourmet at the same time. Just look at the great foods you can eat on a gluten-free diet and use them in new ways. That’s what gourmet cooking is all about.

Desserts

Passing on the usual cakes, cookies, and pies isn’t difficult on a gluten-free diet when you have so many other gourmet options available. How much more gourmet can you get than a decadent dessert like chocolate covered fruit? Try a variety of fruit dipped in a chocolate shell coating. Or for something more exotic, try making a balsamic reduction and drizzle over a medley of berries. You could also make a sweet frozen yogurt with pomegranates or other fun fruit. If you are striving for an over-the-top gluten-free gourmet dessert, make a dulce de leche crème brulee using condensed milk, vanilla, sugar, eggs and a pinch of salt. It’s simple and oh so gourmet!

Eating gluten-free doesn’t mean giving up your gourmet tastes. In many ways, the foods that are gluten-free are the ingredients most desirable in gourmet cooking. Think about the freshest, most colorful and flavorful food items in your grocery store and you’ll find a wealth of gluten-free ingredients among them. Now just mix them up and use your imagination to create your gourmet gluten-free day.