Lactose-free, Christmas menu

Starters
Begin the meal with a Cranberry and Pecan Salad, which is easy to prepare and bursting with holiday flavors. To make it, take a bowl, add some mixed greens, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and sliced red onions. Drizzle some olive oil and balsamic vinegar over it, then toss and serve.

Another excellent lactose-free starter is Pumpkin Soup. Take a pumpkin, cut it into wedges and sprinkle them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast them in the oven until they are soft. In a separate pan, sauté some chopped onions and garlic, then add vegetable broth and the roasted pumpkin. Cook for 10-15 minutes until everything is tender. Using a blender or an immersion blender, puree the mixture until it’s creamy. Add some salt, pepper, and a pinch of cinnamon, and your delicious soup is ready.

Main Course
For the main course, try a Prime Rib Roast with rosemary-garlic sauce, which is a perfect centerpiece for your holiday table. To prepare, preheat your oven to 450°F, then season your beef roast with salt and pepper. Roast it for 15-20 minutes, then lower the temperature to 325°F and continue roasting until it’s cooked to your desired degree of doneness. In a separate pan, sauté some garlic and rosemary in olive oil, then add some beef broth. Cook until it thickens, then serve it atop your roast.

Another great option for a lactose-free Christmas menu is Maple Glazed Turkey. To make it, you’ll need to create a glaze by whisking maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and olive oil in a bowl. Brush it over your turkey and bake in the oven until it’s golden brown. Baste it occasionally with the remaining glaze to keep it juicy.

Sides
No holiday meal is complete without some tasty side dishes. Consider adding a Roasted Vegetable Medley to your menu, which is easy to make and packed with nutrients. To prepare, take some sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, beets, and red onions, and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast them in the oven for about 30 minutes. Once they are cooked, sprinkle some fresh thyme over them and serve.

Another great lactose-free side dish is Green Beans with Almonds and Garlic. Take some fresh green beans and clean them. Blanch in boiling water until they turn bright green, then plunge them into ice water. In a pan, sauté some garlic and sliced almonds with olive oil, then add the green beans, season with salt and pepper and toss everything together.

Desserts
For a sweet finish to your lactose-free Christmas menu, serve a classic holiday favorite – Gingerbread Cake. Mix together flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt in one bowl. In another bowl, mix some molasses, coconut oil, water, and egg. Mix both bowls, then pour the batter into a greased cake pan and bake it in the oven. Once it’s cooked, serve with brushings of maple syrup.

Another tasty option is Apple Pie, which can also be made lactose-free by using vegetable-based shortening instead of butter. Make your dough by combining flour, sugar, salt, and the shortening; then add ice water to form a firm dough. Roll it out and place the bottom in a pie dish. In another bowl, mix sliced apples, tapioca flour, vanilla, lemon juice, and a pinch of cinnamon. Pour the mixture into the pie dish, top with another rolled-out piecrust and bake in the oven.

In conclusion, it is possible to have a delicious and lactose-free Christmas menu that everyone will enjoy. Simple, stress-free recipes can help you to achieve a festive, satisfying meal without skimping on flavor. Happy holidays!