Spiridakis - Celebrate: The Gluten-Free Holiday Table

All photographs and text copyright Nicole Spiridakis, 2015. No part of this book may be copied, reproduced, or excerpted without written permission of the author.

After the Thanksgiving dishes have been cleared and neatly stowed the rush is on toward the end of the year. The holidays patter in on a soft blizzard of sugarand snow, if youre so luckyand wrapping paper and cozy mornings with or without a fire in the fireplace. Hot chocolate and sparkling wine and lots of cookies and peppermint-scented afternoons should see us festively through.

This cookbook, full of naturally gluten-free recipes, is intended to give you a template for holiday breakfasts, brunches, lunch, and dinner, plus loads of desserts for afternoon tea, morning coffee, or just because. Its organized by meal, and both the lunch and dinner sections contain a set menu that can be made exactly as written or you can mix and match. There are a few traditional-ish dishes included but most are what I consider to be my favorite winter meals: homey, comforting, nourishing, yet also on the celebratory side. These are dishes youll be proud to serve on Christmas morning or New Years Eve or simply for Friday night supper.

Theres also a robust dessert section with recipes for delicious sweets such as a cheesecake topped with lemon curd, a delicately spiced cinnamon-sugar cake, and more. Chocolate makes a strong showing in recipes for flourless chocolate cake bitesperfect with cups of afternoon tea when unexpected guests drop byand a luscious chocolate cream pie. And there is of course a section just for cookies: simple sugar cookies dusted with orange zest and nutmeg, chewy molasses cookies, sesame-maple cookies, lavender shortbread All just happen to be naturally gluten-free and all are sure to find a place in your holiday recipe repertoire.

The ingredients called are easily accessible at your neighborhood grocery store and you probably already have many in your pantry. These are recipes to inspire cozy afternoons in the kitchen baking for friends or just for yourself. Try packaging up a plate of cookies or an assortment of candies and wrapping them prettily for the ultimate homemade holiday gift. Or plan a slew of holiday brunches; youre sure to find a variety of recipes here to suit any occasion.

My favorite way to celebrate the season is to gather around the table with good food and cheer. I hope some of these recipes will make it onto your tables as well.

Wishing you and yours peaceful and happy holidays cheers!

Theres something so cozy about a holiday brunch. Perhaps youll invite the neighbors over for late morning waffles, baked oatmeal, and scones spread with homemade jam. If youre early risers, a tall stack of buckwheat pancakes and fluffy scrambled eggs will start your day off on the right note. Even on the busiest mornings taking a moment to savor a slice of banana bread and a cup of tea will get you in the spirit. Make sure theres plenty of hot coffee and chocolate plus a few sweet treats to lend a holidayish touch.