Whether in the backyard, at the beach, or at a neighborhood park, picnics are one of summer’s simple pleasures. But for those who are gluten-intolerant, even the nicest spread can be a bit of a minefield as they navigate foods to determine what’s safe to eat while also trying to avoid cross-contamination.
If gluten is an issue, consider making and taking one of these gluten-free recipes. Be sure to label your dish as a courtesy to others and, if possible, establish an area for gluten-free foods with dedicated utensils to avoid cross-contamination (see box).
The Dangers of Double-Dipping
Condiments and dips are a common source of cross-contamination at picnics and other gatherings. Often there’s only one knife to spread condiments on gluten-free and non-gluten-free breads and people may dip non-gluten-free chips or breads into dips.
To be safe, bring condiments in squeeze bottles and create labels for dips indicating they’re to be enjoyed exclusively with gluten-free chips, bread, and the utensils provided.
Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Drizzle
Ingredients
Cherry tomatoes
Fresh basil leaves
Mini-mozzarella balls
Gluten-free balsamic glaze
Directions
- Skewer the tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella on toothpicks.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
Chicken and Apple Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
3 cups grilled chicken, cut into strips or shredded
2 medium sweet apples such as Honey Crisp or Gala, cored and thinly sliced
Romaine or butter lettuce separated into a dozen or so loose leaves
Gluten-free Dijon mustard
Directions
- Fill lettuce leaves with the prepared chicken and apples.
- Top with a dollop of mustard to taste. If you find the mustard too strong, you can thin it with mayonnaise or Greek yogurt to taste.
Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salsa
Ingredients
2 ears of grilled corn, kernels removed from cobs
2 cups of canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1 large tomato, diced
1 medium red onion, diced
1-2 tablespoons of lime juice
Fresh cilantro, chopped to taste
Directions:
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Adjust lime and cilantro to your taste.
- Serve with gluten-free tortilla chips.