Easter is right around the corner and if you plan on hosting Easter brunch, lunch or even dinner, you might also be planning with dietary restrictions in mind. Here’s how to design an Easter menu for every “bunny” on your guest list.
Note: When it comes to planning a menu for multiple guests with a variety of dietary restrictions, a good rule of thumb is to include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables as most diets and lifestyle choices are open to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Dairy-Free
In order to accommodate dairy-free guests, be sure to include dairy-free milk options such as almond, cashew, coconut, hemp or oat. Create the ultimate cheese and cracker platter with dairy-free cheeses and almond flour crackers. Some of our favorite dairy-free recipes perfect for Easter include:
Beet Hummus, Avocado and Micro Greens Cracker Bites
Pesto, Tomato and Black Olive Cracker Bites
Cauliflower Beet and Kale Pizza
Egg-Free
When hosting guests who avoid eating eggs, try preparing your Easter dishes with a flax egg substitute instead of real eggs. Simply mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water. Gently mix together then set in the fridge for 15-30 minutes or until the mixture has thickened. Use one flaxseed for each egg your recipe calls for so guests can still enjoy Easter dishes. Try this easy egg-free dessert: Easter Cracker Toffee
Gluten-Free
Found in many grains and wheat by-products like barley, rye and wheat barley, gluten is a protein that acts as a binder, which gives elasticity to bread and pasta. Individuals who choose to avoid gluten should stick to gluten-free grains like millet, quinoa and sorghum. Some great gluten-free recipes for your gluten-free Easter guests include:
Asparagus Radish Tart
Bunny Pancakes
Carrot Bundt Cake
Grain-Free
Going grain-free means replacing grains such as barley, corn, oats, rice and wheat with other plant-based options like almond, arrowroot, cassava, chia seeds, coconut, flax, hemp and sunflower seeds. Be sure to replace conventional crackers with our crackers or another plant-based food like nuts and seeds or even fresh vegetable sticks. Serve a bowl or two of these crunchy classics with a delicious homemade dip or spread like this Turmeric Vegan Sunshine Hummus or try these four quick and easy cracker recipes.
Paleo
Easter guests who observe a Paleo lifestyle have embraced a dairy-free, gluten-free and grain-free lifestyle while avoiding highly processed oils and sugars. When cooking for Paleo guests, stick to recipes and dishes that contain whole food ingredients like:
Mini Veggie Quiches
Pulled Jackfruit “Chicken” Salad
Turkey Tomato Collard Green Wraps
Vegetarian
Vegetarians have chosen to omit their daily diets of animal protein sources such as meat, poultry and even fish. When serving Vegetarian Easter guests, try including a variety of plant-based dishes like Green Salad with Sprouted Seed Falafels, Beet Ginger Coconut Milk Soup or Sprouted Sunflower Seed Kale Pesto.
Vegan
Vegans avoid all animal products including animal fats, eggs, dairy products, meat and sometimes even other animal by-products like honey. When preparing an Easter meal for Vegan house guests, try these recipes:
Cheesy Vegan Broccoli Soup
Golden Beet Carrot Gazpacho
Vegan Carrot “Cheese” Dip
Don’t forget dessert! Try these Easter egg sugar cookies, Egg Nest Mini Cheesecakes , or Carrot Topped Cupcakes.
Cooking for Easter guests with dietary restrictions doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple with these easy tips and recipes. What are you waiting for? “Hop” to it!