Entertaining 101: Grazing Boards

As food intolerances and dietary restrictions become increasingly common, it can be difficult to make food to please every guest. Charcuterie boards are a staple of cocktail parties, afternoons entertaining in the backyard, and everything in between. Since adopting a plant-based lifestyle a few years back, meat and cheese were no longer in the cards for me. Did I mention my dad is lactose intolerant and celiac?! Yeah, we had to get creative to please everyone… If this sounds anything like you or your family and friends, look no further for delicious inspiration to have all your guests coming back for more!

The Gluten Free Boards

GF isn’t as scary as it seems…

Nowadays grocery stores are full of gluten free cracker alternatives that taste just as good as the options containing gluten. Mary’s Gone Crackers Real Thins Sea Salt , Snack Factory’s gluten free pretzel minis, and gluten free Breton’s are some of my top choices.

If you’re dealing with someone who is celiac or intolerant to gluten, be sure to check labels on items such as dips, jams, even nuts for sneaky ingredients that make them unfriendly to GF eaters.

The Vegetarian Board

Think a classic charcuterie minus the salami and deli meats. Here we have a variety of cheeses (including some for those with lactose intolerances - ie. sheep or goat based cheeses), fresh vegetables, olives, mixed nuts, and dips. I opted for a tzatziki and beet hummus, but some my other favourites include a classic hummus, babaganoush, and roasted red pepper dip. Fortunately, grocery stores carry lactose free and vegan options for these dips swapping cream and milk for cashew or tofu bases.

If you plan on making a meal of different grazing boards, I love adding heartier items such as flatbreads, baked cauliflower bites, or falafel bites - all of these have variations that can be made gluten free and vegan friendly!

The Sweet

Dessert boards, like any other grazing board, are entirely customizable to your palette, the season, or your entertaining needs. This board was summer inspired featuring a coconut yogurt dip, fresh fruits, and homemade gluten-free caramel squares, coconut macaroons, and jam tarts. For those looking for something more decadent, think brownie squares, biscotti, dipped pretzel sticks, a chocolate sauce for dipping, and swapping the tropical fruits for additional berries, cherries, figs, and plums.

Tip: Squeezing a little lemon over fresh cut fruit prevents browning and keeps the fruit looking and tasting fresher longer!

Easy Gluten Free Caramel Squares

Ingredients

• 1 cup gluten-free flour blend (I use Bob’s Red Mill 1:1)

• 3/4 tsp baking powder

• 1/8 tsp salt

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter

• 1 cup light brown sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 bag of crushed Skor

Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in small bowl, mix thoroughly and set aside.

Melt butter in small saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar. With a wooden spoon, beat in the egg and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture.

Spread the mixture into a 9x9” square baking pan lined with foil and lightly greased. Sprinkle the top with Skor. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until top is golden and edges have pulled away from sides of the pan. Cool in the pan on a rack. When cooled, transfer to cutting board and using a long, sharp knife to cut into 16 squares.

The Vegan Board

Vegan without the faux meat and cheese.

This is entirely personal preference, but I tend to sway in the whole-food vegan direction, so this board does not have the seitan meat or copy-cat brie. Here we feature an assortment of fruits, vegetables, crackers, a beet hummus, mixed nuts, and homemade coconut macaroons and chocolate-covered almond inspired cookies.

Notable items I like to incorporate when entertaining a larger group include a classic hummus, tofu-based dips, bruschetta, and falafel or other bean-based bites for a more filling addition.

Chocolate-Covered Almond Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond butter

• 1/2 cup coconut sugar

• 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax seed + 3 tbsp water)

• 2 tbsp cocoa powder

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (we used Enjoy Life)

• 1/4 cup chopped roasted almonds

Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix almond butter with coconut sugar until smooth. Add the flax egg, cocoa powder, baking powder, and vanilla and stir until well combined. Using a spatula, fold in the chocolate chips and chopped almonds.

Form 1 tablespoon-sized dough balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake for 15 minutes, until edges are slightly crisp. Let cool and enjoy!

Yields 12-14 cookies.