Suddenly it's Thanksgiving — a whole new challenge for anyone living with alpha-gal — or anyone cooking for alpha-gal folks. Fortunately, we've got plenty of alpha-gal friendly recipes that are holiday-worthy here on Cook the Vineyard. We've put together a suggested menu outline for you, with recipe choices in each category. It's a menu that works best for a small crowd - in fact it does double duty as a small Thanksgiving menu.
You'll notice we've centered it around a roast chicken. If you do want to cook a small turkey instead, you can use our recipe for Simple Roast Turkey with Pan Gravy and adapt it by coating the turkey with herbs and olive oil (instead of herb butter), and using chicken fat instead of butter for the roux to thicken the gravy. Take note: commercial turkeys are sometimes injected with flavoring ingredients that can be derived from mammalian products. Read the labeling carefully and check online if you are not sure before you purchase.
Please be sure to check out our Alpha-Gal Syndrome Recipe and Resource Guide if you haven't already. And you can find all of our alpha-gal friendly recipes in this handy index.
Choose a starter (or two!):
Oysters on the Half Shell “à la Cancalaise”
Tangerine-Thyme Marinated Olives
Japanese Vegetable Pancakes with Brussels Sprouts and Kimchi
Leek, Fennel, and Carrot Soup with Ginger and Coriander (Tip: Finish with Coconut Milk)
Include a salad course (or not!):
Endive & Radicchio Salad with Blood Oranges, Avocado (Tip: leave out the chickpeas)
Build-Your-Own Winter Holiday Salad
Kale Salad with Sweet Potato Fries and Blackberry-Lime Dressing
Michael Brisson’s Warm Salad of Autumn Greens with Beach Plum Vinaigrette
The Bird - Roast a Chicken:
Simple Roast Chicken with Pan Gravy or Lemon Herb Sauce (Tip: use chicken fat instead of butter with the flour to thicken gravy)
Choose a compote or chutney (optional):
Cranberry Citrus Compote (Tip: use organic cane sugar)
Vineyard Rhubarb Chutney with Dried Cranberries or Cherries
Choose a potato and a veg:
Crispy Smashed Potatoes (Tip: make ahead and reheat after chicken comes out of oven)
Caramelized Sweet Potato Halves with Custom Toppings (Tip: make everything ahead; reheat sweet potatoes in microwave, rewarm toppings if necessary in saute pan)
Stir-Fried Brussels Sprouts with Shiitakes and Garlic Chips
Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Smoky Tomato Rub
Make an alpha-gal friendly dessert:
Coconut Cinnamon Cake (Tip: make with organic brown sugar, dark chocolate, and no glaze)
Carrot Cake Cupcakes (Tip: use organic cane sugar, serve without frosting*)
Pumpkin Ginger Cranberry Quickbread Cupcakes (Tip: use organic cane sugar) *
*Either could be topped with a vegan buttercream or vegan cream cheese frosting or drizzled with warm maple syrup.
