A very vegan Christmas
Everything you need for the perfect free from Christmas dinner. Whether you’re vegetarian or vegan, gluten or dairy free, low fodmap or don’t eat refined sugars I’ve got everything you need to see you through the festive period and make the most delicious ‘free from’ options, that you’d never ever know were different.
Every delicious recipe is vegan, gluten free and refined sugar free. Plus there’s nut free and low fodmap options.
Breakfast
Gluten free crumpets
Surprisingly easy to make and so much more delicious than any store bought gluten free bread product you might be used to.
Festive granola
Start the day with the gentle warmth of festive spices with this beautifully crunchy, chocolatey granola.
Mint choc chip chia pudding
I absolutely love the combination of mint and chocolate. Granted, it’s not for everyone, but for me it’s one of the loveliest sweet and fresh flavour combos around. You can enjoy this little pudding for dessert, as an afternoon energy booster or you could even have it for breakfast if you feel like it.
LAMINGTON PANCAKES WITH A HOT FUDGE SAUCE
Chocolate and coconut are a match made in heaven. The Aussies have got it just right with their delicious treat, 'lamingtons'. Traditionally they are made of two little square layers of sponge, a layer of jam sandwiched in between, dipped in chocolate then rolled in desiccated coconut; is your mouth watering yet? I've used that winning flavour combination as inspiration for these glorious pancakes. These will make a wonderful weekend brunch or a totally delicious dessert. I hope you love them. Now, go getcho flip on!
Christmas dinner
Garlic, rosemary and sage roast potatoes.
Roast spuds are a staple part of every Christmas meal or Sunday lunch. This is a really easy and adaptable recipe that you can, in part, make in advance the day before to free up time on Christmas Day.
Chestnut and butternut squash roast.
A delicious Christmas main for a vegetarian or vegan option (also gluten free and low fodmap).
Maple and clementine glazed carrots.
This is a super easy recipe that you can make from start to finish in about 20 minutes. Additionally, by using the hob instead of slow roasting, it frees up oven space when you're doing the inevitable Christmas shuffle of trying to fit all the roasting trays in to oven at one time, and faffing around trying to see if your grill also works as a top oven when things get desperate, just me? Never mind.
Low fodmap vegan gluten-free gravy
If you have food allergies, intolerances and/or digestive issues, finding a gravy that ticks all the boxes can be pretty tricky - if not near impossible. I’ve created a gravy that is packed full of flavour, gluten free, suitable for vegetarians and vegans and is low fodmap.
You can also make this recipe in advance, freeze it in a zip lock bag ready to use on Christmas Day, or to accompany a veggie roast whenever you fancy.
Low fodmap vegan mashed potatoes
This makes the creamiest mash with a mixture of Maris pipers and sweet potatoes, that can be enjoyed by everyone - especially anyone following a low fodmap eating plan as it’s really gentle on your system.
The perfect roast parsnips
Soft, not soggy, sweet and salty and so very easy to make.
Brussels sprouts and pomegranate side salad
This makes a lovely alternative to the token soggy sprouts added to the plate as a Christmas necessity. This is light and adds a beautiful contrast of freshness amongst the rich festive foods.
You can make this the day before or earlier in the day on Christmas and leave in the fridge until you’re ready to serve
Mint choc chip ice cream
What’s your favourite ice cream flavour? For me, it has to be mint choc chip 💚 I’ve been working on perfecting a really simple vegan (gf, rfs) ice cream recipe for quite a wee while - it’s a good’un and can easily be adapted to suit your favourite flavours.
If mint choc chip isn’t up your street, don’t you worry. Use the coconut whipping cream (or coconut milk + xanthan gum) and coconut sugar as the base for all your favourite ice cream flavours. Add simple vanilla, melted dark chocolate, fresh fruit or any flavour combinations you adore to the blender, taste and adjust if necessary
Chocolate fondants
Little pots of melty, chocolate wonder - just the perfect chocolate pud for any occasion. A beautiful chocolate sponge on the outside and a molten explosion of chocolate truffle ganache in the middle.
Mince pie raw cake
If you don’t live in the U.K. and can’t shop at HTK, you can make your own treats at home.
Yule log
A beautiful, rich and decadent dessert to make Christmas a little more magical for anyone with intolerances ✨
Chocolate and hazelnut tarts with a runny caramel centre
You are going to LOVE these. *M & S advert voice* “a chocolatey hazelnut tart topped with a rich, creamy chocolate ganache, and once you crack through the crisp swirls of chocolate you’ll find a pool of runny coconut caramel. This is not just any ole tart, this is a Holly tree kitchen tart” ha! Some of the best foods to eat, are always the messiest. The runny caramel pours out of these after you take your first bite. They are rich, but not sickly sweet and utterly heavenly.
Blueberry crisp
Somewhere between a fruit crumble and a cobbler, you reach the delicious blueberry crisp. This takes 5 minutes to throw together, and uses just 6 natural ingredients. it really couldn’t be easier
Ferrero Rocher raw cake
Make your own HTK raw cake at home.
Self saucing chocolate pudding
A light and fluffy chocolate pudding with puddles of hot fudge chocolate sauce.
Snacks and treats
New York style cookies
Santa will be thrilled if you leave a plate of these beauts by the chimney
Inspired by the ever blossoming trend of deliciously decadent, pillowy soft New York style cookies, I’ve given them a vegan and gluten free twist that you lot are going to love. With this simple recipe, you can make a big ole batch of cookie dough balls, store them in the freezer and bake a fresh cookie or two whenever you fancy a proper treat
Candied nuts
Honey roast cashews were always a favourite Christmas snack of mine. The combination of salty and sweet and the crunch of roasted nuts works so beautifully. However, at the minute they aren’t something I can eat so I thought I’d try to rustle up a variation, that’s as delicious as the original, but something that I’d be able to eat without aggravating my symptoms. These do just the trick.
I hope you love them as much as I do.
Christmas crunch bars
These chocolatey bars of joy are sure to become a real festive favourite. Think rocky road, meets cornflake cake, with a ‘free from twist’. You can switch out the nuts, seeds and dried fruit that I’ve used, for any of your favourites to really make this lovely treat your own.
BBQ Chickpeas
Happy snacking. Crunchy, sweet, salty and as spicey as you like. These little snacks are protein packed and so moorish. If you’re about the low fodmap life stick to a 1/4 cup serving size. If chickpeas aren’t a symptom trigger for you, then eat them freely. And enjoy fully.
Eat on their own as a snack, add to salads and Buddha bowls or scatter on top of soup
Twinkle twinkle little star biscuits
Pretty, totally delicious, easy to make and dunkable! What more could you want?
Chocolate truffles
These are the easiest and most ridiculously delicious vegan, refined sugar free truffles. Use the basic recipe to make truffles that are incredibly rich, not too sickly sweet and bursting with flavour. Or have fun experimenting with different flavour combinations as suggested.