How to renovate favorite side dishes to make them work for guests on special diets.
If you’re having people over this weekend, chances are someone is on a special diet: low-sodium, gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan. I’m one of those people, and I appreciate beyond words when my hosts take the extra effort to make things that I can eat. Otherwise, going to someone’s house is pretty stressful instead of fun.
With a few simple tweaks, you can shift what you always make to be more welcoming and serve more people.
1. Use eggless mayo. My favorite brand is Just Mayo because it’s also soy-free. Vegenaise makes a soy-free version as well. Use this in a simple potato salad with some brown mustard (choose one that’s low in sodium like Trader Joe’s), minced fresh dill, and celery. Set the salt shaker on the table for those who would like more salt.
Serves: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, low-sodium guests
2. Put the bacon on the side. Instead of cooking bacon into a dish liked baked beans, cook it separately, crumble, and set in a small bowl next to the dish. Then people can add it if they like.
Serves: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, low-sodium, lower-sugar guests
3. Skip the mayo and honey, rinse canned beans. For my three-bean-and-potato salad, I make a simple vinaigrette from agave syrup, extra-virgin olive oil, and apple cider vinegar. (Strict vegans can’t eat honey; you could also use brown rice syrup.)
This also is safe for picnics because it’s egg-free.
Choose lower-sodium canned beans; rinsing them thoroughly removes one-third the sodium.
Serves: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, low-sodium guests
Add some burgers (veggie too) and you’re good to go!
Search the Recipe Index for even more healthy side dishes! Happy Labor Day weekend!
Great tips! I think the bacon and salt on the side is what I’ll try to do on my next gathering. (lowers sodium and fat for me anyway). I always rinse my canned beans, even when I buy the ‘no salt added’ ones.