Holiday goodies for gotta-bes

It's time to show up with a little something. As Mom always said, "Don't go to a friend's with one arm as long as the other."  

However, we have a small dilemma: it has never been so hard to please; the assortment of dietary preferences and restrictions has ballooned, and recipients have no problem voicing their requirements. But at the same time, there is nothing quite like a treat made by your own hands. 

So this year, for the Passage's annual tie-on-your apron post, several gotta-be recipes and products.  

Gotta Be Gluten-Free

Gluten-Free Fudgesicles

These fudgesicles from Nicole of Gluten-Free on a Shoestring are so good everyone will snarfle them. Only four ingredients! (She uses Scharffen Berger cocoa, so it's not exactly on a shoestring, but the quality shines forth.) You need a popsicle mold and wooden sticks, supplied with most, or you can re-up the sticks here or in the crafts section of a dollar store. A fun treat to make with a child. 

Note: Nicole is an astonishingly inventive gluten-free cook. If you love someone that much, you can make them gluten-free Fruit Loop cereal.

Gotta Be Organic and Sugar-Free

Roasted figs with creme fraîche

Photo: Davidlebovitz.com

For my most finicky friend, I roasted a pan of plump fresh organic figs using David Lebovitz' recipe, flavouring them with a splash of red wine (organic) and a pinch of dried thyme. I gave them with creme fraîche from a local store—or that can be made at home too. 

If you serve the figs as a dessert, quarter but don't cut through one to one and a half per person, and dress with dollop of the creme and a sprinkle of chopped pistachios. The figs can also be served as a savoury accompaniment to roasted meats or vegetables.

Gotta Be Vegan

Mango Chutney

Photo: Vegan Richa

This spicy (or mild) mango chutney from Vegan Richa is the real deal, and can be made as a canned preserve or packaged in any container and eaten within a week or two. It is delicious on flatbread, spooned on a halved avocado, served as a dip, or added to a curry. The recipe allows you leeway with the level of heat, but I like this at least medium-hot.

Gotta Be ABC (Anything But Chocolate)

Almond Torte

Time was, no one I knew did not adore chocolate; now, the chocolate-avoidant abound. Be ready for them with Lee Ann Wilkes' delicious, dead easy, not super-sweet almond torte that does not involve any topping except crunchy sliced almonds. I've made it many times, and it's always complimented. 

Gotta Be Sober

Alcohol-Free Italian Beer

During the holiday season, for whatever reason, many are avoiding the let's-open-another reflex.

Recently, I was accidentally served a 0.0% beer, in a café—I mean, I ordered a beer and this is what they gave me. I was amazed how pleasing the Perroni Nastro Azzurro was; I didn't realize there was no alcohol in this flavourful, refreshing lager until those red zeros caught my eye.  

You can find this at some grocers or order online; Upside Drinks will ship for free to Quebec and Ontario on orders over $99; a six-pack of those chic cans is about $20. If Perroni isn't sold where you live, you might buy other zero or low-alcohol brands and test them. The Sober Carpenter, made in Montréal, consistently gets high ratings; they make craft beers that contain .05% or less alcohol, about as much as you find in  kombucha. A selection would be a great house gift.

I have not found a locally-available alcohol-free wine that I like, I'd rather drink sparkling water.  

Some persons who don't consume alcohol want nothing to do with even zero-alcohol beers, wines or spirits, so it's best to check first. Others enjoy mocktails; The Mindful Mocktail has some terrific options, such as a non-alcoholic Bailey's.  

As always, you have intriguing ideas, so please tell us what you're whipping up or ordering!