spice scented cranberry sauce

Thanksgiving is an angst-ridden cooking day for many people. Throw in a food allergy, and well, I can see how it can make for an even tougher situation. We have none of these issues in our family, though once you learn a thing or two, I think they're much easier to deal with than picky eaters who show up with their own box of Stove Top stuffing.

Isabella has been friends for a few years now with a little boy who has a cow's milk allergy. For those who've been with me for a while, you know how Oliver has been an inspiration in my recipes. While butter and dairy are a huge part of my cooking, I'm challenged in a good way to think differently of how to add flavor and texture.

Another little voice that I often find whispering sweet somethings in my ear is Shauna.

One word echoes in my mind when confronted with adapting or developing a recipe to make it tasty and safe for everyone to eat: yes.

That's all Shauna's doing.

Rather than fret over what I can't use, I focus on what I can. When you look at it that way, you begin to see there's a whole world of options. Take cranberry sauce for instance. Most homemade recipes are naturally gluten-free, like the one above that I created for my Relish Magazine blog.

Then there's this sweet potato, leek and ricotta souffle I posted last year.

And this creamed corn.

How about carrot fettucine with a lemon thyme butter sauce?

Don't forget dessert—this almond oat crumb topping just begs to be added to a fruit crisp.

Not only does food heal, it also bonds us in the most amazing ways. A few friends came together this week to share their favorite gluten-free recipes for Thanksgiving, so go visit Shauna for a cornucopia of inspiration. Then add her and Danny's new book, Gluten-Free Girl & the Chef to your holiday shopping list.

And don't forget, the most important ingredients at your table everyday are the people with whom you're breaking bread, be it gluten-free, dairy-free and what not.

Visit my Relish blog for more ideas and to get the directions for making my spice scented cranberry sauce.