Holidays are always overwhelming with food related questions. What to make? What to give? And what should we cook for the holiday dinner? Here are my recipes that I use throughout the holiday season, including cookies, truffles, and bars that you can use as holiday gifts. Also, I have Christmas recipes for entertaining, as well as what to cook for Christmas dinner from starters, appetizers, and main-course to sides and desserts. There’s something for everyone.
How to plan a festive dinner?
Plan your Thanksgiving menu before you start shopping. That way, you avoid over-shopping or forgetting to buy the necessary items. Also, decide how many people are going to be at the dinner table so you don’t have to recalculate your menu over and over again. In addition, plan for at least 2 extra servings, so you don’t run short. It’s always better to have a few leftovers than to run short at dinner. Then, choose a theme or style that is not too contrasting. For example, if you choose to make a Middle Eastern style main course, don’t make a French-style side dish or appetizer. Because, while they may be absolutely delicious on their own, often these flavors don’t complement each other. And choose dishes that look pretty, colorful, and offer a variety of textures and tastes. Also, make a few classics for those who are more conservative. And try a few new recipes so people get something different. As a result, they will remember it a long time later. Don’t repeat the main ingredients. For example,if you are making one main-course lamb (red meat), make the other turkey, chicken, or fish. Or, if you choose one pumpkin pie, don’t make the second dessert with pumpkin or pie. Instead, try an apple cake, brownies, etc. Also, give a mix of different textures. For example, if you make mashed potatoes don’t make mashed peas. Rather, try oven-baked casseroles or roasted asparagus or sautéed carrots. Try to use as many make-ahead dishes as you can such as desserts, side dishes, and appetizers. That way, you can concentrate on the main course and set the table. Most importantly, make sure to take into account those in the family with special dietary needs, and allergies, such as vegan, or egg and dairy allergies. And, if you are new to cooking, choose recipes that are easy and you are confident making or have tried before. And if you are a seasoned cook, choose 70% tried and tested recipes. In addition, choose two to three that will stretch your cooking skills. Don’t skip salads, bread, and condiments. In fact, bread is easy to make or buy ahead. And salads add color and texture to the dinner table. Also, condiments are often what people need to add a little something to their main dishes, like cranberry sauce with roast turkey or chicken. Lastly, make sure to offer your guests drinks and appetizers that will encourage mingling. This is especially important when you have guests that don’t know each other. For example, pre-snacks such as chips with salsa, cheese and crackers are a great way to build an appetite. But too much of that can also become unnecessary fillers. If you have guests that like to keep things healthy, try substituting some of the dishes with healthier options. For example, instead of making mashed potatoes make skinny mashed potato or a sweet potato casserole. Try roasted squash salad or green bean casserole. And, when possible, use yogurt instead of sour cream, or maple and honey instead of sugar. Try cranberries instead of raisins. And if you are a small family, make turkey breast instead of the whole roast turkey. Or make a roast chicken or roast beef.
50+ Christmas cookie recipes
Since we always start with baking Christmas cookies first. I have over 50 wonderful holiday cookie recipes and many of those are great for the Christmas cookie platter. But, let me share with you my favorite collection of holiday cookie recipes.
8 Christmas truffles and fudge recipes
Next, I want to share with you my truffles and fudge recipes. These are perfect holiday recipes to use as Christmas gifts and some take as little as 3 minutes to make.
10 Easy Christmas bars & squares recipes
Christmas bars and Christmas squares are perfect to give as gifts as well as to serve guests during the festive season. Of course, they are great holiday recipes to take with you when invited over by family and friends.
12 Christmas cakes and cupcakes
Cakes and cupcakes are perfect when entertaining. I often start with Christmas entertaining early because kids keep inviting friends over. Most of these holiday recipes can be made up to a day or two in advance. And they are great when you have to take a treat with you to visit someone.
10 Festive Christmas drinks
I’m a huge fan of eggnog. And I grew up with eggnog as the perfect Christmas drink. But alcoholic cocktails, as well as non-alcoholic mocktails, are also perfect for celebrations.
Christmas dinner
Planning a big festive dinner can be a huge task especially if you have a large family. But planning ahead with the right holiday recipes can help. Here are a few of my personal picks that I think are perfect for this time of the year, starting from appetizers, sides, bread, main course as well as desserts.
Popular ingredients to shop before a big dinner
Butter – I think you must use butter to flavor and keep that turkey or chicken moist. Butter also gives the whole bird that wonderful color that looks great on the holiday table. Of course, add a little butter to that gravy too. After all, it’s a holiday feast. Onion, garlic, ginger, and fresh herbs such as fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, and parsley are essential to flavoring your main course and vegetables. Use spices that give the warmth of fall such as earthy cinnamon, pumpkin spice, or gingerbread spice. And while vanilla extracts are the most popular in most desserts try using citrus flavors such as orange and lemon. Buy extra bread if you plan to make stuffing and cornmeal, or if you plan to make cornbread. Potatoes and sweet potatoes to make mashed or roasted potatoes. Vegetables for your side dish – Fresh green beans, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, mushrooms, cauliflower. Pumpkin puree to if you plan to make a pumpkin pie or pumpkin desserts. Pecans to make a pecan pie or tart and apples to make an apple pie or tart. Of course, walnuts, almonds, macadamia are a great addition for those who do not like pecans.
6 Salad recipes for Christmas
20 Easy Christmas main courses
10 Easy potato side dishes
6 quiche recipes as sides
8 more veggie side dishes
6 Patty starters or sides
15 Bread & rice recipes for Christmas
While you don’t want to fill up on bread, you sure want bread for any dinner. I have many bread recipes but I use the following recipes for the holidays with a festive menu.
4 rice dishes for Christmas
20 Christmas dessert recipes
No festive meal is complete without a holiday dessert. While I have an overwhelming list of desserts recipes for the holidays, here are a few that would be perfect holiday dessert recipes.
Christmas menu I
Drinks – Cranberry margarita, wineAppetizer – Roasted red pepper goat cheese crostiniSalad – Make-ahead cherry tomato mozzarella saladMain-course – Roast turkey & Beef in red wineSide dish – Mashed potatoes, oven-baked carrot sticks, and corn frittersCondiments – Cranberry sauce, red pepper tamponade, roasted garlicBread – Pumpkin dinner rolls and whole wheat walnut raisin breadDessert – Apple pie and chocolate chip pumpkin cakeAperitif or after-dinner drinks – mulled wine, Baileys, Butterscotch baileys or bailey’s chocolate martini, pumpkin spice latte, chai spice latte, hot chocolate (kids)
Christmas menu II
Drinks – Strawberry vodka cocktail, wineAppetizer – Roasted red pepper goat cheese crostiniSalad – Make-ahead celery saladMain-course – Roast Chicken & Beef BurgundySide dish – Lemon dill roasted potatoes, carrot zucchini fritters, sauteed asparagusCondiments – Cranberry sauce, red pepper tamponade, roasted garlic,Bread – Soft dinner rolls and no-knead crusty bread OR Cloverleaf rolls and no-knead beer breadDessertApple crumble pie and pumpkin cake or pumpkin souffle Or Pumpkin pie and pecan blondies or pecan pie browniesAperitif or after-dinner drinks –Mulled wine, Baileys, Butterscotch baileys or bailey’s chocolate martini, pumpkin spice latte, chai spice latte, hot chocolate (kids)
Christmas menu III
Drinks – Strawberry vodka cocktail, wineAppetizer – Roasted red pepper goat cheese crostiniSalad – Make-ahead cranberry cabbage salad,Main course – Roast leg of lamb & chicken in mushroom sauceSide dish – Butternut squash fries, Crispy garlic roasted potatoes, sauteed sesame green beansCondiments – cranberry sauce, red pepper tamponade, roasted garlic,Bread – Braided challah and skillet buttermilk cornbreadDessert – Pecan pie and Caramel apple cakeAperitif or after-dinner drinks – Mulled wine, Baileys, Butterscotch baileys or bailey’s chocolate martini, pumpkin spice latte, chai spice latte, hot chocolate (kids) Thank you for sharing - Save for later
