Yuletide Dinner Favorites
by Chris Petry
Christmas is only five days away. At this point, you’ve probably finished your shopping and if you haven’t, you’re in full bore panic mode, running around like a chipmunk in a peanut factory. By now, you’ve most assuredly secured the main course for Christmas dinner. Whether that be a turkey, ham, beef tenderloin, or something slightly more adventurous if you have the want and culinary acumen. Or maybe you haven’t.
Now is the time to cross the t’s and dot the i’s. Make a list and check it twice. Naughty or nice, you’re running out of time to get it all done. We thought we’d make it easier for you, especially if you’re struggling to find your inspiration this year. Below, you’ll find some Christmas dinner favorites, sides and mains, that are sure to please even the pickiest of guests. Okay, maybe not that one guy that subsides entirely on ranch dressing, but who invited him anyway?
Spicy Shrimp Wrapped in Snow Peas
For something a little outside the ordinary, try this wonderful seafood appetizer, bursting with Asian flavors.
Irish Stout Mac N’ Cheese
I lifted a similar recipe from an Irish Pub Cookbook a few years ago, but I couldn’t quite locate an online recipe for it that was exact. The below recipe is similar with the following substitutions. Use 2 cups milk instead of the ½ cup cream. Use an 8oz block of sharp cheddar and an 8oz block of Dubliner cheese, which is a semi-hard cheese with a hint of sweetness. Finally, cut in about half a round of Boursin garlic and herbs cheese instead of the garlic and onion powder and voila! Click here for some of the best mac and cheese you’ll ever eat.
Mexican Pozole
For a hearty, sinfully spicy, soup course, look no further than this delicious recipe for authentic Mexican-style pozole.
Honey Baked Ham Copycat Recipe
For a more traditional offering, why not serve up this classic ham recipe? Click here for the recipe.
Braised Duck Leg with Red Cabbage, Green Peppercorn Sauce, and Caramelized Apples
For the experienced chef, or someone who loves taking delicious risks, try this traditional Scandinavian Christmas Duck with a tasteful facelift.
Pull Apart Christmas Tree Garlic Bread
Christmas should be anything but boring. So why not have a little fun with crowd-pleasing garlic bread, shaped into one of the most revered pieces of Christmas iconography. Click here to get started with the festive fun!
Balsamic Bacon Brussels Sprouts
If you’re a tad English like myself, you probably enjoy sprouts on Christmas. Well, spice up those sprouts with balsamic vinegar, sautéed onions, and nature’s cure-all, bacon. Click here for the recipe.
Anchovy Spaghetti Recipe
A popular Italian-American Christmas tradition is the “Feast of Seven Fishes.” A friend of mine typed out her recipe for one her family’s favorite courses from their annual feast and I scoured the internet for a link to a recipe that included those ingredients and directions. This is the closest, with some substitutions. For instance, the below recipe calls for a single can of anchovies. That’s not enough anchovies! Use two. Furthermore, use jarred anchovies for a more complete, less-metallic, flavor profile. She also recommends tossing your pasta in olive oil to prevent dryness. I recommend this on most occasions. It’s a great trick to keep the starchy pasta from bunching up. Click here for the recipe.
