Delicious Christmas Dishes To Savor This Holiday Season

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the joy of indulging in delicious Christmas dishes that bring people together. Whether you're a fan of traditional recipes or modern twists, there's something for everyone to savor during this special time of year. In this article, we'll explore some mouth-watering Christmas dishes that are sure to become new favorites.

Christmas is a time for celebration, and food plays a big role in that. From savory main courses to sweet treats, the holiday season offers a wide range of culinary delights that cater to different tastes and preferences. Whether you're hosting a festive dinner party or simply looking for new ideas to spice up your holiday menu, we've got you covered.

With so many delicious Christmas dishes to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to start. That's why we've put together a list of some of the most popular and mouth-watering Christmas dishes to try this holiday season. From classic roasted turkey to decadent desserts, these recipes are sure to impress your family and friends.

Classic Christmas Main Courses

When it comes to Christmas main courses, there are several classic dishes that are sure to impress. Here are some of the most popular options:

Roasted Turkey

Roasted turkey is a staple of Christmas cuisine, and for good reason. The combination of juicy meat, crispy skin, and savory flavors is a winning combination that's hard to beat. To make the perfect roasted turkey, you'll need:

• 1 (12-14 pound) whole turkey
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Rub the turkey with melted butter, then season with salt, pepper, garlic, thyme, and sage. Roast the turkey in a preheated oven for about 4-4 1/2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Baked Ham

Baked ham is another classic Christmas main course that's easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. To make the perfect baked ham, you'll need:

• 1 (5-7 pound) bone-in ham
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Score the ham in a diamond pattern, cutting about 1/4 inch deep. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, honey, mustard, olive oil, garlic, and thyme. Brush the mixture all over the ham, making sure to get it into the scored lines. Bake the ham in a preheated oven for about 20 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).

Delicious Christmas Side Dishes

While the main course is always the star of the show, Christmas side dishes can make or break the meal. Here are some delicious options to consider:

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a classic Christmas side dish that's easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. To make the perfect mashed potatoes, you'll need:

• 3-4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Boil the potatoes in a large pot of salted water until they're tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add butter, heavy cream, salt, and pepper, and mash the potatoes with a potato masher or a fork until they're smooth and creamy.

Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole is a classic Christmas side dish that's easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. To make the perfect green bean casserole, you'll need:

• 1 pound fresh or frozen green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups French-fried onions
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). In a large skillet, sauté the green beans and onion in butter until they're tender, about 5-7 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix together cream of mushroom soup and milk. Pour the soup mixture over the green beans and onion, and stir until everything is well combined. Pour the mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish, and top with French-fried onions. Bake the casserole in a preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown and the casserole is hot and bubbly.

Decadent Christmas Desserts

No Christmas meal is complete without a decadent dessert to round out the meal. Here are some delicious options to consider:

Gingerbread Trifle

Gingerbread trifle is a show-stopping Christmas dessert that's sure to impress. To make the perfect gingerbread trifle, you'll need:

• 1 cup gingerbread cake, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups mixed berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries)
• 1 cup whipped cream

In a large bowl, mix together heavy cream, powdered sugar, and softened butter until stiff peaks form. In a separate bowl, mix together gingerbread cake and mixed berries. To assemble the trifle, layer the gingerbread mixture, whipped cream, and mixed berries in a large bowl or individual glasses. Repeat the layers two more times, ending with a layer of whipped cream on top.

Eggnog Cheesecake

Eggnog cheesecake is a creamy and delicious Christmas dessert that's sure to become a new favorite. To make the perfect eggnog cheesecake, you'll need:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 pounds cream cheese, softened
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup eggnog
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup heavy cream

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). In a medium bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Stir in melted butter until the mixture is well combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in eggnog, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Pour the cheesecake batter into the prepared pan, and bake for about 50-60 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly.

Conclusion

The holiday season is a time for celebration, and food plays a big role in that. Whether you're looking for classic Christmas main courses, delicious side dishes, or decadent desserts, there's something for everyone to savor during this special time of year. We hope this article has given you some inspiration for your holiday menu, and we wish you a very merry Christmas!