As the festive period rolls around once more, we need to start thinking about some of the delicious foods we will be eating. If you want to expand your culinary horizons this Christmas, you should think about trying some of these dishes.
Beef Wellington
If your family is not the biggest fan of turkey, you might decide that a beef wellington is a perfect alternative. Turkey and vegetables are hearty and delicious meals that could form the ideal centrepiece for your festive spread. Choose a good quality piece of beef for the heart of the meal; it will make everything that little bit richer and tastier.
To make a beef wellington, you spread a mixture of mushrooms and shallots onto prosciutto and wrap it around the beef. You then seal the whole thing inside puff pastry. It is easier to make than you might think and will create a truly stunning dish!
French Onion Soup
French onion soup can be a fantastic option for starters. This soup is always a fun option since it has a thick layer of cheese on top of the onions, plus crusty bread that gets soft and soaked with broth from being served on top of the soup itself.
It is simple to make but has a lot of flavour and looks impressive. If you are searching for the perfect thing to kick off a Christmas dinner party or even your meal on the day itself, you might want to consider this flavourful soup.
Vegetable Lasagne
Do you have vegetarians or vegans to serve? Perhaps you want to ensure that your children get a few extra vegetables without really realising what they are eating? One of the best ways to do so is with a vegetable lasagne.
At the heart of the dish is a rich tomato base. You could throw in aubergine, courgettes, peppers, mushrooms, and maybe even kale or spinach when choosing vegetables. The white sauce can easily be substituted for a vegan alternative if you have other dietary requirements to consider.
Spiced Apple Cake
Everyone loves something a little sweet at Christmas! Whether they explore a super-sweet new game or take a bath in a rich and sweet-smelling bubble bath that Santa dropped off, there are so many sweet pursuits out there, and none more so than the right cake.
A spiced apple cake keeps things Christmassy, and a sweet buttercream can balance out the rich taste. Eat cold, or warm it up to have with ice cream for a fantastic treat to have on a cold winter’s night.
Cassoulet
This dish from the south of France can be a great way to use up some of your leftover turkey and other Christmas meats. It is a slow-cooked casserole with a breaded topping, and it will fill you up for hours!
The dish is named after the pot in which it is traditionally cooked, but don’t worry if you don’t have one to hand! A typical casserole dish will be more than perfect for cooking this dish. The meat is only part of this meal, and its heartiness comes from the cannellini beans used to bulk it out a little.
No-Bake Cheesecake
Cheesecakes can be easy to whip up and tend to be a crowd-pleaser – no wonder it is a must at so many dessert places! Choosing a no-bake option means that you don’t have to take up valuable oven space, which could be used for other dishes. Instead, you need to quickly throw together the cheesecake and then chill it in the fridge until it is ready to be served.
Of course, vanilla is a classic flavour, but it’s Christmas, and you should try something new! Chocolate orange could be an excellent combination for something a little decadent, or you could maybe think of mixing that vanilla with cranberry for a festive twist.
Sea Salt and Rosemary Rolls
So few of us think about the accompaniments that need to go along with our Christmas meals—having a bread standing by means that we can assemble a quick sandwich or soak up the last little bit of gravy or sauce on our plates. If you have time around the chaos of Christmas, why not try making your bread?
It is pretty easier to throw together some good white rolls. Ensure that they have a good sprinkling of sea salt and rosemary on top too. These will taste good on their own but will also marry well with the flavours used in a Christmas dinner.
Have these given you any inspiration for food for your table? It is never too early to start planning dishes for the big day, and these could soon be firm favourites that join you every year. Now is the perfect time to explore a few new recipes, and each one could be something with which your family falls in love!
