A lot of our Christmas memories involve the sense of smell… That fresh cut Christmas Tree in our living rooms, the aroma of baking spices and roasted delights drawing us into the kitchen, a place where memories are made and traditions are born.
Christmas isn’t just a holiday; it's a tapestry of flavors, scents, and warmth shared with loved ones. Recipes have stories behind them… a legacy passed down through generations... or, perhaps, a new tradition waiting to be embraced. In this special collection, we've gathered some classic and innovative recipes that are sure to ignite the holiday spirit in your home. From a perfectly roasted main course to the sweet charm of cookies baked with joy and laughter, these dishes promise to make your Christmas table a centerpiece of a delicious celebration.
More than just preparing food, Christmas baking is an act of love, a way to weave together the threads of family and friendship. We invite you to add a touch of magic to your holiday preparations and fun with your children baking and decorating Christmas cookies.
Each recipe here is chosen for its ability to create moments of togetherness, laughter, and the sharing of good food. So, tie on your apron, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a journey that celebrates the most wonderful time of the year!
Classic Roast Turkey
Ingredients:
1 whole turkey (about 12-14 lbs)
2 onions, quartered
4 carrots, chopped
4 celery stalks, chopped
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups chicken or turkey stock
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
Rinse the turkey and pat dry. Season inside and out with salt and pepper.
Place onions, carrots, and celery inside the turkey's cavity.
Mix butter with thyme and rub it all over the turkey.
Place the turkey breast-side up in a roasting pan. Pour stock into the bottom of the pan.
Cover loosely with aluminum foil and roast for about 2.5 hours.
Remove foil and roast for another hour or until the skin is golden and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C).
Let rest for 20 minutes before carving.
Tired of traditional turkey and want to try something new? We’ve got you covered!
Roast Duck with Orange Glaze
Ingredients:
1 whole duck (about 5-6 lbs)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 orange, quartered
1 onion, quartered
1/4 cup orange marmalade
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp ground ginger
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Season the duck inside and out with salt and pepper. Place orange and onion quarters inside the cavity.
Place the duck breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan.
Roast for 1.5 hours. In a bowl, mix marmalade, honey, soy sauce, and ginger for the glaze.
Brush the duck with the glaze and roast for an additional 30 minutes or until golden.
Let rest before carving.
Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb
Ingredients:
2 racks of lamb (about 1.5 lbs each)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Heat olive oil in a pan and brown the racks of lamb on all sides.
Mix garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture over the lamb.
Coat the lamb with Dijon mustard and press breadcrumbs onto the mustard coating.
Roast in the oven for about 20-25 minutes for medium-rare.
Let rest before slicing into chops.
Christmas Pudding
Ingredients:
1 cup raisins
1 cup sultanas
1 cup currants
1/2 cup chopped mixed peel
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1 apple, grated
1 orange, zest and juice
1 lemon, zest and juice
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups breadcrumbs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp mixed spice
1/2 cup suet or butter, grated
3 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup brandy
Instructions:
Mix all the dried fruits, nuts, apple, and citrus zests and juices in a large bowl.
Add brown sugar, breadcrumbs, flour, and mixed spice.
Stir in suet or butter, then add the beaten eggs and brandy. Mix well.
Grease a pudding basin and fill it with the mixture. Cover with a lid or aluminum foil.
Steam the pudding for about 5 hours, checking water level regularly.
Once cooked, let it cool. Store in a cool place and steam again for 2 hours before serving.
Eggnog
Ingredients:
6 eggs, separated
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup bourbon (optional)
1/4 cup brandy (optional)
Nutmeg for garnish
Instructions:
In a bowl, beat egg yolks with sugar until thick.
Slowly add milk and cream, stirring continuously.
Pour the mixture into a saucepan and heat gently, stirring until the mixture thickens slightly. Do not boil.
Remove from heat, and if using, stir in bourbon and brandy.
In another bowl, beat egg whites to soft peaks and fold into the mixture.
Chill in the fridge.
Serve cold, garnished with grated nutmeg.
There’s nothing like making Christmas memories with the kiddos in the kitchen. So, we’ve included some favorite Christmas Cookie recipes.
Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup molasses
2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, and cinnamon.
In another bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until combined.
Chill the dough for at least 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough and cut into shapes.
Bake for 8-10 minutes.
Cool before decorating.
Snowman Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
Icing pens or colored icing for decoration
Mini chocolate chips and orange candies for the face
Instructions:
In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Wrap the dough in plastic and chill for an hour.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the dough and cut out circles with a cookie cutter.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until slightly golden. Cool on a wire rack.
Once cooled, decorate the cookies with icing to make snowman faces. Use mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons, and orange candies for the nose.
Christmas Tree Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Green food coloring
Sprinkles and mini star candies for decoration
Instructions:
Whisk together flour and salt in a bowl.
In another bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar until creamy. Mix in vanilla and a few drops of green food coloring.
Gradually add flour mixture until combined. Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough and cut into Christmas tree shapes using a cookie cutter.
Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.
Decorate with sprinkles and place a mini star candy at the top of each tree.
As we wrap up this culinary journey, I hope these recipes bring joy to your holiday table. Christmas is a time for sharing, and what better way to do so than through dishes that speak of love, tradition, and a touch of festive magic? Whether you're gathering around a succulent roast, sharing laughter over whimsically decorated cookies, or toasting with a glass of creamy eggnog, these moments are the ones that truly embody the spirit of the season. So, from our kitchen to yours, we wish you a heartwarming, delicious, and merry Christmas. May your home be filled with the aromas of holiday cooking, the warmth of family and friends, and the joy of creating new memories. Merry Christmas and happy cooking!
If you have a suggestion for next month’s meal plan, let us know.
