Choose a variety of popular dishes so that you’ll be able to cater to all your guests. Pick tasty but easy-to-make recipes that can be prepared ahead of time and that requires minimal heating before the party starts, because you want your dinner to be as fuss-free as possible, with you out there catching up with your guests, instead of getting stuck in the kitchen. If you’re trying out a new recipe, make sure you practice and have it perfected before you present the actual serving for your Christmas dinner. Always set aside some vegetarian or/and halal food options for your guests (unless you’re certain they’re not both). Also include vegetable dishes to cater to the health-conscious guests. Some popular dishes include:
Christmas time is when the family gets together for a feast and the center of attraction is usually the large roasted turkey. Follow this recipe for a nice and juicy roasted turkey that will fill the stomachs of all those at the table!
Preparation time 30 mins | Cooking time 18 hours
1 medium turkey (4kg), without neck and innards
220 gm coarse salt
55 gm melted butter
120ml white wine
1 large onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks of celery, diced
2 sprigs of fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1. Rub the turkey all over and inside with the salt. Place it in a large container and fill it up with water until the turkey is submerged. Place the turkey in the refrigerator overnight or at least for 12 hours.
2. After 12 hours, take it out and rinse off the brine from the body surface and cavity and pat dry. Then let it sit in the refrigerator again for 1-2 hours for the skin to firm up. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 170°C.
3. Brush the turkey body with half of the melted butter then place it breast side down on a shallow roasting pan. Stuff the cavity of the turkey loosely with half of the onion, carrots, celery, and 1 sprig of thyme and the bay leaf. Tie the ends of the drums together if you can.
4. Scatter the remaining vegetables around and under the turkey. Tear off the leaves from the remaining thyme sprig and scatter it around as well. Finally cover it with the white wine.
5. Slide the tray onto a roasting rack in the oven and roast it for 3-4 hours, testing it every now and then after the 3rd hour to see if the turkey’s internal temperature has reached 75°C at the thigh. At the same time, turn the turkey over and brush the breast with the remaining butter. Baste the turkey occasionally as well.
6. Once the turkey thigh’s internal temperature has reached 75°C, take it out of the oven and rest it for approximately 20-30 mins before finally carving it up to serve on a warm platter for the table.
This sweetened dairy-based beverage is a traditional and popular drink in the United States and Canada. It's usually associated with winter celebrations such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. Now, you can make this simple recipe of at the comfort of your home to entertain your guests.
Preparation 1 hour | Cooking time 8 hours 20 mins
1L milk
5 whole cloves
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 egg yolks
300g caster sugar
600ml light rum
1L single cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1. Combine milk, cloves, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and cinnamon in a saucepan.
2. Heat over lowest heat for 5 minutes and then slowly bring to the boil.
3. In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk until fluffy.
4. Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs then pour mixture into saucepan.
5. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes, or until thick. Do not allow mixture to boil.
6. Strain to remove cloves, and let cool for about an hour.
7. Stir in rum, cream, 2 teaspoons vanilla and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving.
This is a traditional spicy fruit punch often associated with the Yuletide. It is very popular in Germanic countries with history dating back to the Middle Ages. The term "Wassail" itself means "be healthy". Have fun with this traditional carol while toasting your drinks to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday.
"Wassail! wassail! all over the town,
Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown;
Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree;
With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee."
Preparation 20 mins | Cooking time 1 hours
450g caster sugar
1L water
2 cinnamon sticks
8 whole allspice berries
1 tablespoon whole gloves
1 slice fresh root ginger
1L orange juice
2L apple juice
450ml lemon juice
1. In a large saucepan over high heat, combine sugar and water. Boil for 5 minutes.
2. Remove from heat; add cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, cloves and ginger. Cover and let stand for 1 hour.
3. Strain liquid into a large pot; removing the spices. Add juices before serving.
4. Serve it in a chilled glass or over ice cubes.
This chicken stew topped with grilled mashed potatoes is the ideal hot dish for a hearty Christmas dinner, to be shared by the family at the table!
Preparation 1 hour | Cooking time 2 hours
For the stew:
2 sticks of celery
2 medium onions
2 carrots
3 sprigs of fresh thyme
1 tbsp plain flour
1 can of chopped tomatoes (400gm)
500 gm of boneless and skinless chicken thighs
500ml white wine
¼ cup olive oil
Black pepper
Salt
For the mash topping:
1 kg potatoes
¼ cup of milk
5 tbsp unsalted butter
1 sprig of fresh rosemary
Olive oil
1. Slice up the celery roughly. Peel and chop up the onions and carrots, then put them in a casserole pot together with the celery and the olive oil. Fry them for about 10 mins on medium heat.
2. Now add the chicken and flour, followed by the wine and tomatoes. Stir it and season with salt and pepper.
3. Bring it to the boil, cover the pot and turn down the heat to a simmer. At this point also preheat the oven to 190°C to prepare for the topping. Leave for about 1 hour and you can prepare the topping during this time, then return to take off the lid and continue to simmer for about 30 mins more.
4. For the topping, peel the potatoes, cut them in half and boil them in salted water. Boil or about 10 mins or until tender.
5. Start mashing them with the milk, butter, and some salt and pepper. Once it´s all creamy, top off the finished stew with the mashed potatoes. Pluck some rosemary leaves and scatter them over the topping, then drizzle some olive oil over it as well.
6. Cook in the oven for about 25 mins. Then serve piping hot to the hungry family awaiting!