Christmas Recipes

Christmas is the time for great fun; it’s the time when the entire family comes together and celebrates. This is also the time to satisfy your taste buds with various different recipes. Without Christmas winter would be a cold & frigid time of the year. Christmas gives you the opportunity to eat some of those mouthwatering preparations. Following 10 recipes will help you to prepare your own version of that perfect Christmas dinner.

1. Stained Glass Wreath Cookies

Cookies are an essential part of Christmas preparation. Irrespective of age people just love to munch on them. Following recipe is for preparing stained glass wreath cookies. It will serve your both the purposes i.e. you can use this for designing your tree or you can simply serve it to your guests as well.

Ingredients:

• White decorating icing- 1 small tube            
• Sugar cookie dough- 1ounce
• Round hard candies- 1 bag
• Long (8 inch) pieces of ribbon/string- 24
• Silver dragees- 1 package

Direction:

• At 350 degree F preheat the oven & line 2 sheet pans in the silicon baking pan.
• Chop the dough in ¼ inch gaps & put them over the ready baking sheets 1 inch aside.
• Now use the (1 inch) round cookie cutter & press in over the center of every cookie.
• Move out the dough (small circle) & put back a hard round candy.
• For almost 9-10 minutes let it bake in the oven.
• Take it off from the oven. When those cookies are still hot, use a straw to create a hole at the peak of every cookie.
• Put a baking sheet over the cooling rack & allow it to cool down completely.
• In the meantime while cookies have cooled down completely, use the icing in equal distant 6 icing dots throughout the border of every cookie.
• Now gently press the silver dragees into the icing circle & let the icing get hard.
• Put the ribbon (8 inch piece) at the peak through the hole & attach both the ends closely.
• Reiterate the whole process for those remaining cookies.

2. Gingerbread Truffles

Gingerbread truffle is a aromatic, delicate ball which reminds you of the taste of gingerbread cookie dough.

Ingredients:

• Nutmeg- 1/8 tsp
• Vanilla extract- 1 tsp
• Chocolate chips- 1cup
• Evaporated milk- ½ cup
• Cloves- 1/8 tsp
• Light corn syrup- 3 tbsp
• Cinnamon- ¼ tsp
• Powdered sugar- ½ cup
• Ground ginger- 1 tsp
• For rolling granulated sugar- ½ cup
• Salt- ½ tsp
• Gingersnap crumbs- 2.5 cups
• Nuts (minced)- 1 cup

Direction:

• Take a microwave proof bowl & pour the white chocolate into it.
• Place it in your microwave till it gets liquefied completely.
• To avert overheating remember to stir after every 45 seconds.
• When the chocolate is melted add the vanilla extract along with evaporated milk & corn syrup.
• If it appears quite discriminating then use your whisk to mix gently (until mixes well).
• Now pour the minced nuts along with powdered sugar, gingersnap crumbs, salt & all the spices.
• Put the mixture into your refrigerator to get the firm texture, so that you can give it a shape.
• Take a teaspoon of the mixture & give it a shape of small dumplings by using your palms.
• Now put the granulated sugar within the small dumplings & then roll those balls within the sugar to get a nice sugar coating.
• Store these truffles in an airtight container. You can store them for quite a few weeks, but they are inclined to lose their heavy ginger flavor.
• You must keep in mind that before serving those truffles you must let them come down to room temperature.

3. Fig-and-Orange-Glazed Ham

People love to offer a ham preparation as one of their entrees in the Christmas dinner.  So following ham recipe will help you to get some fantastic main course ideas.

Ingredients:

• Orange juice (fresh) – 1/3 cup            
• Fig jam- 1 cup
• Half ham (sliced) – 1 spiral
• Freshly grated zest – 1 orange
• Dijon mustard- 2 tbsp

Direction:

• Read the direction written on the ham package well & follow them for baking it.
• Take it off (ham)  from the oven almost 30 minutes before the end signal.
• Take a small sized saucepan & mix together orange zest along with jam, juice & mustard.
• Place it over low temperature & stir well until the jam liquefies well, but remember not to boil it.
• Now pour the glaze over the ham & let bake for the residual 30 minutes.
• Take it out from the oven & pour the unused glaze over the top.
• Now shift the ham to the chopping board to carve it.

4. Rib Roast

For the main course you can also add the following rib preparation for your Christmas party.

Ingredients:

• Rib roast- 5 pound
• House seasoning- 1 tbsp

(How to prepare House Seasoning:

• Garlic powder- ¼ cup
• Salt- 1 cup
• Black pepper- ¼ cup

Direction:

• Mix all the ingredients together well & for almost 6 months you can keep them in an airtight container.)

Direction:

• At 375 degree F preheat the oven.
• Use the house seasoning to rub the roast.
• Place the roast in a pan & then put it over a rack with the rib side down and the fatty side up.
• Let it roast for almost an hour.
• Switch off the oven, but leave the roast into the oven & open the door after almost 3 hours.
• Heat it again in the oven again at 375 degree F, for 30 to 40 minutes before serving.
• Remember that you should not remove the roast or re-open the oven door from the time the roast is put in until ready to serve.

5. Herb-Crusted Roast Beef with Horseradish Cream

Beef is another option for your non vegetarian entrée in your Christmas dinner menu which you can serve to your guests.

Ingredients:

• Mustard powder- 2 tbsp
• Beef eye round roast (boneless) – 3 pound
• Vegetable oil- ½ cup+ 2 tbsp
• Parsley leaves- 1 bunch
• Black pepper (freshly ground) – according to taste
• Salt- As per taste
• Garlic cloves- 5
• Oregano leaves (fresh) – 8 sprigs
• Thyme (fresh) – ½ bunches
• Rosemary leaves- 2 sprigs.
• Horseradish cream

(Preparation of Horseradish cream:

• Sour cream- ½ cup
• Lemon juice- 1 tbsp
• Salt
• Prepared horseradish- 2 tbsp
• Mix all the ingredients well in a small sized bowl.
• Cover the bowl & place it in your refrigerator till it gets ready to use.)

Directions:

• At 350 degree F preheat the oven.
• Use the salt as well as pepper to season the roast properly.
• Take a medium sized pan & place it over moderate temperature.
• Now pour vegetable oil (2 tbsp) into it.
• Allow the oil to get hot & add the roast.
• Let it get done well from all the sides or allow it to caramelize perfectly for almost 9-10 minutes.
• Take it off & place it over a sheet tray along with a wire rack.
• In the meantime pour oregano along with mustard powder, salt, 1/2 cup oil, thyme, pepper, parsley & garlic into your food processor.
• Mix well till you get the desired texture.
• Use the whole mixture to marinate the roast.
• For almost 45 minutes allow it to cook at 125 degree F in the oven.
• Before chopping it let it stay for almost 10 minutes & serve with your horseradish cream.

6. Christmas Turkey

When you are preparing your Christmas dinner then turkey is one of the must have recipes you need to celebrate Christmas in the traditional way. The following preparation will satisfy your turkey desire as well as you can cook it with some easy herbs. It will also minimize your fat consumption, without compromising with your taste buds.

Ingredients:

• Onion (medium sized)- 1 (peeled  as well as chopped into quarters)
• Lemon- 1 (halved)
• Turkey (thawed)-12-14 pound
• Saga (fresh)- 6 sprigs
• Olive oil- 1 tbsp
• Black pepper- ground freshly
• Thyme- 6 sprigs (fresh)
• Rosemary (fresh)- 6 sprigs

Direction:

• At 425 degree preheat your oven.
• First you need to take off the neck as well as giblets from inside of your turkey.
• If you want you can prepare & reserve the turkey stock.
• Use cold water to clean the turkey well from outside as well as inside.
• With your kitchen towel pat dry your turkey.
• Inside the turkey’s cavity put the half lemon along with onion & 4 sprigs of every herb.
• With your kitchen string secure the legs.
• Put the turkey in a pan (back side down) & place it over the roasting rack.
• Take a small sized bowl & squeeze the remaining lemon into it.
• Now use the olive oil, salt, lemon juice & pepper to brush the turkey.
• At 425 degree place the turkey to roast for almost 15 minutes.
• Lower the heat at 325 degree.
• Use the oil, pan juice & lemon to batter the turkey often.
• Let it roast for almost 3-4 hours and until the thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 180 degrees.
• Take it off from the oven & let it stand for almost 10-15 minutes.
• Shift the turkey into a platter & use the unused herbs to garnish it.

7. Eggnog Custard Pie

If you want to add a little bit of a traditional touch in your Christmas dishes then the following recipe will serve your purpose completely.

Ingredients:

• Nutmeg (ground)- ½ tsp
• Sugar- 1 up
• Pie crust (refrigerated package)- 15 ounce
• Evaporated milk- 12 ounce
• Eggs (large)- 4
• Water-3/4 cup
• Salt- 1/8 tsp
• Light rum- ¼ cup
• Cinnamon (ground)- ¼ tsp
• Powdered sugar- for decoration
• Whipped cream- for garnishing

Direction:

• At 350 degree F preheat the oven.
• Now spread out the pie crust over gently floured area.
• In 12 inch radius encircle the pastry roll.
• In a 9 inch base pie plate dish press the pie crust.
• If you want you can also make the edges little wavy.
• When the dough is firmly fitted in the dish, gently dig holes on the bottom of your dough.
• Take a large sized bowl & add the eggs along with the sugar.
• Use your electric mixture to mix well in a medium speed.
• Pour the rum along with water & evaporated milk.
• Beat well in low speed, till you get the mixture right.
• Now add the mixture into the crust.
• Use the nutmeg & cinnamon to sprinkle over the top.
• Put the pie in ½ inch deep baking sheet.
• Pour water in your baking sheet.
• Let it bake for almost 55 minutes or till the toothpick comes out completely clean.
• Create your desired shapes & use the powdered sugar along with whipped cream for garnishing purposes.

8. Caramel Apple Cheesecake

For your Christmas dessert you can have various options, but cheesecake is something that can also give you the essence of a traditional Christmas.

Ingredients:

• Eggs- 2
• Sugar- ½ cup
• Apple pie filling- 21 ounce
• Vanilla extract-1/4 tsp
• Graham cracker crust- 9 inch
• Caramel topping- ¼ cup
• Cream cheese- 8 ounce (must be in room temperature)
• Minced pecans- 2 tbsp
• Pecans in halves- 12

Direction:

• At 350 degree F preheat the oven.
• Keep the ¾ of the apple filling separately & pour the unused filling into the crust.
• Take a bowl & pour together vanilla, cream cheese & sugar.
• Mix them well till get the smooth texture.
• Pour eggs & mix well again.
• Now add the mixture over the pie filling.
• Allow it to bake for almost 30-35 minutes, till the center portion gets firm.
• Arrange a small sized saucepan & add the caramel topping along with the remaining pie filling.
• Place over the moderate temperature for almost 60 seconds, till you get the mixture done.
• Now pour the caramel mixture on the top of your cheese cake & distribute it equally.
• Use the crushed as well as halved pecans to garnish the edge.
• Place it into your refrigerator till it gets ready to be distributed among your guests.

9. Candy Cane Fudge

Candy cane is a symbol of the Christmas holiday season. Without candy cane we just can’t imagine Christmas. So try the following candy cane fudge & have a great Christmas.

Ingredients:

• Mint extract- 2 tsp
• Evaporated milk- 2/3 cup
• Butter- 2 tbsp
• Granulated sugar- 1-2/3 cups
• Salt- ½ tsp
• Marshmallows (miniature)- 2 cups
• Food coloring (red)- ¼ tsp
• Chocolate chips (white)- 1.5 cups

Direction:

• Arrange an 8×8 pan with aluminum foil & spray a nonstick cooking spray over it.
• Take a medium sized saucepan & pour the butter along with salt, sugar & evaporated milk.
• Place it over moderate temperature & let it stir till the sugar liquefies completely.
• Now boil the mixture for almost 4-5 minutes & remember to stir continuously.
• Take it off from the oven & add the white chocolate chips along with the marshmallows & mint extract.
• Stir forcefully to mix all the chocolate chips as well as marshmallows.
• Pour a few drops of red color on the top, just after the candy gets smooth.
• Remember not to over stir the food color; otherwise it will make the candy pink.
• Instantly use the ready pan to scrap the candy. Let it cool down to room temperature or you can place it in your refrigerator to get the solid shape.
• Before serving make a shape of 1 inch squares.

10. Peppermint Chocolate Coffee

Drink is an essential element for each & every party & you need to be a little creative for your party drink. So try the following creative coffee drink & please your guests with some mouthwatering taste.

Ingredients:

• Peppermint baking chips/peppermint syrup- 2 tbsp
• Fresh brewed coffee (hot)-4 ounces
• Chocolate syrup- 1 tbsp
• Chocolate shavings- for decorating
• Whipped cream- for garnishing

Direction:

• Take a coffee mug.
• Pour together peppermint syrup along with chocolate syrup & coffee.
• Decorate the top with whipped cream & chocolate shavings.