admin Throughout the years, I have tried different recipes for my Christmas lunch, from fresh pasta, to soups to salads. In today’s blog post I am sharing My Favorite Christmas Recipes which are quick and easy.
In my last blog post, Tips to Plan your Christmas lunch/dinner like Pro, I mentioned that planning is key especially if you are hosting people. During the Christmas period, food plays an important role, but you definitely don’t want to spend hours on end in the kitchen.
Every year I host Christmas lunch at my house, and I like to try new recipes that can be out of my comfort zone. I challenge myself mostly in the dessert, although last year we had two different main dishes. I have learnt that for starters I should opt for light and even healthier options, so guests can enjoy the main course and the dessert without guilt and having the feeling of being too full.
The secret to any recipe is fresh and good quality ingredients. This year for my vegetables I plan to order everything from Mgarr Farms as I have them delivered to my doorstep without having to stay running around.
Hors d'oeuvres
As guests start arriving, it is courtesy to mingle with them, offer them a drink and some hors d’oeuvres. These should not be complicated…..don’t forget that you are having a sit down meal, and don’t want your guests to be full before even sitting at the table.
Parmiggiano crackers
Super easy and super quick. All you need is a muffin tray and parmiggiano cheese. Grate the parmiggiano, and sprinkle in the muffin tray. Whilst your oven is hot (from preparing other food), place in the oven until the cheese melts. Keep an eye on them as you don’t want to burn them. When ready, leave them to cool and serve.
Grissini wrapped in parma ham
For these Hors d’oeuvres, you don’t need to switch on the oven and your kids can help you too. Just grab store bought grissini and wrap parma ham around them. Voila you have your hors d’oeuvres
Cheese Platter
Cheese is a good accompaniment to drinks especially wine. Buy various types of cheeses, grapes, walnuts and dry fruit. Cut the cheese in cubes and place on a platter and embellish with grapes, walnuts and dried fruit. If you want to impress your guests even more why not shape it into a Christmas tree?
Soup
Carrot & Ginger Soup
This carrot & ginger soup can be made in the slow cooker. You can either do it first thing in the morning, whilst you get on with your day or else if you go to mid-night mass you can just switch on your slow cooker on low before you go to bed.
Here is what you need (serves 4):
- 10 medium carrots roughly chopped
- 1 medium onion
- 2 gloves garlic , minced or pressed
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 – 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 1/2 cup coconut milk (or heavy cream)
- salt and pepper
- chopped parsly or sour cream to garnish
Add the carrots, onion, garlic, ginger and vegetable / chicken stock into the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 -4 hours or on low for 7 – 8 hours. When ready with an immersion blender blend until smooth and add the coconut milk for a silky smooth texture. Serve with chopped parsley or sour cream to garnish.
Salad
Fifteen Christmas Salad
The salad is taken from the book Cook with Jamie (my guide to making you a better cook) will definitely be a success with your guests. Despite being a salad, it has winter flavors and different textures.
Here are the ingredients you need (serves 4):
- 4 x 100gr balls mozzarella di buffalo
- 1 lemon
- 4 clementines peeled and sliced
- 2 handfuls of rocket, washed and dried
- 1 trviso or radicchio roughly torn, washed and dried
- A small bunch of mint
- 1 x lemon oil dressing
- 4 slices speck
- A handful of freshly shave Parmesan cheese
- Aged balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper
Tear a ball of mozzarella into rough chunks on each plate. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and grate over some lemon zest. Arrange the clementine slices over the mozzarella (one for each plate).
In a separate bowl, dress the rocket, treviso or radicchio and mint leaves in a little dressing. Reserve some mint to garnish. Lay the speck on a chopping board and use to pick up and wrap a quarter of the dressed leaves.
Place the package on each plate, on top of each clementine slices. Serve with shaving of Parmesan, a sprinkle of mint leaves and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Eat immediately!
For the lemon dressing you need the juice of approximately 1 lemon and 10 tablespoons of good quality extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and pepper.
Main Course
As for the main course I would normally do a roasted pork leg with brussel sprouts and roasted potatoes. With regards to the brussel sprouts I would cut them in half, drizzle some olive oil, salt, pepper and also some bacon cubes. Mix well. You can either put them in the oven or saute them.
Dessert
Festive Chocolate Mousse
This Festive Chocolate Mousse is not good, it is absolutely delicious. Taken from the book Favourite Christmas Treats you can definitely make the dessert the day before.
Here are the ingredients you need (serves 6):
- 180gr chocolate (white or dark)
- 30g butter
- 2 tablespoons brandy (optional)
- 4 eggs, separated
- 300ml cream, whipped
Melt the chocolate with butter in the top of a double saucepan or in a bowl over simmering water. Add brandy and egg yolks. Mix well. Cool slightly. Fold the chocolate into the whipped cream.
Beat egg whites until soft peaks forms. Fold lightly into the chocolate mixture until well combined (take your time in folding as this will make the mousse light). Spoon into serving dishes. Garnish with chocolate leaves or strawberries. Serve with whipped cream.
To make the chocolate leaves simply paint melted chocolate onto fresh dry leaves. Peel off gently when set.
Another favorite recipe and which I am sure all of you buy or bake during the Christmas period are the mince pies. Check out my Mince Pie recipe here (you can also watch on YouTube)
Hope you have enjoyed my collection of recipes for Christmas.
Love
Strugglingmum xxx
