Christmas desserts in America are like a nostalgia-fueled rollercoaster—swirling with flavors that make you feel like you’re wrapped in a cozy, cinnamon-scented blanket. Picture this: a bustling kitchen, the air heavy with vanilla and nutmeg, as you sneak a taste of Grandma’s famous pecan pie (even though she swore she’d catch you this time). Oh, and don’t get me started on those gingerbread cookies—each bite a merry little dance of spice and sweetness, with just a hint of mischief.
Steps
- For Honey-Glazed Ham, mix the glaze ingredients until smooth. Coat the ham thoroughly with the glaze and bake until it achieves a shiny, crispy finish.
- To make Scalloped Potatoes, slice potatoes and onions thinly. Layer them in a baking dish, cover with a heated milk sauce, and bake until tender and golden brown.
- For Green Bean Casserole, combine green beans with a creamy mushroom sauce. Top with French fried onions and Cheddar cheese, then bake until bubbly.
- To prepare Roast Turkey and Gravy, spread seasoned butter under the turkey skin. Roast the bird until golden and juicy, using drippings to make a rich gravy.
- For Holiday Mashed Potatoes, boil potatoes until soft. Mash with generous amounts of butter and cream for a rich, smooth texture.
- To cook Christmas Prime Rib, rub the meat with horseradish, mustard, and seasonings. Roast until the desired doneness is achieved, allowing the flavors to meld.
- For Yorkshire Pudding, prepare a batter and pour it into hot beef drippings. Bake until the puddings puff up and turn golden.
- To make Beef Wellington, wrap seasoned beef and a mushroom mixture in puff pastry. Bake until the pastry is golden and the meat is tender.
- For Grilled Wild Duck Breast, soak duck in salt water, then marinate. Grill to perfection, ensuring a rich, smoky flavor.
- To prepare Christmas Pomegranate Salad, combine fresh greens with pomegranate seeds and feta cheese. Dress with a light vinaigrette for a festive touch.
- For Christmas Cranberry Salad, mix cranberries with nuts and a creamy dressing. Chill the salad before serving for a refreshing side.
- To make Candied Sweet Potatoes, slice sweet potatoes and bake them with sugar and butter. Cook until they are caramelized and tender.
- For Buttery Garlic Green Beans, sauté green beans with garlic and butter. Serve as a quick and flavorful vegetable side.
- To roast Christmas Goose, start with a pre-cooked smoked goose. Roast until the skin is crispy and the meat is juicy.
- For Holiday Cranberry Sauce, boil cranberries with sugar and water until thickened. Cool and serve as a tangy accompaniment.
- To prepare Stuffed Acorn Squash, fill acorn squash halves with a mixture of cornbread, mushrooms, and wild rice. Bake until the squash is tender.
- For Roasted Pork Shoulder with Pomegranate Sauce, marinate pork in balsamic vinegar and seasonings. Roast until juicy and serve with a pomegranate sauce.
- To make Creamy Corn Pudding, mix corn with cream and seasonings. Bake until set and browned on top for a sweet and savory side.
- For Christmas Roasted Vegetables, toss root vegetables with olive oil, vinegar, and herbs. Roast until tender and caramelized.
- To create Fresh Spinach Gratin, layer fresh spinach with Swiss cheese and a breadcrumb topping. Bake until bubbly and golden.
- For Cornish Game Hens with Garlic and Rosemary, stuff the hens with rosemary and lemon. Roast until the skin is golden and crisp.
- To prepare Cranberry Stuffed Turkey Breasts, fill turkey breasts with a cranberry mixture. Bake until the meat is cooked through and juicy.
Ingredients
- Honey-Glazed Ham:
- Ham
- Honey
- Glaze ingredients (unspecified)
- Scalloped Potatoes:
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Creamy sauce (unspecified)
- Milk
- Green Bean Casserole:
- Green beans
- French fried onions
- Cheddar cheese
- Roast Turkey and Gravy:
- Turkey
- Butter
- Mashed Potatoes:
- Potatoes
- Butter
- Cream
- Prime Rib:
- Boneless prime rib roast
- Horseradish
- Mustard
- Seasonings
- Yorkshire Pudding:
- Traditional Yorkshire pudding ingredients (unspecified)
- Beef Wellington:
- Beef filets
- Mushrooms
- Grilled Wild Duck Breast:
- Duck breast
- Salt
- Ice water
- Pomegranate Salad:
- – Pomegranate
- – Nuts (optional)
- – Cheese (optional)
- Cranberry Salad:
- – Cranberries
- Candied Sweet Potatoes:
- – Sweet potatoes
- Buttery Garlic Green Beans:
- – Green beans
- – Butter
- – Garlic
- Roast Christmas Goose:
- – Goose (pre-cooked, smoked)
- Cranberry Sauce:
- – Cranberries
- Stuffed Acorn Squash:
- – Acorn squash
- – Cornbread
- – Mushrooms
- – Wild rice
- – Sage
- Roasted Pork Shoulder with Pomegranate Sauce:
- – Pork loin
- – Balsamic vinegar
- – Olive oil
- – Steak seasoning rub
- Creamy Corn Pudding:
- – Corn
- Christmas Roasted Vegetables:
- – Squash
- – Sweet potatoes
- – Carrots
- – Rutabaga
- – Olive oil
- – Red wine vinegar
- – Lemon juice
- – Herbs
- Spinach Gratin:
- – Fresh spinach
- – Swiss cheese
- – Breadcrumb topping
- Cornish Game Hens with Garlic and Rosemary:
- – Cornish game hens
- – Garlic
- – Rosemary
- – Lemon wedge
- Cranberry Stuffed Turkey Breasts:
- – Turkey breasts
- – Cranberry stuffing ingredients (unspecified)
FAQ
- What makes Chef John’s Honey-Glazed Ham special?
- Chef John highlights that a perfect holiday ham glaze should have a delightful flavor, a shiny appearance, and a crispy crust. His easy-to-make glaze recipe excels in all these aspects.
- What is the key to making Mom’s Scalloped Potatoes?
- The secret to this classic scalloped potatoes recipe is heating the milk before combining it with the potatoes and onions, as noted by janebp, who learned this method from her mother.
- How can you ensure a moist and delicious roast turkey?
- According to Chef John, one key to a succulent and flavorful turkey is spreading seasoned butter under the skin. This method offers endless possibilities for flavor variations.
- What makes the Christmas Prime Rib a standout dish?
- This boneless prime rib roast is seasoned with horseradish, mustard, and other spices, then roasted to perfection. Diane Yearns praises it as the best meat dish she’s ever prepared, making it a potential annual Christmas tradition.
- What is unique about Chef John’s Roast Christmas Goose?
- This recipe simplifies the preparation of a classic Christmas goose by starting with a pre-cooked smoked bird, resulting in a rich, moist, and delicious dish with crispy skin.
Tips
- For Perfect Scalloped Potatoes: Ensure to heat the milk before combining it with the potatoes and onions. This step helps achieve a creamy consistency and enhances the flavors.
- Achieve Moist and Flavorful Turkey: Spread butter under the turkey skin before roasting. You can customize the butter with your choice of seasonings for a unique taste.
- Enhance Green Bean Casserole: Sprinkle French fried onions and Cheddar cheese on top for added texture and flavor to this classic Christmas side dish.
- Rich Holiday Mashed Potatoes: Don’t be shy with the butter and cream to make your mashed potatoes extra rich and indulgent, perfect for special occasions.
Equipment
- Meat Thermometer – Useful for ensuring that meats like prime rib, turkey, and roast goose are cooked to the proper temperature.
- Roasting Pan with Rack – Essential for roasting meats such as turkey, goose, or pork shoulder.
- Mandoline Slicer – Handy for evenly slicing potatoes for scalloped potatoes or other vegetables.
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer – Useful for whipping mashed potatoes to a creamy consistency.
- Gravy Separator – Helps in making smooth gravy by separating fat from the drippings.
- Pastry Brush – Useful for applying glaze on ham or butter under turkey skin.
- Yorkshire Pudding Pan or Muffin Tin – Specialized pan for making Yorkshire pudding.
- Blender or Food Processor – Could be used for making smooth sauces or purees.
- Dutch Oven or Large Casserole Dish – Useful for dishes like beef Wellington or for roasting vegetables.
- Acorn Squash Corer – Helpful for coring and preparing stuffed acorn squash.
