Whether it is Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Friendsgiving, there is something quite nice about a big feast. It’s a lot of work to do often, but so worth it when there are leftovers. Everyone gathered around the table and sharing a meal, time together, and being grateful for these precious moments. This is especially true if you live far away from family, like I do. Part of it is, of course, the food too. For this reason, I’m sharing all the recipes we love, plus one or two I dream of trying. Away we go…
Above is a simple plate with Ina Garten’s roast turkey, my cranberry sauce, Alton Brown’s green bean casserole, and my dad’s sweet potato casserole. All these recipes are below. I’ve organised them by course (starters, mains, sides, dessert).
Starters
Spicy Artichoke Cheese Dip – Alice’s recipe
Spiced Nuts in the Air Fryer – My recipe variation from the Union Square Cafe NYC
Baked Brie en Croute with Spicy Berry Sauce – My recipe
Gougères – Recipe from Alain Ducasse
Mini Brioche Lobster Rolls – Recipe from Grace Parisi
Mains
Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast (this is what I make with my brined turkey breast from Chicken Inn in Cork’s English Market) – Recipe from Ina Garten
Homemade Cranberry Sauce (technically a side, but for me it’s essential for the main course so I’m putting it right here with the turkey recipe I use) – My Recipe – PHOTO ABOVE
Duck a l’Orange (this was made if my dad did the cooking) – Recipe from Julia Child
Brined and Roast Lemon/Parsley/Garlic Turkey (this is if I go to my SIL’s house) – Recipe from Gordon Ramsay
Roast Chicken with Homemade Basting Butter (this was if my mom did the cooking) – My mom’s recipe
Beef Wellington or Mushroom Wellington (vegetarian alternative)
Sides
Easy Peasy Homemade Mac N Cheese – My Recipe
Green Bean Casserole – Recipe from Alton Brown
Sweet Potato & Pecan Bake – My dad’s recipe
Dijon Brussels Sprouts – Recipe from Stephanie O’Dea – PHOTO ABOVE
Brussels Sprouts with Dill Butter – Recipe from Martha Stewart
Baked Thanksgiving Dressing Balls, aka Stuffin’ Muffins – My mom’s recipe
English Peas with Mint – Epicurious’s Recipe
Garlic Mashed Potatoes – Recipe from Caitriona Redmond
Candied Yams – Recipe from Millie Peartree
Roast Mushrooms and Spinach – Recipe from Millie Peartree
Soul Food Cornbread Dressing – Recipe from Mandy River
Dessert
Sweet Potato Pie – Recipe from Michael W. Twitty’s book The Cooking Gene
Pumpkin Pie Recipe – My Grandma’s Recipe
Pie Crust Recipe – My Great-Grandmother’s Recipe
Cherry Pie – My Recipe
Apple Pie – My Recipe – PHOTO ABOVE
Chestnut Panna Cotta with Moscati-Poached Pears – Cheznuts’s Recipe
Irish Cream Cheesecake from Scratch – My Grandmother’s Great-Aunt’s Recipe
If you need to refer to these visually, I have a Pinterest board dedicated to my holiday menu.
I am preparing my Christmas dinner a day early because we have a master plan. On Christmas Eve, I am preparing the turkey along with the sides that reheat well. On Christmas Day, I will reheat the Christmas Eve foods and prepare the additional sides. All this means, we are able to enjoy the foods without having too much at once. Then on St. Stephen’s Day (the 26th), we will enjoy leftovers and much-anticipated brie, cranberry, turkey sandwiches.