Recipes for Christmas Dinner

What should you make?

The holidays are finally here, so that means it's time to start researching recipes for Christmas dinner! What will you make for the big night?

Great Recipes for Christmas Dinner

When deciding on recipes for Christmas dinner, there are a few things to consider. Do you want a traditional meal or do you want to try something a new and exciting? Does anyone coming to dinner have any dietary restrictions? Are you limited by space, time, or ingredients? Are you doing courses or a big family-style affair? With these factors in mind, start planning what to make.

Here are a few great recipes that you can make for Christmas dinner. All are wonderful and perfect for the holiday season!

Super Crispy Roast Chicken

This recipe will give you a very crispy bird for your Christmas dinner. Everyone loves crispy skin!

Ingredients

  • 1 3-ounce package of picking spice or crab boil
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 fryer chicken, about 4 pounds
  • 1 lemon, cut into quarters
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Pour 1 quart of water into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add pickling spices, salt, and onion to water and boil for 20 minutes.
  2. Allow liquid to cool and place in a stock pot that is large enough to hold your entire chicken.
  3. Add chicken to pot with liquid and add enough cool water to cover the bird.
  4. Cover and refrigerate 24 hours.
  5. Drain and pat the chicken dry, removing any spices that are stuck to the bird.
  6. Place the chicken in a roasting pan on a rack, stuff the lemon quarters into the cavity and rub black pepper all over the skin.
  7. Roast uncovered at 350°F for 60 minutes or until thigh temperatures measures 170°F. Serve hot.

Potatoes au Gratin

What is a holiday dinner without potatoes au gratin? This creamy dish is very comforting and perfect for Christmas dinner.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cups low-fat milk
  • 5 large potatoes, peeled and sliced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions

This is your big night!
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Grease a medium-sized casserole dish.
  3. In a medium sauce pan, melt butter and add flour, salt, and pepper. Stir until combined and pour in milk. Cook until thick, stirring constantly. Set aside.
  4. In the casserole dish, create a layer of potatoes, then a layer of onions, then a layer of cheese. Pour 1/4 of the milk mixture over the layer. Repeat the layering process, making sure to save enough of the milk sauce to pour over the top once the layers are done.
  5. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 1 hour. Remove the foil and bake until golden brown.

Hearty Spinach Salad

Looking for salad recipes for Christmas dinner? Look no further - this dish is fresh and light, so you can save room for dessert!

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup caesar salad dressing
  • 1/2 cup tablespoons cottage cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 bag of fresh baby spinach, washed
  • 1 can mandarin orange slices

Instructions

  1. Mix dressing and cottage cheese in a bowl. Refrigerate for two hours.
  2. After two hours has passed, mix in salt and pour dressing over spinach.
  3. Toss and dish into bowl. Top each bowl with three mandarin slices.
  4. Serve immediately.

Variations:

  • Instead of mandarin orange slices, mix 1/2 apple, diced, and 1/4 cup of dried cranberries into the salad after mixing the spinach and dressing. Allow to rest for five minutes, then toss again before serving.
  • For an extra rich dish, substitute 1/2 cup of crème fraiche for the cottage cheese. Serve in small bowls to compensate for richness, or try serving in tiny cups as an amuse bouche.
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