From Nana’s Famous Egg Dish to Spiced Sangria and Bourbon Pecan Pie, these are our favorite holiday recipes that we enjoy every Christmas!
Hello friends!! ‘Tis the season for festive food and drink. As we get closer to Christmas, I get more and more excited to whip up our favorite holiday recipes and enjoy the holidays with the family.
While most of the time I aim to eat nutritious recipes with greens and protein and fresh healthy ingredients (like these spa kitchen recipes), I like to live by the 80/20 perspective, leaving plenty of room for special treats. I’m also a big believer in enjoying holidays, special food and time together without worrying too much about what I’m eating.
Year after year, we try to include many traditional recipes among the mealtime offerings. For example, it is a tradition to have Overnight Cinnamon Rolls by Alton Brown on Christmas morning when opening presents. Making these comforting and delicious holiday recipes is one of our favorite ways to make breakfast, lunch or dinner extra special. So, with that in mind, I thought I’d share our favorite holiday recipes, from brunch casseroles to spiced sangria to Ina’s rib roast. Let’s dig in!
Our favorite holiday recipes
Nana’s famous egg dish
This egg casserole is perfect for any brunch or holiday celebration. It freezes great to make and tastes amazing with pico de gallo salsa.
Madre’s famous Grammie recipe
Oh, you must try Madre’s famous Grammie recipe! It’s the perfect holiday dessert – a delicious cookie that will satisfy even the sweetest tooth. Trust me, after one bite, you’ll be begging for the recipe.
Green beans with goat cheese, almonds & cranberries
These green beans are bright and fresh, with creamy goat cheese, orange zest, crunchy almonds and sweet cranberries. The recipe is gluten free and only takes 15 minutes from start to finish.
The ultimate fall and winter salad
This salad is a fall dream come true. It has butternut squash, spicy arugula, spicy vinaigrette, chicken, pumpkin seeds and goat cheese. It’s perfect for any holiday gathering or party and makes a side dish full of vegetables. My vegetarian friends can easily skip the chicken and it’s just as delicious without it.
The best raw chocolate tart
This raw chocolate tart, made with cashews and cacao and an almond coconut crust is a decadent gluten-free dessert that requires no cooking at all!
Holiday Spice Sangria
Holiday Spice Sangria! It’s made before every holiday soiree, and the flavors get better over a few days. It’s perfect for parties as it’s a fun change from the usual bottle of vino.
Ina Garten’s Mulled Wine
Warm up with a pot of Ina Garten’s Mulled Wine recipe, a blend of apple cider and red wine infused with cinnamon, cloves and orange.
Ina’s Sunday Rib Roast
Ina’s Sunday Rib Roast with Horseradish Mustard is often the centerpiece at a holiday party. It’s a crowd favorite.
Ina’s Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie
Another favorite from Ina. Chocolate, bourbon and pecans – what’s not to love? I’ve already done it twice this year and plan to do it again on Saturday. I just use the Gluten Free Frozen Crust from Whole Foods.
Our menu for the Christmas weekend
Here’s what our menu will look like this year:
Christmas Eve
Dinner at my dad’s house is always a feast of delicious food and treats. We usually enjoy some Mexican buffet food, with tamales, enchiladas, beans and rice, and a variety of desserts. My aunt usually makes eggnog and it is SO good.
Christmas day is at our house. We host breakfast and open presents, then everyone goes home to relax/nap, then come back for dinner, desserts and cocktails.
Here is our usual menu:
Christmas Brunch:
- Nana’s Egg Casserole
- Alton Brown Cinnamon Rolls
- Bacon or ham (I haven’t decided yet)
- Tamales and beans (from madre!)
- Coffee and mimosa
Christmas Day Dinner:
- Cheese board and artichoke dip with crackers
- Mediterranean chopped salad
- Smoked turkey at Traeger
- Stuffing and sauce
- Beef fillet with horseradish sauce
- Cheese fries (Madre)
- Fresh sourdough
- Bourbon pecan pie + dessert platter (tons of different cookies and candies)
- Mulled wine, eggnog and champagne
It should be a very good, and very tasty feast ahead 😉
I would love to hear what you have on your holiday menu this year!! Brussels sprouts, cheese balls, fun appetizers, yule log? Share your favorite holidays in the comments below!
xo
Gina
You can also enjoy:
