By Stacey Stein
Thoughts of Christmas
may evoke images of a traditional sit-down dinner, a giant turkey serving as
the centrepiece of the table.
But there’s no reason you can’t break with
tradition while still honouring the holiday, weaving traditional foods into a
non-traditional Christmas meal.
“People get stuck on their traditions but
it’s okay to switch things up and try something new,” says registered dietitian
Shannon Crocker. “The most important thing is being together and celebrating.”
With that in mind, here are some ideas for
customizing your Christmas festivities to suit your personal style and the crowd
you’ll be hosting for the holiday.
The
theme: A buffet-style Christmas dinner
Best
suited for: A large group of people
The
eats:
Mains: For a
fun spin on a traditional roasted turkey, Crocker recommends making a stuffed
turkey breast for your entrée – try this
holiday-oriented recipe, which incorporates cranberries and pecans. Another
option is stuffed lamb – featuring mozzarella cheese, sundried tomatoes and
breadcrumbs, this
recipe is sure to dial up the festive spirit and leave guests feeling sated.
Remember to double – or even triple – these recipes if you’re hosting a very
large group. To save time, Crocker recommends preparing the stuffing the day
before.
Sides: A
much-loved comfort food, potatoes are a traditional holiday side dish that you’ll
probably want to include in your Christmas menu. One of the great attributes of
the humble potato is its versatility. Get creative with potato-based side
dishes like this rich and satisfying potato
and cheese gratin, this sweet and savoury coconut
and sweet potato mash or a crowd-pleasing side that combines mashed
sweet potatoes with cheddar cheese.
Another side dish idea that works well for
a large gathering is this green
bean recipe. Walnuts and goat cheese lend the dish a complex flavour
profile that belies the recipe’s simplicity.
Dessert:
Christmas and candy canes go hand in hand, which is why you can’t go wrong with
a dessert that highlights this festive confection. For two very different takes
on a candy cane-themed dessert, you can try making this chocolate
candy cane cheesecake and this candy cane
shortbread.
The
theme: A classy Christmas cocktail party
Best
suited for: An adults-only affair
The
eats:
Main alternatives: A cocktail party is the antithesis of the standard sit-down meal,
so forget making a huge turkey roast. Instead, think of elegant finger foods to
replace traditional mains – this doesn’t mean doing away with typical Christmas
foods, it just means preparing and presenting them in a different way. If you
can’t imagine Christmas without turkey, why not serve turkey satays? Simply cut
the turkey into strips, toss with your favourite marinade and serve with a dip,
like this horseradish
beer cheese that blends pale ale beer with sour cream and horseradish
cheddar cheese. Another way to incorporate turkey into your Christmas cocktail
party is with this flatbread
recipe – just swap out turkey for the chicken.
Apps: For an
elegant take on the crudité platter, Crocker recommends replacing raw
vegetables with roasted veggies. Roasted carrots, parsnip, mushrooms and
cauliflower all work well and can be served cold. Kick up your platter several
notches by pairing your veggies with a tasty dip, like this maple
chive sour cream or this bacon
horseradish dip.
Food served on a board will elevate any
cocktail party – Crocker notes this is still very much on trend. Ideas include a
farmers’
market cheese board or this Brie
fondue featuring apples and butternut squash.
These jumbo
shrimp canapés will add sophistication to your cocktail party – Crocker
recommends making them lighter by replacing the whipped cream with Nordica Smooth
Plain.
Dessert & drinks: Extend the board theme by putting together a fruit board for
dessert. To satisfy guests with a sweet tooth, mix in some cookies, like these chocolate
ginger slices or these dark
chocolate espresso cookies. If you’re looking for a unique signature
cocktail for your Christmas soiree, this chai
coconut white Russian, which blends vodka and Kahlua with chai tea, is sure
to wow your guests.
The
theme: Christmas brunch
Best
suited for: Everyone
The
eats:
Wonderful waffles: Universally loved by adults and kids, waffles can be used in a
multitude of recipes for Christmas brunch. If you hosted a Christmas dinner and
you have some leftover roasted turkey, you can use it in these holiday-themed turkey,
cranberry and cheddar waffle sandwiches – simply replace the deli turkey
with your leftovers. Instead of using frozen waffles, Crocker recommends making
your own.
For something on the sweeter side, try
these homemade
waffles topped with roasted strawberries and goat cheese whipped cream. A
waffle bar is a fun idea for kids and adults alike. Put out a tray of waffles
along with a variety of toppings, such as chopped fruit, preserves, toasted
walnuts or pecans, chocolate chips, and whipped cream. To save yourself some
time, you can make the waffle batter up to three days in advance and then cook
the waffles the morning of your brunch.
Excellent eggs: The definition of versatility, eggs are the quintessential brunch
food. Mix them with cheddar cheese, ricotta and potatoes in these mini
frittatas, a kid-friendly and easy dish if you’re hosting a large group of
people. Pair the frittatas with a light leafy green salad, fresh fruit and
croissants (either store-bought or try making your own using this
recipe).
Quiche lovers can substitute turkey for
smoked chicken in this quiche
recipe, which also features asparagus, spinach, and Brie.
Desserts: Gingerbread
cookie bark is on point with the holiday – serve at brunch or send guests
home with some bark as a homemade gift. You can also serve a classic coffee
cake – it’s the perfect sweet, yet not too decadent, finish to a holiday
brunch.
Drinks: The
Christmas holiday is a good reason to ditch the O.J. and opt for a more
creative and unexpected brunch drink, like this pineapple
Caesar with grilled Halloumi. For those who can’t live without their
morning cup of joe, replace the pedestrian cup of coffee with this boozy nutty
coconut coffee – hazelnut liqueur and rum jazz up this popular morning
beverage.
