The Christmas holiday is upon us. And what better way to spread joy and warmth than through the delicious aromas and flavours of festive dishes?
However, coming up with the perfect recipe is not as easy as you may perceive. You want to make a juicy meal but, again, not spend the entire day in the kitchen.

Between decorating the Christmas tree, buying gifts, and generally setting up the house, you will have little time to brainstorm recipe ideas. But worry not. Below, we have put together recipe ideas for a delightful Christmas holiday this year. Whether you are hosting a Christmas dinner party for friends and family or just an intimate dinner for two, our list may be just what you need to leave a lasting impression this holiday season.

Roast Turkey with Cranberry Glaze

A succulent roast turkey is often a centrepiece of many Christmas feasts. In fact, for many people, it isn’t a Christmas dinner without a turkey. If this is you, why not give the bird a twist with luscious cranberry glaze this year?

Start by seasoning the turkey with your favourite spices and salt. Create herb butter by mixing softened butter with the spices and applying it under the skin and all over the outside of the turkey. This can be done a day or a few hours before cooking time.
When ready to roast, truss the turkey with a kitchen twin to help it cook evenly. Place it in the preheated oven and roast. The time to roast should be calculated based on the weight of the turkey.
As a thumb rule, calculate 13 minutes of cooking time per pound. Start basting the turkey with the cranberry glaze 30 minutes before it is done. Do this every 15 minutes.
The cranberry glaze is made by cooking a mixture of fresh or frozen cranberries, orange juice, chicken broth, brown sugar, and cranberry sauce for 15-20 minutes until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens. Once the temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F (74°C), remove the turkey and cover it with a foil for 20-30 minutes, then serve

Baked Ham with Maple and Mustard Glaze

If you want an alternative or to complement the turkey, a baked ham with a maple and mustard glaze is a perfect choice. Combining sweet maple syrup and tangy Dijon mustard will give a savoury-sweet fresh flavour explosion.

Whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, brown sugar, ground cloves, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to make the glaze. Apply the glaze to the ham using a brush. If the ham is not pre-sliced, score the surface in a diamond pattern with a sharp knife so the glaze can penetrate better.
Bake the ham in the oven, uncovered, and baste with the glaze every 30 minutes.
Set cooking time depending on the size of the ham, the guideline being 15-20 minutes of baking time per pound.
The ham should reach an internal temperature of approximately 140°F (60°C). Once the ham reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the oven, tent it loosely with foil, and allow it to rest for about 15-20 minutes before serving.

Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a classic dish often present on many Christmas dinner tables. But infusing it with roasted garlic changes everything. The result is a velvety, flavorful mash that pairs perfectly with your festive main courses.

Here is how to do it. Put clean and peeled potatoes in a pan, and add cold water to cover the potatoes. Add salt to taste and cook till the potatoes are tender. Drain all the water, add roasted garlic and mash. Add cream and butter and mash to you preferred consistency. You can also season, but it’s optional.

Pomegranate and Feta Salad

For a colourful and flavourful side, add pomegranate and feta Salad. This one is easy to make. Combine mixed greens (spinach, arugula, or mixed baby greens), pomegranate seeds, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped nuts (optional) in a large bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk extra virgin oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour this dressing over the ingredients and toss gently for an even coating. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

Gingerbread Cheesecake Bites

Start preparing the crust by combining the gingersnap cookie crumbs and unsalted melted butter until evenly coated. Line a mini muffin tin with mini cupcake liners and press a small amount of the gingersnap crust mixture into the bottom of each cup.

In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and flour, each ingredient at a time, and beat until the batter is smooth.
Spoon the batter into the prepared mini muffin cups over the gingersnap crust and fill each cup almost to the top. Bake in a preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes. After cooling for two hours, serve them with a dollop of whipped cream.

Final Word

When you see brands like Lottoland, a UK online lottery company, offering holiday-themed games and promotions, you can clearly tell Christmas is around the corner.
And with everyone seeking creative ways to make the most out of this festive season, the recipe ideas above can be a good starting point for a delightful Christmas holiday.
And the best part is you can add a personal touch by replacing some of the optional ingredients with what you love. Happy holidays!

^{This is a guest post; Pastabites is not the author of the content.}