From Nana’s famous egg casserole 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 drinks. As we approach Christmas, I’m increasingly excited to prepare our favorite holiday recipes and enjoy the holiday with family.
While most of the time I aim to eat nutritious recipes with veggies, protein, and fresh, healthy ingredients (like these Spa Kitchen recipes), I like to live with an 80/20 perspective, allowing plenty of room for special treats. I’m also a big believer in enjoying the holidays, special food, and time spent together without worrying too much about what I eat.
Year after year, we include many traditional recipes among our mealtime offerings. For example, it’s tradition to eat Alton Brown’s cinnamon rolls all night on Christmas morning while opening presents. Preparing these comforting and delicious holiday recipes is one of our favorite ways to make breakfast, lunch or dinner extra special. So, in that spirit, I thought I’d share our favorite holiday recipes, from brunch dishes to spiced sangria and Ina’s grilled ribs. Let’s dig!
Our favorite holiday recipes
Nana’s famous egg dish
This egg casserole is perfect for any brunch or holiday celebration. It freezes beautifully to serve and tastes great with pico de gallo sauce.
Grammy’s famous madre recipe
Oh, you have to try Madre’s famous Grammy recipe! It’s the perfect holiday dessert – a delicious cookie bar 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 and cranberries
These green beans are bright and fresh, with creamy goat cheese, orange peel, crunchy almonds, and sweet cranberries. The recipe is gluten-free and takes just 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, a tangy vinaigrette, chicken, pumpkin seeds, and goat cheese. It’s perfect for any holiday gatherings or parties and makes a filling side dish of vegetables. My vegetarian friends can easily omit the chicken, and it will taste delicious without it.
The best raw chocolate tart
Made with cashews, cocoa, almond shells, and coconut, this raw chocolate tart is a gluten-free dessert that requires no cooking!
Holiday Spice Sangria
Holiday spice sangria! It’s made in advance of any holiday soirées, and the flavors improve over the course of a few days. It’s perfect for taking to parties, as it’s a fun change from the usual bottle of wine.
Hot wine at Ina Garten
Warm up with a bowl 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 Grilled Prime Rib with Horseradish Mustard is often the center of attention 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 done it twice this year already and plan to do it again on Saturday. I only use the gluten-free frozen crust from Whole Foods.
Our Christmas menu this weekend
Here’s what our list will look like this year:
christmas eve
Dinner at my parents’ house is always a celebration of delicious foods and desserts. We usually enjoy a type of Mexican food buffet, with tamales, enchiladas, beans and rice, as well as a variety of desserts. My aunt usually makes eggs and they are very good.
Christmas day at our house. We host breakfast and open presents, then everyone goes home to relax/nap and then come back for dinner, desserts, and cocktails.
Here’s our usual list:
Christmas lunch:
- Nana’s egg casserole
- Alton Brown Cinnamon Rolls
- Bacon or ham (I haven’t decided yet)
- Tamales and beans (from Madre!)
- Coffee and mimosas
Christmas Day dinner:
- Cheese and artichoke board with crackers
- Chopped Mediterranean salad
- Smoked turkey on a traeger
- Stuffing and gravy
- Beef tenderloin with horseradish sauce
- Cheese Fries (Madre)
- Fresh sourdough
- Bourbon Pecan Pie + Dessert Platter (tons of different cookies and desserts)
- Hot wine, eggnog and champagne
It should be a very good and very delicious celebration ahead 😉
I would love to hear what you have on your holiday list this year!! Brussels sprouts, cheese ball, fun appetizer, Christmas log? Please share your holiday favorites in the comments below!
xo
Jenna
You can also enjoy: