Hosting your first Christmas dinner and in need of recipes? Hosting your 20th Christmas and looking for new menu ideas? I’ve got you covered. These Blue Ribbon recipes will be a delicious addition to your Christmas meal.
Angela Lynch’s Cranberry Chutney is a beautiful appetizer to have out for guests as they arrive. Some cranberry chutney recipes have tons of steps. This one couldn’t be easier and is incredibly delicious.
“I like to make this for Christmas parties,” explains Angela. “You can make this up and refrigerate overnight.”
It has a mix of tart cranberries, sweet apples, and rich dried figs that make a beautiful fruit combination. I love it poured over a block of cream cheese and served with some crackers. But, if you have any leftover it would be great with ham or turkey.
There’s always a great debate about the centerpiece of Christmas dinner. Some feel ham is a must while others can’t imagine the day without a roast. Not knowing what your family likes, I thought I’d share a flavorful recipe for both.
“I make this often for big dinners,” says D. Courtney (Ames, IA) of her Tasty Baked Ham. “It fills the house with a great aroma!”
We loved the flavor from the sweet and tangy glaze on this ham. It’s three simple ingredients that pack a big punch of flavor. Brown sugar and maple syrup caramelize and add a sweetness that’s balanced out by the tangy Dijon mustard. It’s a flavorful combination.
Prime rib is an expensive cut of meat so having a foolproof method of cooking it is key. Follow Deb Crane’s (Eagle, WI) instructions for her Prime Rib Roast Au Jus Perfect Every Time and you’ll have a tender, succulent roast your family will love.
“This is my go-to recipe for perfect prime rib roast every.single.time,” reveals Deb. “No matter what size roast you are cooking, the directions are the same. Very simple!”
There are no fancy seasonings in this recipe – just salt and pepper. The true flavor of the meat shines bright. The simple Au Jus is the perfect touch. This easy to follow roast recipe will be delicious for Christmas.
Want some side dish inspiration? Green bean casserole is a holiday staple and Tessa Pasquill’s Beyond Yummy Green Bean Casserole recipe really is beyond yummy.
“My husband always loves it when I make this and people always are asking me for the recipe,” says Tessa. “It’s pretty easy and works great as a side dish.”
Using fresh green beans and a homemade sauce is what makes this green bean casserole recipe so delicious. I was impressed by how quick the sauce is to make and the casserole is easy to put together. The cheesy, buttery and crunchy topping is yummy too.
I loved hominy as a kid, so I anxiously waited until I could dig into Rebecca Hallstrom’s (Oklahoma City, OK) Christmas Hominy recipe.
“I call this Christmas Hominy because, for some reason, I only make it during the Christmas season – for potlucks at work or our Christmas Eve buffet,” notes Rebecca. “Yummy, cheesy, always gets rave reviews!”
If you’re not familiar with hominy, it’s kernels of corn that have been dried and soaked in lye or lime (calcium hydroxide, not the fruit). It’s washed to remove any of the bitter flavors. When this happens, the kernels puff up which gives hominy its shape.
Rebecca’s recipe is cheesy and creamy. She adds green chilies that add a little kick to the dish. It would be great served alongside ham or beef at your holiday meal.
Hopefully, these recipes will help you start planning your holiday meal. Our Festive Feasts recipe collection has even more recipes that will help you round out your meal. Happy Pinching!