The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year…but they can also be hectic and stressful, what with all the travel, menu planning ideas, decking the halls, shopping and family getting together in close quarters, while the snow merrily falls outside.
One easy way to relax and enjoy the season is planning your perfect Christmas menu well in advance, and getting all the ingredients purchased and delivered with plenty of time, so you’re not running out at the last minute, in the middle of a snowstorm, to get an essential item for that must-make dish. So what's the plan? Make like a Boy Scout and be prepared! Make your list, check it twice, shop, and cook! To help you out, we’ve designed a special, foolproof Christmas menu featuring our best ingredients, for a fabulous, sophisticated and most importantly, stress-free Christmas dinner!
The Gourmet Food World Christmas Menu
APPETIZERS
Brown Sugar Baked Camembert Mini Tarts
Is anything as delicious as the smell of brown sugar baking? We can’t think of a thing! These irresistible mini tarts make for the perfect seasonal appetizer, lusciously filled with French Camembert cheese, slices of crisp apples and meaty walnuts. Just fill the pre-made mini tart shells with the ingredients and bake for 5 minutes, and you’ve got a mouthwatering start to your feast!
View The Brown Sugar Baked Camembert Mini Tarts Recipe
Avocado Shrimp Smoked Salmon Appetizer Rolls
This recipe has everything nice! Smoked salmon enrobes tasty shrimp, meaty avocado and pieces of juicy mango (which you can replace for your favorite season fruit), and then topped with caviar. The epitome of class and sophistication, all rolled up in a thin slice of buttery smoked salmon.
View The Avocado Shrimp Smoked Salmon Appetizer Rolls Recipe
Fresh Truffle Crostini Appetizer
Fresh truffles elevate any dish and occasion, and they couldn’t be missing from our most special event of the year. Just grab the freshest, crunchiest bagette from the bakery, slice and toast, then top with a blend of fresh tomatoes, garlic and truffle salt and oil. Top it all off with the thinnest slices of fresh black truffles (or white, if you really want to go all out), and you’ve got a striking Christmas.
View The Fresh Truffle Crostini Appetizer Recipe
ENTREE AND SIDES
Glazed Ham
You can’t go wrong with a classic, stunning Christmas ham to create the perfect centerpiece for the holiday table. Our glazed ham is a crowd-pleaser, meaty and just sweet enough. We glazed ours with a mix of fine red wine and sugar, making it utterly mouthwatering. Serve hot for your Christmas dinner, and then use the leftovers for sandwiches, breakfast or brunch.
View The Christmas Glazed Ham Recipe
Rustic Rosemary and Maldon Salt Roasted Potatoes
Perfectly crisp wedges of roasted potatoes seasoned with fine Maldon Salt and fragrant rosemary are the perfect partners to the main dish. They’re a simple and uncomplicated side that everyone will love, and they’re really not difficult to make, leaving you time to prep everything else while they merrily roast in the oven.
View The Rustic Rosemary and Maldon Salt Roasted Potatoes Recipe
DESSERT
Nutella Crepe Tower
In our book, the best Christmas dessert is delicious AND festive, something that you’re proud to display on your holiday table but also can’t wait to dig into. This Nutella Crepe Cake fits the bill! Layers upon layers of light, delicate fresh crepes are smothered in delicious Nutella spread, finished off with a sweet and light confectioners sugar, and garnished with gorgeous “snowed” mistletoe sprigs. And this, folks, is how you win at Christmas!
View The Nutella Crepe Tower Recipe
Red Velvet Cake Balls
These cheery and bright cake balls are perfect to serve as an after dinner treat, to pair along with espresso, tea or Cognac. You can prepare them a few days in advance. And, if you made an extra large batch, these make wonderful souvenirs and holiday gifts – package them in clear cellophane bags and tie with festive string, and have your guests leave with a delicious keepsake of your Christmas dinner!
View The Red Velvet Cake Balls