A week ahead of Christmas the party mood begins and from shopping to baking to soaking nuts in rum, taking out the best crockery and decoration the house, the whole atmosphere is festive. While a lot of food is prepared during Christmas, there are some traditional recipes without which the festival is incomplete.
They are being made on the festival since centuries and there is a lot of nostalgia attached to them. For example, Shepherd's Pie is made only during Christmas and so are Gingerbread cookies. If you are a lover of pot roasts, you would know that you have to wait for a whole year to dig into that perfectly roasted duck or turkey. Most of these dishes that also include Christmas Pudding, Eggnog, Christmas Cakes, Plum Cake, Mince Pie are made following conventional and heirloom recipes.
While there is no one formula to bake the perfect Plum Cake, you will find different families relishing their own versions. In a similar manner, you can have umpteen variations of Gingerbread cookies too. The Christmas day feast is rich and substantial and it comprises of quite a number of dishes. Brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips, potatoes and sweet potatoes are abundantly used in the dishes prepared during Christmas. Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Potatoes, Stir-Fried Sweet Potatoes, Salads, Dips, Streaks and Pot Pies are other side dishes that are a must have on the Christmas table.
Desserts are quite elaborate and include Christmas Pudding, Cupcakes of a wide variety, brownies, puddings and pastries. Here is a list of ten traditional Christmas recipes that are a must have during the festival. Have a look!
Plum Cake
Plum Cake is Christma's favourite cake. Made with nuts and raisins, this bitter-sweet cake is made with flour, sugar, eggs and nuts soaked in rum or scotch. In fact, the preparation towards making this cake begins way in advance with the cake mixing ceremony wherein the nuts are first mixed with rum and scotch and then are allowed to soak for over a month to get that amazing flavour!
Roasted Chicken
A Christmas dinner is incomplete without this delightful baked chicken. While the traditional Christmas dinner has roasted turkey, many people who are not too fond of the bird go for chicken. Follow this recipe for a perfectly baked juicy and aromatic chicken. Serve it with the continental food of your choice.
Eggnog
Eggnog is a delectable drink made particularly during Christmas. With milk, cream and egg as its main ingredients, it is often flavoured with cinnamon and nutmeg and has an amazing taste. You can have it warm or cold and eggnog is often served with rum or brandy and it keeps the body warm during harsh winter months.
Christmas Cookies
What is Christmas without those crunchy, tasty cookies? Made with flour, sugar and butter, these cookies are often used as Christmas giveaways and are loved by kids and adults alike. To add extra flavour to your cookies, add honey instead of sugar.
Cranberry Pumpkin Cake
Christmas is incomplete without a plate full of fruit cake. This Cranberry Pumpkin Cake is loaded with berries and has a delectable fruity taste. It is loved by kids and can be packed in school lunch box. You can also use this cake as a base and decorate it with the frostings of your choice.
Christmas Cake
The traditional Christmas Cake is an inseparable part of the festival. It stands as the main attraction on the Christmas dinner table. Made with nuts, raisins, fresh and dried fruits, the flavour and taste of Christmas Cake is matchless. Try out this recipe and indulge!
Christmas Pudding
Christmas Pudding is that indulgent recipe which makes us enjoy the festival even more because of the unmatched taste that it has! It reminds of the happy childhood days and the bright and shiny Christmas gifts. Easy to make and loaded with oodles of love, Christmas Pudding is a must try during the festival.
Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Making Gingerbread Cookies has become a traditional compulsion over the years. And it is a happy compulsion as nothing can beat the aroma of these cookies when being baked in the oven. It gives the entire home an amazingly festive feel! In this recipe we have added chocolate to give an innovative touch to the regular Ginger Bread Cookies.
Roasted Turkey
A traditional festive recipe, Roasted Turkey is a delectable main course dish and is a must try during Christmas. Marinated with spices, this delightful recipe tastes better when stuffed with nuts and herbs of your choice. If you want a succulent, moist turkey, go for this recipe.
Special Christmas Mince Pie
What does the Christmas Mince Pie have as filling? This sweet, delectable dessert is pure delight and is stuffed with nuts, raisins, fruits and jams and jellies. It is loved by kids and is often gifted to friends and family. You can also fill it up with chocolate and cream.