Impress Your Guests with These Easy Christmas Recipes
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food. Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or just a small family dinner, you want to make sure your guests are impressed with your culinary skills. But you don’t have to be a master chef to make a delicious Christmas meal. Here are some easy Christmas recipes that will have your guests raving about your cooking.
Main Dishes
For the main course, you can’t go wrong with a classic roast turkey. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Rub the turkey with a mixture of olive oil, garlic, rosemary, and thyme. Place the turkey in a roasting pan and cook for about 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving.
If you’re looking for something a bit more unique, try a pork tenderloin. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Rub the pork with a mixture of olive oil, garlic, rosemary, and thyme. Place the pork in a roasting pan and cook for about 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Let the pork rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Side Dishes
No Christmas dinner is complete without some delicious side dishes. For a classic side, try mashed potatoes. Start by peeling and cubing 4 pounds of potatoes. Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring the water to a boil and cook for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Drain the potatoes and mash with butter, milk, and salt and pepper to taste.
For a more unique side, try roasted Brussels sprouts. Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Cut the Brussels sprouts in half and place on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes, or until the Brussels sprouts are golden brown.
Desserts
For a classic Christmas dessert, try a gingerbread cake. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix together 1 cup of butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, and 1 cup of molasses. In a separate bowl, mix together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
For a more unique dessert, try a cranberry-orange trifle. Start by combining 1 cup of orange juice, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 1/4 cup of cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup of dried cranberries. In a large bowl, mix together 1 cup of heavy cream, 1/4 cup of powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Layer the cranberry mixture, pound cake cubes, and whipped cream in a trifle dish. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
FAQs
What are some easy Christmas recipes?
Some easy Christmas recipes include roast turkey, pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, gingerbread cake, and cranberry-orange trifle.
How long do I cook a roast turkey?
A roast turkey should be cooked for about 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
How long do I cook a pork tenderloin?
A pork tenderloin should be cooked for about 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
How long do I cook Brussels sprouts?
Brussels sprouts should be roasted for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.