Christmas Dinner Six Ways

Ham, lamb, goose, or turkey? No matter what’s at the center of your table, we’ve got you covered: Each of these exclusive menus offers a lavish main dish and all the right trimmings.

December 2008

Ham

Inspired by the traditional French-Canadian réveillon, or Christmas Eve dinner, this menu is all about hearty winter flavors: freshly roasted chestnuts, warming butternut squash, rich maple, and smoky ham.

Roasted Chestnuts
Kale, Butternut Squash, and Pancetta Pie
Herb-Braised Ham
Endive and Radicchio Salad
Maple Walnut Bûche de Noël
Walnut Brittle

Turkey

If your family is in the turkey-for-Christmas camp, we’ve got just the recipe for you: The miso won’t give the bird an Asian flavor, but it will make for wonderfully moist meat. Round out the meal with earthy sides and two irresistible desserts.

Creamy Fennel and Greens Soup (web-exclusive)
Miso Rubbed Turkey with Turkey Gravy
Sage Stuffing
Roasted Cauliflower and Radicchio Salad
Cranberry Tangerine Conserve
Pear Crisps with Vanilla Brown Butter
Fennel Ice Cream

Lamb

This market-driven menu might just become an instant classic in your house. Vibrant spiced lamb chops and decadent mashed potatoes bring comfort, while tangy-sweet corn bread and luscious chocolate cakes provide the joy.

Carrot Soup with Toasted Almonds
Rosemary Lamb Chops with Swiss Chard and Balsamic Syrup
Brown Butter and Scallion Mashed Potatoes
Chopped Arugula Salad
Sun-Dried Tomato Skillet Corn Bread (web-exclusive)
Chocolate Cranberry Cakes with Bourbon Whipped Cream

Seafood

On Christmas Eve, Southern Italians celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a procession of seafood dishes containing seven different kinds of sea creatures (and sometimes many more). Our take on the tradition revolves around a zesty Genoese stew, with enough delicious side and dessert options to make it a definite feast.

Crab Cakes
Onion Anchovy Galette (web-exclusive)
Seafood Salad with Fennel and Green Beans
Linguine with Cockles
Romaine with Garlic Anchovy Vinaigrette
Seafood Stew
Orange Pudding Cake
Stracciatella Tortoni Cake with Espresso Fudge Sauce

Goose

A goose on the table is a gift in and of itself, but this one—with crisp, sweetly spiced skin and tender meat—is truly special. Take it over the top with three elegant sides and a Scandinavian-style starter and dessert.

Curried Herring on Rye Toasts
Spiced Roast Goose with Dried-Fruit Pan Sauce
Potato Parsnip Purée
Baby Brussels Sprouts with Buttered Pecans
Frisée,Watercress, and Mint Salad
Salzburger Nockerl

Vegetarian

Peppered with Asian influences, this menu is perhaps a departure from your typical Christmas meal. But once your guests have tried this unbelievably flavorful main dish (which reaches sublime heights when made with top-notch ingredients) and these exciting accompaniments, not even the most committed carnivores will miss the meat.

Buddha’s Delight
Snow Peas with Sichuan Preserved Vegetable
Pumpkin, Corn, and Lemongrass Soup
Chinese Black Rice
Five-Herb Ice Milk
Five-Spice Cones

Comments

Post a Comment

Please be advised that Gourmet magazine will cease publication after the November issue.

Subscribers can look forward to receiving Bon Appetit magazine for the remainder of their subscription. The Gourmet.com website will remain available during a transitional period, and access to Gourmet recipes will also remain available via sister site Epicurious.com and the Epi iPhone application.

We regret any inconvenience, and look forward to your continued readership. For questions about your Gourmet magazine subscription, please follow this link to subscription services.

The Oct. 23-25 Gourmet Institute events will not take place. Additional information is available at gourmetinstitute.com.

If you purchased the GOURMET TODAY cookbook and would like to take advantage of the offer on the back flap, click here for more information.
Subscribe to Gourmet

Conde Nast Store
Give the Gift of Gourmet

Subscribe

Subscribe to Gourmet
Diary of a Foodie

From Vermont to Vietnam, take a global culinary tour with season three of our award-winning public television show, Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie.