Families treasure their holiday dinner traditions, but the same dishes year after year can start to lose their special appeal. If you're feeling unenthusiastic about your usual Christmas recipes, give yourself permission to experiment a little. A spicy tweak to a holiday roast or the addition of an unexpected ingredient to mashed potatoes just might result in a new food tradition for your family.
Creamy and comforting classic side dishes need not exclude vegan guests at the Christmas table. This vegan version of scalloped potatoes promises to delight. Use a blend of Yukon gold potatoes and sweet potatoes for a robust, starchy base. Almond milk seasoned with paprika and thyme forms the sauce. Sliced almonds sprinkled on top brown up under the broiler to deliver a crowd-pleasing side dish.
2. Quinoa Christmas Pudding You can't get more traditional than a sweet Christmas pudding made from dried fruit. This Christmas dessert recipe gets a healthy twist by the inclusion of hearty quinoa. Soak in brandy overnight sultanas, currants, prunes, dates and two oranges juiced, including rinds. Next, mix cooked quinoa, almond flour and spices into the fruit blend. Everything gets served with a rich custard for an unforgettable experience.
3. Toasted Sesame Mashed Potatoes Are you getting bored with mashed potatoes but expected to serve them with holiday dinners? Jazz up the traditional spud side dish with sesame seeds. Boil russet or Yukon gold potatoes until soft and then mash them with cream, sesame oil, salt and pepper. Stir in toasted sesame seeds before serving and discover a new taste sensation.
4. Coriander-Crusted Beef with Spicy Cranberry Relish Take the traditional ham or turkey off the shopping list this year and transform a ribeye roast into a colourful and spicy holiday dinner sensation. Rub the meat with a blend of shallots, salt, brown sugar, coriander seeds, peppercorns and garlic and let the meat marinate overnight. Roast the meat and then cover with foil and rest it. Serve with orange cranberry relish that gets plenty of zing from jalapenos. Awesome ingredients give you the best chance of cooking success. Shop at Famous Foods in Vancouver for high-quality meats, fresh produce and natural bulk foods.