Christmas Dinner: Five Mains
A roundup of 5 delicious Christmas dinner recipes ranging from spicy chickpeas, roasted brussel sprouts to stuffed tomatoes, inspiring your Christmas gatherings.
*An unexpected appetizer for Christmas that is both spicy and sweet. A long time favorite and one of the most popular recipes on the blog.
As I was driving home this afternoon amid the rainfall, a flickering of red and gold caught my eye. Lining the streets were the first signs of Christmas - beautiful reaves hanging boastfully from each passing light-post. In that moment I remembered, hey, we’re already in December?! I mean, not early or mid November but we’re right at the beginning of December and at the end of the year. How is that possible? How is it that Halloween came and went, the torrential ‘California El Nino’ arrived without any real notice (bummer since I was totally looking forward to a day of Netflix), and now we’re four days into December? Is it me or does it still feel like its September?
With Christmas just a few short weeks away and as a gentle reminder that that we (or just I) should probably start planning a Christmas meal or at least start browsing for what I will make, I've put together a collection of holiday inspired recipes that are a brilliant addition to any Christmas gathering. In attempts to not piss everyone off the day of (sorry family) by choosing, prepping, testing, cooking and then eating all the recipes within the afternoon, I’m writing it here - for you and for me.
Each Friday for the next few weeks I'll feature some of my older recipes, with a sprinkling of new ones, to spark some festive cooking within you. Ones that will get you playing around in that kitchen of yours and honing in on a signature dish that can easily be added to your holiday repertoire.
This week is all about the mains and next Friday is all about the desserts (insert heart-eyes-happy-faced-emoji)!
**Simply click on each photo or description to start exploring**
Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin and Artichoke Bowl
*A more substantial side dish that works deliciously when paired on a bed of brown rice.
Recipe: Stuffed Tomatoes with Pink Rice
*If you are pressed for time, this is a recipe that can be made ahead of time and popped into the oven to bake the day of. Extremely stress-free.
Recipe: Roasted Maple Brussel Sprouts with Pomegranate Seeds
*A quintessential Christmas side dish elevated in flavors with a light sprinkling of maple syrup and pomegranate seeds.
Recipe: Roasted and Stuffed Butternut Squash with Avocado Cream
*A satisfying main for Christmas dinner. Butternut Squash stuffed with delicious millet, veggies and topped with a whipped avocado cream.
I hope you guys get a chance to experiment with some of these recipes. I know without a doubt a few will be making there way to my families table, along with some spicy gingerbread men cookies that I'll post on Monday!.
Enjoy you guys and be sure to tag 8thandlake on Instagram so I can see how you make your creations! #8thandlake.
Big Love from SF,
xx Marie