14 delicious Christmas recipes for a festive dinner

3 quick tips in preparing Christmas dinner

Whether you’re whipping up an entire menu or just dessert, preparing Christmas dinner always comes with a bit of suspense. The key to keeping your head cool? Good preparation. It’s all about getting the most out of your time in the kitchen. Here are three quick tips to make sure you do.  

• Choose your menu wisely

Put together your menu first. And then take some time to carefully read through the recipes. This way, you know how much rising, cooling, and baking time you need to factor in.  

• Make a cooking plan

Ask yourself: what needs to be made ahead, on the day, and right before serving? And then draft up your cooking plan accordingly. Keep in mind you can prepare some food a couple of days ahead if you store it well. Which means less work on the big day. 

• Fine-tune your shopping list

From the tiny decorations for your Christmas log, to that big juicy piece of pork loin for your main dish. Make sure everything is on your shopping list, and take the time to tick everything off when you go to the shops. Yes, it calls for a bit more work, but it beats having to face the queues at the supermarket tills again because you forgot something.

Five starters for your Christmas dinner

First things first: the starter. It’s meant to tickle your guests’ taste buds, leaving them wanting more. So, keep your flavours light, and your portions small. That way, there’s some room left for the next item on your Christmas menu.

1. Winter vegetable galette

The textbook definition of the perfect starter? This gorgeous vegetable tart. It’s simple, yet festive. It has a flaky pie crust filled to the brim with the most delicious winter root vegetables. Pair it with a fresh salad, and you’re off to a wonderful start. 

2. Turnip and beetroot carpaccio

This beautiful veggie carpaccio knows how to make an entrance. It’s light, elegantly flavoured, and in tune with the season. Dressed on small plates, it’s a feast for the eyes as well. 

3. Rocket and sundried tomato quiche

Having a fully decorated Christmas tree is one way to brighten up those cold winter days. Serving this sun-on-a-plate quiche is another. It looks and tastes like summer, and is so easy to prepare. What are you waiting for? Put it on your Christmas menu. 

4. Cream of mushroom soup

Christmas cooking doesn’t get any easier than this. Throw the ingredients for this mushroom soup into your KitchenAid Blender, run the Soup Cycle, and there you have it: a deliciously creamy starter. 

5. Roasted tomato soup

We all know and love tomato soup. But even a classic is worthy of a festive touch. Try roasting your tomatoes beforehand. It brings an extra layer of flavour to the table.

Five mains and sides that sparkle the Christmas dinner

Next up: the main dish. Why not switch it up this year by making it vegetarian? Or by putting a little twist on a traditional meat dish. Whatever you decide, with your KitchenAid Stand Mixer as your trusty sous-chef, you’ll be able to cook outside the box. As for your sides, more is more during the festive season. Nothing beats a buffet table groaning under the weight of all the delicious dishes you can try, so go all out!

6. Pesto stuffed pork loin 

If you’ve got a soft spot for tradition and want to serve meat, try mixing it up a bit by serving this pesto stuffed pork loin. Use your blender to whip up some fresh pesto and turn that classic piece of pork into a surprising pesto pork roulade. 

7. Pumpkin gnocchi with sage butter

Vegetarian or not, this decadently flavoured pumpkin gnocchi will have everyone at the table asking for seconds. The combination of the earthy pumpkin combined with the rich taste of the sage butter results in an explosion of flavour. 

8. Chicken stew

Your Christmas meal doesn’t have to be a Michelin-standard dish. This super tasty one-pot chicken stew is just as good. Both kids and adults will love it, it’s easy to make ahead, and perfect for a big crowd. The biggest job? Chopping the veggies. But you can use your KitchenAid Stand Mixer and Food Processor Attachment for that. You’ll be done in less than 5 minutes. 

9. Cranberry sauce with baked Camembert

Cranberries and melted cheese. Is there a better pairing? No wonder it’s everyone’s favourite. Better plug in your blender and make a big batch of this delicious cranberry sauce. Don’t worry about leftovers – you can serve it over the course of a few days. Just make sure you don’t run out of Camembert! 

10. Garlic mashed potatoes

These fluffy, buttery, mashed potatoes are a seasonal classic. No need to wrestle with a potato ricer or handheld masher. Just pull out your stand mixer, attach the Flat Beater and prepare a huge batch in your bowl. 

Four Christmas cakes and cookies recipes

The after-dinner slump is inevitable. But once you’re over it, everyone wants a cup of coffee and a sweet treat. Wow your guests with a homemade Christmas log, or offer up a plentiful supply of biscuits and cookies – it’s up to you. 

11. Pavlova

If your main dish requires a lot of time, make this pavlova your dessert. With the help of your stand mixer, you’ll be able to whip up the meringue mixture in 15 minutes. When it’s baked, just top it off with your favourite fruit, whipped cream or custard. Little effort. Big wow factor.

12. Candy cane cookies

Nothing says Christmas like baking your own Christmas cookies. With a little help from your KitchenAid cookie accessory, these candy cane shaped treats will turn out extra dainty. Serve them with hot chocolate or cold milk, and they’ll melt everyone’s heart. 

13. Christmas log

Of all the iconic Christmas desserts out there, a Christmas log might just take the cake. So, making one from scratch is extra impressive. Does it call for a bit of patience, skill, and time? Yes. But seeing those jaws drop when you serve it on Christmas eve is all the reward you need.  

14. Biscotti

Want your friends and family to go home with a sweet reminder of a cosy evening? These crunchy biscotti will do the trick. Homemade, thoughtful, and subtly flavoured. Put them in a small biscuit tin and give it to them at the end of night.