Christmas Party Food Menu

Festive Food Ideas for Holidays - Artichoke Dip, Spiced Meatballs

© Minka Gantenbein

Dec 5, 2008

Planning a spectacular party to celebrate the holiday season? This year treat guests to some intensely delectable menu choices at those festive affairs. Check out these seasonal food ideas and let the party planning begin.

APPETIZERS

Holiday Artichoke Dip

This tasty dip is simple to make. With a food processor and the recipe ingredients prepped, this dip can be be made in minutes. Serve with 1/4 inch slices of a toasted crusty baguette.

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. of cream cheese
• 1 cup frozen artichoke hearts, thawed
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• salt & pepper

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a food processor until creamy and well blended.

Mini Holiday Spiced Meatballs

Spice up the menu with these mini sized meatballs which contain hints of cumin, cayenne pepper and coriander.

Ingredients:

• 1 1b ground pork or beef
• 1 egg
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 3 1/2 cups of canned chopped tomatoes
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• a pinch of nutmeg
• a pinch of pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together ground meat, 1 tsp. minced garlic, salt, spices and egg until well combined.
3. Roll the mixture into 1-inch sized balls.
4. Place meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes.
5. In a large pan, heat the olive oil.
6. Cook onion and 1 tsp. garlic over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
7. Add wine and tomatoes, and bring to a boil.
8. Cover pan, reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
9. Place meatballs in the pan, sprinkle with parsley, cover and cook for 15 minutes.

Caramelized Onion-Apple Bites

For an appetizer that can be made ahead of time, try this savory recipe. Make the topping up to 2 days ahead of time, and assemble them the day of the party.

THE MAIN COURSE

Fig Glazed Roast Turkey

This dark beautiful glaze gives a rich look to the turkey, and the recipe includes a cornbread and sausage stuffing as a flavorful accompaniment.

Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Gravy

Ingredients for Pork:

• 1 pork loin roast, 4-5 lbs
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 large cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:

1. Mix olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, thyme and rosemary together to form a rub.
2. Season pork all over with the rub.
3. Wrap pork in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours.
4. Preheat oven to 475 degrees.
5. Roast pork in a roasting pan for 25 minutes.
6. Lower heat to 400 degrees, roast 25 minutes more.
7. While pork is continuing to roast, prepare the cranberry gravy.

Ingredients for Cranberry Gravy:

• 1 small sweet onion
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup whole cranberry sauce
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1 tsp. fresh rosemary, chopped

Directions:

1. In a pan, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium heat.
2. Saute onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes.
3. Stir in cranberry sauce, chicken stock, rosemary & vinegar.
4. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
5. When pork has finished roasting, pour cranberry gravy over it.
6. Continue roasting 20 more minutes.
7. Let pork rest 15 minutes before carving.

SIDE DISH

Winter Salad

This salad that combines seasonal winter flavors, is the perfect addition to most holiday main dishes.

Ingredients:

• 1 head of romaine lettuce, torn
• 1 small head of endive, chopped
• 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1/2 cup caramelized walnuts
• 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Toss first five ingredients together in a large salad bowl.
2. Whisk oil, vinegar and honey together in a separate bowl, season with salt and pepper.
3. Drizzle dressing over salad.

With Christmas party foods like these, guests are sure to enjoy the holiday celebration. Some of these recipes can be used or modified all year long depending on the event.

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