The holidays are a time for family, friends and, the thing that makes it really special, food. Everyone has their own traditions they keep during the holidays. Growing up, ours was to gather as a family for a day of thanks, renewal and bonding. Family, both immediate and extended would descend upon our home. Grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins were all there. It was a day of fun, hanging out with my family. Spending time with my cousins. Listening to the parents providing overviews of what had transpired that year and eventually evolving or devolving into politics, depending on your point of view. But the one thing everyone looked forward to that day was that holiday feast. To celebrate that tradition of family and food, here are 10 classic holiday favorite dishes.
Of course, everyone has their own favorites dishes during the holiday season, whether that is smoked salmon, corned beef and cabbage, latkes, roast beef or chicken or mix of things like prawns, tourtiere, Yorkshire pudding and more. Holiday meals are, for the most part, based on location, family tradition, culture and just flat out taste.
The following 10 classic holiday favorite dishes are based upon on a composite score from a survey of culinary writers, editors, bloggers and food enthusiasts. There are certainly a great many holiday dishes that could be on the list. You may even have your own opinion of what should be on the list. Please feel free to share. Honorable mentions go out to ham, mashed potatoes, candy canes, figgy pudding, apple cider, roasted potatoes, carrots, roast beef, latkes, cornbread, peppermint bark and more.
10. Sweet Potatoes – 10 Classic Holiday Favorite Dishes
Often referred to as yams, sweet potatoes simply are not yams but the delectable tuber is one of our holiday favorite picks. Sweet Potatoes can be prepared in a number of different ways. Here is a classic recipe followed by one with a twist.
Classic Recipe
- 6 yams (or medium sweet potatoes, 2 pounds)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 3 tablespoons margarine (or butter)
- 3 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon salt
Scrub but do not peel the sweet potatoes. Place into a pot or saucepan and cover with water. Heat until the water is boiling. Cover and let simmer for approximately 25 minutes. Once tender, uncover and remove skin. Slice the sweet potatoes in ¼ to ½ inch slices.
In a skillet, place the brown sugar, margarine or butter, salt ad 3 tablespoons water and stir over a medium heat until soft and bubbly. Add sliced potatoes and stir until covered in the candied sauce.
Recipe with a Twist
From the Food Network, here is their Best Sweet Potato Casserole.
9. Fruitcake – 10 Classic Holiday Favorite Dishes
Despite being the red-headed stepchild of holiday dishes, fruitcake is a staple during this festive time. With rum and a mix of other tasty ingredients, it is a shame fruitcake is so misunderstood because it is absolutely delicious. Here is a classic recipe followed by one with a twist.
Classic Recipe
- 1 ½ cups red candied cherries
- 2 cups green candied cherries, candied lemon, orange rinds or diced candied pineapple
- 1 pound walnuts and/or pecans
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup rum
- 1 cup butter or shortening
- 1 cup sugar or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
- 1 teaspoon allspice, ground
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup butter
- 4 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Mix the fruit in a large bowl and add your rum. Cover and let it soak overnight. Next, stir together your flour, salt, spices and baking powder into the bowl with your soaked fruit. After that is done, in another large bowl, beat in your butter or shortening for about 30 seconds. Add your sugar or brown sugar and beat until combined. Next, add your eggs one at a time and beat well. Beat in your vanilla extract. Next, stir in your nuts. Lastly, add in your rum/fruit mixture a little at a time.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. While the oven is preheating, lightly coat two loaf pans with cooking spray and add your batter to the pans. Once the oven is up to temperature, bake for approximately 2 hours or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out cleanly.
Recipe with a Twist
From Allrecipes.com, here is their Kentucky Bourbon Fruitcake.
8. Gingerbread Cookies – 10 Classic Holiday Favorite Dishes
Who doesn’t like gingerbread cookies? Well, I’m sure there are some people but I love them all the time and especially so during the holidays. Here is a classic recipe followed by one with a twist.
Classic Recipe
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 ½ cups Flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ginger, ground
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon, ground
- 2 teaspoons cloves, ground
- 1 ½ teaspoons nutmeg, ground
- ½ teaspoon allspice, ground
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
In a large bowl, beat in the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer for approximately 5 to 10 minutes until it is soft and fluffy. Next, beat in the egg and molasses then stir in the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger and remaining spices. Do not stir in the granulated sugar. Place in refrigerator and let it sit for a few hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degree. While the oven is preheating, place cooking parchment on your cookie sheets. Add your granulated sugar to a small bowl. Take your refrigerated cookie dough from the refrigerator and shape into 1-inch balls or larger if you like big cookies. Roll in the granulated sugar as you place your balls about 2 to 3 inches apart. Place your cookie sheets in the oven once it has reached temperature and bake for approximately 10 minutes. Less if you like the cookies chewy.
Recipe with a Twist
From BettyCrocker.com, here is their Chocolate-Stuffed Gingerbread Cookies.
7. Green Bean Casserole – 10 Classic Holiday Favorite Dishes
My dad made one of the best green bean casseroles you can ever have. If that was his only contribution to the holiday meal, it was more than enough. Here is a classic recipe followed by one with a twist.
Classic Recipe
- 4 cups green beans
- 10 ½ ounces cream of mushroom soup, condensed
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 dash black pepper
- 1 ½ cups French-fried onions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is preheating, stir into a 1 ½ quart casserole bowl or baking dish the cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, and black pepper. Mix in your green beans and 2/3 cups of the French-fried onions. Once the oven reaches temperature, bake the casserole for approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Add the remaining French-fried onions on the top and bake another 5 minutes.
Recipe with a Twist
From SpicySouthernKitchen.com, here is their Cheesy Green Bean Casserole:
6. Pecan Pie – 10 Classic Holiday Favorite Dishes
There were always multiple pies for dessert and a pecan pie was always one of them courtesy of my Aunt. Of course, just one slice wasn’t enough. Too bad for the rest of the family. Here is a classic recipe followed by one with a twist.
Classic Recipe
- 1 ½ to 2 cups pecans
- ¾ cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup sugar or brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon bourbon, spiced rum or Grand Marnier (optional)
- 1 deep dish pie crust (buy one or make it from scratch).
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is preheating, place the pie crust in a 9-inch pie plate. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and then stir in the light corn syrup, sugar or brown sugar, melted butter, salt and vanilla extract. If using the bourbon, spiced rum or Grand Marnier, add that into the filling. Whisk the filling until smooth. Add the pecans and stir them into the filling. Pour the filling into the pie crust. Once the oven has reached temperature, bake the pie for approximately 55 minutes or until filling is set.
Recipe with a Twist
From Allrecipes.com, here is their Caramel Pecan Pie.
5. Cranberry Sauce – 10 Classic Holiday Favorite Dishes
What would a holiday meal be without cranberry sauce. It is one of those classic side dishes that compliments the entire meal. Here is a classic recipe followed by one with a twist.
Classic Recipe
- 12 to 16 ounces cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
In a medium saucepan, add the sugar and water. Bring to a boil over a medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissipated. Reduce heat and add the cranberries to the saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes until the cranberries pop and sauce has thickened.
Recipe with a Twist
From AdrianasBestRecipes.com, here is their Spicy Blackberry Cranberry Sauce.
4. Pumpkin Pie – 10 Classic Holiday Favorite Dishes
Pies are my favorite and pumpkin pie during the holidays is next to nirvana. Some holiday feasts, I would just skip the main and go for dessert – meaning multiple pecan and even more pumpkin. Here is a classic recipe followed by one with a twist.
Classic Recipe
- 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin, mashed
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup sugar or brown sugar
- 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ginger, ground
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 deep dish pie crust (buy one or make it from scratch)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. While the oven is preheating, place the pie crust in a 9-inch pie plate. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and then stir in the milk and sugar or brown sugar until combined. Add in the pumpkin and beat until combined. Place the rest of the ingredients in the bowl and mix until it all incorporated and smooth. Pour the filling into the pie crust. Once the oven has reached temperature, bake the pie for approximately 45 to 50 minutes or until the center is set.
Recipe with a Twist
From TasteofHome.com, here is their Pecan Pumpkin Pie.
3. Stuffing – 10 Classic Holiday Favorite Dishes
Over the years, I’ve had so many different types of delicious stuffing but my heart, and palate, go back to my mom’s classic stuffing. Although simple, at least to me she made the best stuffing. Here is a classic recipe followed by one with a twist.
Classic Recipe
- 12-14 cups bread, cubes and preferably stale
- ½ cup butter
- 1 ½ cups diced onion (approximately 1 large onion)
- 1 ½ cups diced celery (approximately 2 to 3 large stalks)
- 1 tablespoon sage
- 1 tablespoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 to 3 cups chicken broth (amounts depend on how moist you like your stuffing. If you like dry stuffing, don’t include the broth)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is preheating, in a skillet pan, melt the butter over a medium heat. Add the onions and celery. Mix in the sage, salt, pepper and thyme. Let it cook for about 4 minutes. Add the chicken broth. Again, add the broth based on how moist you would like your stuffing. Bring to a simmer.
In a large bowl, place your cubed bread. Pour in the onion-celery mix over the bread, tossing well as you do so. Place the thoroughly coated bread mixture in a baking dish and place into oven once it has reached temperature and bake for 30 minutes.
Recipe with a Twist
From FavFamilyRecipes.com, here is their Stuffing With Bacon.
2. Eggnog – 10 Classic Holiday Favorite Dishes
Trimming the tree, holiday music in the background and a glass, or several, of eggnog was and is still one of my favorite times during the holidays. Like music, eggnog brings out all the great memories of the holidays. Here is a classic recipe followed by one with a twist.
Classic Recipe
- 3 cups milk
- 6 egg yolks
- 1 cup cream, heavy
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ground
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ground
- 1 cup rum, brandy, bourbon (optional)
In a medium saucepan, add the milk, cream, vanilla extract, nutmeg and cinnamon and bring to a low boil. In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar until it is a pale yellow in color. Slowly add in your milk and spice mixture, whisking until combined. Place the combined mixture back into the saucepan and cook over a medium-low heat for approximately 5 minutes or until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Refrigerate.
Recipe with a Twist
From AllRecipes.com, here is their Eggnog Gingerbread Trifle.
1. Turkey – 10 Classic Holiday Favorite Dishes
What would the holiday feast be without the “roast beast.” In this case, the turkey – no grinches please. I remember waking up the morning of the holiday dinner and the turkey was already being prepared. That is how long it took to get it right. Here is a classic recipe followed by one with a twist.
Classic Recipe
- 1 turkey, 12 to 16 pounds
- 1 cup olive or vegetable oil
- ¼ cup salt
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons garlic
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon sage
- 2 ½ cups water
The prior night remove the contents from inside the turkey. In medium sizes bowl, add the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, basil and sage. Lightly coat the turkey with the oil mixture. Truss the legs of the turkey with twine if you like. Cover the turkey and place in the refrigerator. Cover the oil mixture and place in the refrigerator.
The turkey will take about 3 hours to prepare. When you’re ready, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. While the oven is preheating, use the remaining oil mixture and rub thoroughly into the turkey, both inside and out. Place the water in the roasting pan. Place the turkey into the roasting pan breast down.
Cook breast down for about 1 hour, basting periodically with the cooking juices. After an hour, flip the turkey and continue cooking for approximately another 2 hours, again basting every 20 minutes. After about 2 hours, place a thermometer into the turkey and check temperature. If the temperature is between 160 to 170 degrees and the juices are clear, the turkey is done. Remove from the oven and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Carve and serve.
Recipe with a Twist
From NYTimes.com, here is their Mojo Turkey.
This article originally appeared on Sizzlepixs.com.
