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Tired of wrestling the turkey, peeling mountains of sprouts and playing the same old festive tunes each Christmas? Then it’s time to change the record! Why not step away from the turkey and all its trimmings and put a new spin on your Christmas feast instead.
Whether you choose to welcome friends and family Italian style, recreate the French “Reveillon” or simply go gluten or meat-free, discover our pick of themed menu ideas that’ll refresh your festive playlist. We’ve also included our favourite alcoholic festive drinks that’ll soon make sure you’re in the Christmas spirit.
Christmas around the world food ideas
Love Italian food? Then why not take your pick of festive favourites, from antipasti like vitello tonnato, veal covered with a velvety sauce of tuna, anchovies, mayonnaise and capers to fresh seafood salad and a primi of tortellini in broth and finish with a decadent deep fried Neapolitan dessert like struffoli.
Or, pick gastronomic powerhouse, France, to guide your new inspired menu. Try starting with a decadent foie gras terrine, before tucking into a succulent roast capon with a crisp and creamy chicory and Roquefort salad on the side and a final chocolate flourish with a classic buche de noel. Sit back, enjoy the rewards of your hard work and say ohh la la!
Or, spring to the other side of the world and tuck into a fusion of flavours in a traditional Puerto Rican Christmas menu with crispy-skinned roasted suckling pig (lechón asado) served with arroz con gandules. And don’t forget to leave room for dessert arroz con dulce, the delicious traditional rice pudding. And, it all comes washed down with coquito, a coconut-based eggnog often laced with white rum.
Gluten Free Christmas Dinner Menu
Going gluten-free with your menu doesn’t need mean "going without" come Christmas. In fact, many Christmas themed dishes don’t start or finish with gluten. Try a showstopping centrepiece like a succulent whole honey glazed whole ham, a crunchy Christmas salad and a festive gluten free stollen cake for a festive lunch to remember.
Actually, there a lot of tasty alternatives for your main course: why not think about serving a chard strudel with sheep cheese or a gorgonzola and salmon gluten free lasagna?
And, of course, it also can be a sweet Christmas without gluten: you can choose to start your festive days with baked lemon and basil doughnuts for breakfast, or maybe turn to something exotic, surprising your guests with vegan matcha coconut panna cottas, or enjoy a very Christmassy fruitcake with sugar glaze.
Traditional Vegetarian Christmas Dinner
If you’re going meat-free this Christmas, it’s time to get creative in the kitchen and think outside the turkey remit. Citrus fruits, root vegetables, and nuts are all the rage this season, so why not tap into their bounty in a colorful and satisfying selection of dishes. Master a few vegetarian dishes like a pumpkin and goat cheese lasagne or a tofurkey roll with mushrooms to treat your meat free friends. And, of course, finish with a vegan Christmas pudding and everyone seated around the table gets a slice of a traditional Christmas too.
A traditional Christmas means also sometimes outstanding dishes. So, why don't you enrich your table with a massive marinated vegetable carpaccio? Other tasty options could be watercress scones or spinach and ricotta balls with parmesan. These would be good choices to serve a Traditional Vegetarian Christmas dinner.
Christmas Alcoholic Drinks
Christmas is the perfect time to release your inner mixologist and go to town on the drinks cupboard! Why not give your guests a warm welcome with some traditional mulled wine, or kick off festivities with a bang with a snowball cocktail. Or, if you can’t wait to pop the cork on a bottle for fizz, there are always champagne cocktails.
And, finally, how could we miss the recipe for the perfect eggnog? Speaking about traditional alcoholic Christmas drink you can choose your favorite among our best holiday punch recipes or decide to serve a coffee Grog brandy. And if you are a Margarita lover, let's turn the cocktail to Christmas mood with a glass of festive red pomegranate Margarita.
