What’s in a Traditional American Christmas Dinner?
What Do Americans Eat in Christmas?
The ever-familiar image of a snowy night, lit-up street lights, or Santa riding his caribou-drawn carriage makes up the much-coveted Christmas fantasy for children and adults alike. But, a much more earthly realization is the food that comes with it. It needs not be reiterated that food binds people, be it a family gathering, friends meeting, or a romantic dinner. Traditional Christmas dinner is a delicacy in many countries around the world. In the US, it has been formed as a culture of the people from as early as the 17th century. Evolving, some of the best American traditional dishes for Christmas include:
• Herb-Roasted Turkey
Christmas dinners aren’t complete without a giant roasted turkey sitting in the middle of the dining table. We saw it on the special Christmas episode of cartoons or heard it from our parents. With a warm touch of rosemary, sage, thyme, onion, garlic, and even white wine, you can give the traditional roasted turkey a new, more flavourful turnover. Also, the aroma from the roasting process itself can be the first step for satiating the thirst for that perfect Christmas vibe in your home.
• Marinated Roast Beef
It’s a simple, yet mouth-watering dish for a traditional Christmas dinner served as the main dish at the dinner table. You should marinate the beef overnight, allowing all the flavor to seep inside, and then slow cook for the best result.
• Rack of Lamb
A bit rarer than the previous two, a rack of lamb is still a preferred delicacy among many. You can go for this to surprise the guest, as it looks good and tastes incredible too. Season with rosemary, thyme, garlic, rub with olive oil, cook in the oven, and it’s done. An appreciation post for your cooking skills is on the way! Also, you can sprinkle some toasted walnuts on the top for a smooth finishing touch.
• Baked Trout with Lemon
Alongside traditional meats like turkey, beef, or ham, seafood in the form of baked trout is also gaining popularity. It is a great choice if you are looking to celebrate your Christmas dinner with your family. This easy-to-make recipe can be smudged with lemon juice for a tangy flavor. Also, it takes around only an hour to prepare the entire dish, so you don’t have to keep your guests waiting as well. Isn’t that great?
• Buttery Mashed Potatoes
Can it be that simple? Yes. Creamy and fluffy mashed potatoes made through a ricer can serve as the perfect side dish for your roasted turkey or roasted beef. Add the butter and milk according to the level of consistency you need. Using Yukon gold potatoes is the key. Also, a spray of freshly ground pepper on the top acts like a charm.
• Cauliflower Gratin
Some of us must want to go low on carbs, which is hard to come by during Christmas dinner time. Thus Cauliflower gratin is the perfect low carb, high protein side dish for you. It goes well with main dishes like roasted beef or turkey. You can always go with some parmesan topping, along with some last-minute breadcrumbs, which adds both creaminess and crunchiness to the dish.
• Peccan Pie
How can a Christmas dinner be complete without a lovely dessert? And speaking of dessert, the Texas-based Pecan Pie is America’s go-to dessert during this time of the year. But, of course, you can also complement it with apple pie. Traditional pecan pie crust includes pecan nuts mixed with eggs, butter, and sugar. The simplicity of the recipe and the nostalgia of your grandparents making one during their days make it one of the loved Christmas dishes in the States.
There are many more delicacies to try during Christmas. While it is impossible to explore all of them at once, you can always find new treats once in a while. So keep exploring the plethora of delicacies, and try not to be disappointed. It’s hard to be anyway! Merry Christmas!
Top 10 American Christmas Dishes
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