The “most wonderful time of the year” is right around the corner. If you are looking to throw a fantastic holiday party and want to prepare the most delicious meals you can think of, look no further.
In this article, we have taken the liberty to list a few holiday meals and drinks that you may not have even considered. If you want to impress your family and friends this holiday, then give this article a look. Let this holiday be a treat for everyone. And with these tasty meals, we can almost certainly guarantee that you will.
These dishes, coupled with the luxury gifts for your friends and family, will make this a holiday to remember.
Best Holiday Meal Plans
Pomegranate, Cranberry & Brie Bruschetta
This delicious appetizer is an excellent prepper for the main course meal. This tasty baked bread, with cheese melted on it ever so slightly, topped with cranberries, offers not only an explosive flavor, but the texture will leave everyone who has been invited craving for more.
Merry Peppermint Mocha-Tini
Now, this is more of a drink for the after-party, or during the party, and this drink is the Merry Peppermint Mocha-Tini. It uses festive and delicious peppermint syrup by Monin. This tasty sweet alcoholic drink will really liven up the party.
What you will need for this recipe is:
- ice
- 3⁄4 oz. Monin Iced Coffee Concentrate
- 3⁄4 oz. Monin Peppermint Syrup
- 2 oz. chocolate vodka
- 2 oz. half & half
And voila! You have yourself a Merry Peppermint Mocha-Tini drink using peppermint syrup if you desire.
Balsamic Berry Vinaigrette Winter Salad
This festive salad is yet another excellent appetizer for the meal to come. This zesty salad features colorful greens, fruit, and cheese tossed with a light and zesty dressing.
What you will need for this dish is:
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts, toasted
- 3 cups torn romaine lettuce
- 1 small cooking apple
- (2 oz.) ½ cup pomegranate seeds
Mix together and put on dressing just before serving.
Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes with Spinach
This classic scalloped potatoes meals get a burst of color that pop right out at you and your guest; the hearty texture along with the healthy inclusion of chopped spinach makes this meal a favorite among many. This recipe is from eatingwell.com.
What you will need for this recipe is:
- 2½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
- ¼ teaspoon white or black pepper
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion
- 2½ cups low-fat milk
- 1 pound chopped frozen spinach, thawed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- Position racks in the upper and lower third of oven; preheat to 425°F.
Toss potatoes with one tablespoon oil in a large bowl until well coated. Divide between two large baking sheets and spread in an even layer. Roast, rotating the pans from top to bottom about halfway through, until tender and beginning to brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the remaining two tablespoons oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook, stirring frequently, until very soft and golden brown, five to eight minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about one minute more. Add, flour, salt, and pepper; cook, stirring for one minute more. Add milk; cook, stirring and scraping up any brown bits at the bottom of the pan. Increase heat to medium-high; cook, stirring until the sauce thickens and bubbles three to five minutes. Remove from heat. Squeeze spinach to remove any excess moisture; stir into the sauce.
When the potatoes are done, remove them from the oven. Preheat the broiler. Transfer half the potatoes to a two-quart broiler-safe baking dish. Spread half the sauce over the potatoes and top with ½ cup cheese. Add the remaining potatoes and top with the remaining sauce and cheese. Broil, watching carefully, until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is beginning to brown, one to five minutes, depending on your broiler. Let stand ten minutes before serving.
Give these recipes a try and impress your guests. These might become new holiday favorites for years to come.