Top 10 foods for Christmas dinner

     It's that time of year when we eat a lot and go overboard on fattening foods.

    Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, it doesn't matter in this instance because these are generally foods that can be found in most people's homes over the holidays.

Top 10 Ideas For Christmas Dinner

1. Turkey

A staple at almost every table eaten on Christmas day, turkey has been associated with grand meals since European banquets of yesteryear. Even though it is often overlooked by many due to its dryness, if brined correctly it is an absolute winner! Try my recipe here: 5 Hour Honey Brined Roast Turkey with Sage and Onion Stuffing. Serve with a side salad, creamy/buttery mashed potatoes, lashings of gravy and you're good to go.

2. Hams

If the turkey is the most common meat consumed on Christmas day, then ham must be a close second. Whether spiral cut or honey-glazed, everyone loves a slice of ham and it can easily become the star for your dinner table if you do it right. Try my recipe here: Spiral Cut Honey Glazed Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze. Serve with some steamed/roasted vegetables and lashings of sauce for an unrivaled feast!

3.   Pork Ribs 

 Touted as one of the best roasting cuts when barbecuing, juicy pork ribs are yet another staple that almost everyone enjoys at their feast. You can buy them either pre-prepared or still on the bone. Either way just rub some salt , pepper and your favorite spice mix into it, sear in a pan with vegetable oil until golden brown, then bake in the oven at around 160 degrees Celsius for two hours. Enjoy with a side salad!

4.     Beef & Chicken

 More often than not these meats are roasted/grilled to be enjoyed by all of the family over Christmas. Whether you take them out of the freezer to defrost during the morning/afternoon or buy them fresh that day is up to you but they can make an extremely tasty dinner platter if done properly.

5. Prawns

 This seafood delight is one of personal favorites because I love their flavor and they go down a treat at any occasion. Buy them raw and unpeeled if possible, then fry them in a pan for around five minutes with some butter , salt and pepper . Serve as an appetizer or as a side dish to encourage those who didn't eat much during dinner to have more.

6. Desserts 

I'm pretty sure we all love our desserts after spending hours making/eating other foods! Pies like mince pies , Christmas pudding and candy canes are just the tip of the iceberg and it'll be very difficult not to overindulge on these treats because we know we're allowed to at this time of year.

7. Chocolate 

Who doesn love chocolate? Whether you prefer a Hershey bar , a Tcho bar or a Cadbury's Creme Egg there is no doubt that everyone has at least one sweet tooth in their family. Make sure you get plenty of these chocolatey treats to share around!

8. Christmas Cake 

One of the most anticipated parts of every Christmas meal, Christmas cake tastes delightful and is an absolute must-have for all occasions. However many people don't know how to make them properly because they're often too dry/dense/spongey . I've got a recipe for the perfect sponge right here: The Perfect Christmas Cake Recipe . Serve with lashings of cream !

9. Mulled Wine/Mulled Ale 

Although alcoholic beverages are not considered very nice by some people on a daily basis, over Christmas it is almost expected of us to drink some kind of mulled beverage. Not only is it extremely tasty but you will get a nice warm buzz from drinking it which is always welcome at cold times of year!

10. Mulled Cider 

A variation of the mulled beverages that I mentioned above, this type of drink usually contains some apple juice , orange slices and cinnamon sticks all blended up with heat . It tastes amazing and gets the whole family in the festive spirit! Enjoy responsibly ;)