So you are hosting a Christmas party and you have been tasked to come up with a delicious menu. Don't sweat, as we have rounded up recipes to help you make it through. The desserts are somehow easy to whip, but if you are well-prepared, the starters and the mains can seem like a breeze too. From salmon to braised lamb to the most scrumptious side dish, we have put together a Christmas menu in a flash. Make note of the ingredients.
1. Cinnamon Butter Baked Carrots
If your Holiday menu is asking for a simple side dish, these baked carrots are the way to go. Peel and clean 15 carrots and pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. With the help of an electric mixer, add a quarter cup of butter, half cup sugar, and a teaspoon of cinnamon and kosher salt each. While the mixture is running, slowly add one-third cup boiling water and one tablespoon orange juice. Now pour the mixture over the carrots and cover the dish with aluminium foil. Bake for 90 minutes and remove the foil. Now drizzle the carrots with melted cinnamon butter from the baking dish and garnish with chopped parsley. Christmas 2019 Recipes: 5 Healthy Cookie Recipes to Make Your X-Mas Sweet Yet Fit
2. Lemon-Garlic Salmon
If you are looking for something healthy, we have got the thing for you. With only five ingredients, you can cook up this lemon garlic salmon. Season portions of salmon with salt and pepper and heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Heat some olive oil and place salmon portions into the skillet, keeping the skin side up. Sear for three to four minutes on each side. Move salmon to one side of the pan and pour lemon juice and garlic cloves into the empty area of skillet. Spoon garlic lemon juice over salmon and cook until the fish cooks properly. Sprinkle fresh dill on top of salmon portions and serve immediately. Rum Cake Recipe For Christmas 2019: Step-By-Step Guide To Bake Golden Rum Cake At Home (Watch Video)
3. Classic Braised Lamb Shanks
Whether you make these lamb shanks on an oven or an instant cooker, this dish is going to be over-the-top tasty. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and heat a large pot over high heat. Season the lamb shanks with salt, add oil to the pan and brown the shanks on all sides. Once you brown the shanks, transfer them to a plate and set aside. Now add onion, carrot, celery, tomato and garlic in a food processor and put the puree onto the browned shanks on the pan. Sauté for three to five minutes and stir in some cranberry juice. Now add the mixture to the shank and top them with rosemary sprigs. Cook in the 350-degree oven for around two hours until lamb is tender. Remove the lid during last 30 minutes of cooking to allow shanks to brown.
4. Mashed Potatoes
Who would possibly have a holiday without mashed potatoes? To whip up the perfect mashed potatoes, add potatoes and water in a large pot and add salt generously. Bring the potatoes to boil and cook until the potatoes are entirely soft. Drain the water and use a masher to mash the potatoes until smooth. Melt butter and milk on a different pan and combine well with the mashed potatoes. Now add sour cream and stir until combined. Season with salt and pepper and top the mixture with some more butter before serving. Healthy Christmas Cakes: Ways to Make Your Holiday Cakes Less Fattening Without Compromising on Taste
5. Fennel and Orange Salad
For a complete unexpected start to your Holiday meal, try this yummy fennel and orange salad. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, sumac, lemon juice and a generous pinch of salt. Now toss the thinly sliced fennel heads with the dressing. Add the oranges and layer the mixture with some feta cheese. If you wish, you can also substitute the oranges with pomegranate seeds and grapefruits.
Remember it is not always about the Christmas pudding. Keep your guests happy with these dishes that will leave them asking for more! So make sure that you prepare in generous amounts.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 23, 2019 01:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).