Easy Menu for Christmas Dinner
The Christmas holiday can be a fun but stressful time, so simplify things with an easy Christmas dinner menu that won't keep you long in the kitchen and will allow you to spend more time with friends and family.
Potluck
One option for a very, very easy Christmas dinner is to hold a potluck holiday party. That way, you only have to cook one or two things yourself, and everyone else will contribute something as well. You can set a theme for the potluck dinner and ask everyone to make a dish that is tied to a certain cuisine, such as Chinese, Indian or Spanish--whatever you know everyone would enjoy. Or you can keep it classic and ask everyone to bring their favorite Christmas dinner dish--just make sure beforehand that no one overlaps.
Main Course
If you are going to create the entire dinner yourself, you might consider Cornish game hens as your main course. One per person is usually more than enough. With the game hens, there is no need to stuff or glaze. You simply rub them all over with olive oil, season with salt and any herbs you choose, and then roast for an hour at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Another easy option is to buy a pre-cooked ham. Look for the fully cooked variety, which needs to be baked about 10 minutes per pound. Cover the ham in foil before baking to keep it moist.
Side Dishes
The easiest and tastiest side dishes can be created simply by roasting seasoned vegetables, such as sweet potatoes covered in rosemary. The scent coming from your oven is divine in itself. Also, try foil-wrapping tomatoes, portobello mushrooms, garlic cloves and onions (first brushing them in olive oil) and roasting or even broiling for 30 minutes. Not only is it simple, but it's good for you as well. Steaming vegetables is another extremely healthful option, and it's also very uncomplicated. Brussels sprouts, carrots and broccoli work very well.
Desserts
The easiest dessert idea would be to simply purchase a cake or box of fresh cookies from the grocery store or bakery. However, if you prefer to make everything yourself, try a no-bake cheesecake or two. Or bake up several batches of sugar cookies from pre-made cookie dough and have your guests get into the holiday spirit by helping decorate the cookies with sprinkles.
Beverages
A nice bottle of champagne or wine is always a good idea for a special holiday dinner. But to make things more festive, why not make some sangria? This is a very simple and flexible drink to create, as the recipe really depends on your tastes and what you have in the fridge. The basic recipe includes red wine, fruit juice, pieces of fruit and maybe a little sugar. You can even add a little cola for a fizzy kick.
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