17+ Recipe For Christmas Eve Dinner Discover Culinary Perfection!

Main Course: Roasted Turkey

Preparation:

To start off, you will need a 12-15 pound turkey that has been thawed and cleaned. Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a roasting pan with a rack. In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of softened butter, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary. Gently loosen the skin of the turkey and spread the butter mixture under the skin, covering as much of the breast and thigh meat as possible. This will keep the meat moist and add a delicious flavor.

Cooking:

Place the turkey on the prepared roasting rack and pour 1 cup of chicken or turkey broth into the bottom of the pan. Cover the turkey with foil and place in the oven. Cook for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, basting the turkey with the juices in the pan every hour. In the last hour of cooking, remove the foil and let the skin brown and crisp up. The turkey is done when a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F.

Serving:

Let the turkey rest for 15-20 minutes before carving and serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and keep the meat tender and juicy. Serve with your choice of stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy for a traditional Christmas dinner.

Side Dishes: Roasted Vegetables and Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Vegetables:

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Cut 2 pounds of your favorite vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Some great options include carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes. Toss the vegetables with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary, and salt and pepper to taste. Spread the vegetables onto a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until tender and slightly browned.

Mashed Potatoes:

Peel and dice 4-6 potatoes and place them in a pot of boiling water. Cook until fork-tender, then drain and return to the pot. In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup of milk and 4 tablespoons of butter until the butter is melted. Pour the milk mixture over the potatoes and mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Dessert: Peppermint Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 box of chocolate cake mix
• 1 cup of water
• 1/3 cup of vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup of crushed peppermint candies
• 1 container of chocolate frosting

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, water, oil, and eggs. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in 3/4 cup of crushed peppermint candies. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before frosting with chocolate frosting and sprinkling with the remaining 1/4 cup of crushed peppermint candies.

In Conclusion:

With this delicious and easy recipe for Christmas Eve dinner, you can spend less time stressing in the kitchen and more time enjoying the festive season with your loved ones. This meal is sure to become a new holiday tradition and will leave your guests feeling merry and satisfied. Happy holidays!