What dishes are a must on your Christmas table?

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eating.mouse

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Hi everyone!

The holidays are coming, and I’m really curious about the traditional Christmas dishes you have in your country.


Where I’m from, we usually serve beetroot soup with dumplings, pierogi with cabbage and mushrooms, carp, different kinds of herring, and a poppy seed cake.


What about you? What dishes are a must on your Christmas table? I’d love to hear about your traditions! 🎄🍽️
 
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In the UK its traditionally its turkey and of course Brussel sprouts. Some people have a beef joint or goose. Others may have chicken or a vegetarian/vegan option.

I'm interested that you say you are in Venice but the food you list sounds very much like Polish food. I'd like to know how the herrings are prepared
 
I don’t know about “must,” but I really do want a nice prime rib roast. I may actually miss that this year, as we’re out of town right when the selection (and price - that’s a spendy hunk o’ meat!) is best.

Roasted potatoes, gravy, Yorkshire puds always make an appearance, but again, not must-haves.

It’s not unusual where I live (SW Ohio) for people to serve lasagna as an alternative Christmas meal. I’d love to do that, but good luck talking my wife into it. She wants the roast beef!

I haven’t even thought about our meal this year…yet. I’m going be struggling, as we’re not back in town until the 20th. Is this the year for lasagna?!
 
Morning Glory said:
In the UK its traditionally its turkey and of course Brussel sprouts. Some people have a beef joint or goose. Others may have chicken or a vegetarian/vegan option.

I'm interested that you say you are in Venice but the food you list sounds very much like Polish food. I'd like to know how the herrings are prepared
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That actually sounds great -I do like meat, and in Poland our Christmas Eve dinner is traditionally meat-free, so it’s a big contrast! I’m currently in Venice on a business trip, but I’ll be going back to Poland to spend the holidays with my family :)
 
TastyReuben said:
I don’t know about “must,” but I really do want a nice prime rib roast. I may actually miss that this year, as we’re out of town right when the selection (and price - that’s a spendy hunk o’ meat!) is best.

Roasted potatoes, gravy, Yorkshire puds always make an appearance, but again, not must-haves.

It’s not unusual where I live (SW Ohio) for people to serve lasagna as an alternative Christmas meal. I’d love to do that, but good luck talking my wife into it. She wants the roast beef!

I haven’t even thought about our meal this year…yet. I’m going be struggling, as we’re not back in town until the 20th. Is this the year for lasagna?!
Click to expand...
That all sounds amazing - prime rib roast is definitely a treat!
Whatever you choose, I’m sure it’ll be delicious. Let me know if lasagna wins the debate this year! :)
 
I usually have a few different types of meat, must have is seafood and onion soup. Everything else is to fill in so they are not going to bed hungry, lol.

I don’t have turkey because we just had turkey for Thanksgiving. I save the roast beef for New Year, and maybe grilled California lobsters and steaks for New Year’s Eve.
 
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For the main meal must haves are -

A ridiculous amount of super crispy roast potatoes.
Brussel spouts with pancetta and pine nuts.
Mashed carrot and swede.
Creamed corn.
Dauphinoise potatoes.
Roast red onion and whole roasted garlic.
Roasted honeyed parsnips.
Turkey or bird in a bird in a bird.
Sausagemeat stuffing.
Pigs in blankets.
Crusted baked Gammon.
Voluminous amounts of gravy.
Cranberry sauce.
 
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SandwichShortOfAPicnic said:
For the main meal must haves are -

A ridiculous amount of super crispy roast potatoes.
Brussel spouts with pancetta and pine nuts.
Mashed carrot and swede.
Creamed corn.
Dauphinoise potatoes.
Roast red onion and whole roasted garlic.
Roasted honeyed parsnips.
Turkey or bird in a bird in a bird.
Sausagemeat stuffing.
Pigs in blankets.
Crusted baked Gammon.
Voluminous amounts of gravy.
Cranberry sauce.
Click to expand...
Your list reminds me to add parsnips to my Christmas menu, maybe mashed parsnips with the lamb dish.
 
Here, with it usually hitting mid to high thirties (Celsius) on Christmas day (33-38°C), it's salad, fresh fruit and pavlova. A nice rich salad, loads of the local extra virgin olive oil and cumin+coriander+parsley+fresh coriander leaves+garlic over chickpeas, spring onions and a few other bits.
 
Traditional here is:
Hallacas No way to explain these; something like a Mexican tamale, but far, far more sophisticated!)
Pan de jamón ( Bread stuffed with ham, bacon, olives and raisins)
Ensalada de gallina ( think classic Russian salad, but with chicken)
Pernil (roast pork)
Arepas (maybe) corn meal bread
Tequeños (pastries filled with cheese)
Rum - plenty of it.
 
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