Christmas Entertaining Tips: Our Top Festive Dinner & Cocktail Recipes
Photo by Gaby Dyson on Unsplash
As 2020 draws to a close and the festive season is upon us, we’re ready for some much-needed time with friends and loved ones. While this year may feel different from the rest, it is nonetheless a time to celebrate. If you’re looking for some inspiration for what to make for any upcoming Christmas gatherings, we have you covered with some of our favourites.
Spanning across countries and cultures and passed down through the generations, we’ve rounded up some of our top drinks and dishes for the season. Gather up a few friends and family to try them out, and we hope everyone has a wonderful and merry Christmas!
Gravlax Salmon On Blinis + Bucks Fizz by Vicky
Gravlax Salmon on Blinis
Ingredients: gravlax salmon, crème fraiche, dill (fresh or sauce), blinis
Bucks Fizz
Ingredients: M&S Clementine & Cranberry Bucks Fizz
“My mum has always served Gravlax Salmon or Prawn Cocktail for a starter on Christmas Day, as we aren’t going to be seeing them this year I have chosen to do the same to bring some of my traditions I grew up with to our family Christmas. Bucks Fizz is another Christmas tradition but I’m mixing it up this year with a new flavour! My children have orange juice and lemonade in champagne glasses.” – Vicky Jones, Finance Account Executive, Accela Finance
Baked Brie + Eggnog by Jess
Baked Brie
Ingredients: wheel of brie, puff pastry (can buy frozen and thaw), egg, all-purpose flour, your choice of other fillings (i.e. jam, nuts, honey, caramelised onions)
Eggnog
Ingredients: eggs, superfine sugar, whole milk, heavy cream, choice of spirit (rum or bourbon are my favourites!), garnish with ground spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice
“Baked brie is a favourite in my house around the holidays – my mom always makes it as an appetiser for everyone to snack on while dinner is being prepared. Eggnog is our dessert, very rich and indulgent but the perfect way to end a Christmas dinner.”
– Jessica Slevin, Senior Communications Director, Accela Communications
Potatoes au Gratin + Tom & Jerry by Erin
Potatoes au Gratin
Ingredients: potatoes, salt, unsalted butter, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and a pinch of nutmeg
Tom & Jerry
Ingredients: eggs, cream of tartar, butter, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, dark rum, brandy, milk garnish with nutmeg
“Nothing says "it's Christmas!" to me like a Tom & Jerry - the perfect combination packs a punch and can also be a meal. I love the simplicity of our go-to potato dish. It's delicious, but also lets the main course shine.”
– Erin Padilla, CEO & Co-Founder, Accela Group
Mince Pies + Mulled Wine by Jen
Mince Pies
Ingredients: minced meat (a mixture of chopped boozy, spiced fruit - no actual meat), pastry (shop-bought or homemade for the adventurous) and finished off with a dusting of icing sugar
Mulled Wine
Ingredients: One bottle of red wine, fresh oranges, cinnamon sticks, mulling spices (such as whole cloves, star anise and cardamom pods) and a little sugar or apple cider
“Mince pies really get me in the festive spirit and start the countdown to Christmas. My mum makes the best homemade ones, but this year Marks and Spencer has come to the rescue (and I’ve definitely had my fair share). Mulled wine is a staple over Christmas in Europe, and it always reminds me of the festive markets or skiing in the Alps.” – Jen Stewart, Communications Director, Accela Communications
Cumin-Stewed Chickpeas + Negroni by Lydia
Cumin-Stewed Chickpeas
Ingredients: whole chickpeas, cumin, kale, garlic, olive oil, black pepper, arms (strength)
Serve with any bread/grain of choice
Negroni
Ingredients: gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, orange peel
“It’s Christmas, we gotta eat as much as we can – how else to kickstart our appetite if not a Negroni? Cumin-stewed chickpeas is as inclusive as we can get with dietary restrictions – dairy free, vegan, gluten free!“
– Lydia Lee, Senior HR Administrator, Accela Talent
