The Christmas spirit is at an all-time high, with the holiday being a mere two days away. Mariah Carey has been fully awakened from her slumber, and we can almost taste the delicious meals that will be waiting for us at the festive dinner table. Your stomach has growled at you even at the thought of it, hasn’t it?A juicy turkey, delicious sides, sweet pecan pies, and freshly baked gingerbread cookies—these are the foods that we usually save for Christmas and get to savor during the holidays.But if you haven’t planned your meals or you might feel overwhelmed wondering what to serve this year, don’t worry;Bored Pandais here to help!We’ve compiled a list of some of the most stunning Christmas dishes that creative cooks have whipped up in their kitchens. So kick back and feast your eyes on the mouth-watering meals below that might give you some inspiration for your own festive table.This post may includeaffiliate links.
The Christmas spirit is at an all-time high, with the holiday being a mere two days away. Mariah Carey has been fully awakened from her slumber, and we can almost taste the delicious meals that will be waiting for us at the festive dinner table. Your stomach has growled at you even at the thought of it, hasn’t it?
A juicy turkey, delicious sides, sweet pecan pies, and freshly baked gingerbread cookies—these are the foods that we usually save for Christmas and get to savor during the holidays.
But if you haven’t planned your meals or you might feel overwhelmed wondering what to serve this year, don’t worry;Bored Pandais here to help!
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most stunning Christmas dishes that creative cooks have whipped up in their kitchens. So kick back and feast your eyes on the mouth-watering meals below that might give you some inspiration for your own festive table.
This post may includeaffiliate links.
Usually, our Christmas table is full of meals that we enjoy the most, making each one of them unique. But the festive dinner isn’t the same without traditional staples like a roasted bird, Brussels sprouts, mash with gravy, or gingerbread cookies.For example, in the UK, people eat overten million turkeysat Christmas, and even though there’s always someone complaining about the meat being dry or bland, it’s a fan favorite across the country.
Usually, our Christmas table is full of meals that we enjoy the most, making each one of them unique. But the festive dinner isn’t the same without traditional staples like a roasted bird, Brussels sprouts, mash with gravy, or gingerbread cookies.
For example, in the UK, people eat overten million turkeysat Christmas, and even though there’s always someone complaining about the meat being dry or bland, it’s a fan favorite across the country.
But have we ever stopped to think about the origins of the dishes we put on our tables every year? The turkey, for example, initially started as a goose. People avoided slaughtering cows for meat, as they produced milk all year round, while chickens produced eggs, which were quite expensive. Geese only lay eggs seasonally, which makes them the perfect candidates for the Christmas table.
Gingerbread is also a classic during the holidays, but did you know that the tradition of building and decorating it as a house began in Germany? Food historians say that this activity started with the Brothers Grimm publishing their book of fairy tales in the 1800s. The story of Hansel and Gretel, two children who found a house made of bread and sugar decorations, circulated throughout the country and inspired German bakers to create their own versions.Today, the edible structures have become vastly bigger and more intricate, like thisDownton Abbeyone.
Gingerbread is also a classic during the holidays, but did you know that the tradition of building and decorating it as a house began in Germany? Food historians say that this activity started with the Brothers Grimm publishing their book of fairy tales in the 1800s. The story of Hansel and Gretel, two children who found a house made of bread and sugar decorations, circulated throughout the country and inspired German bakers to create their own versions.
Today, the edible structures have become vastly bigger and more intricate, like thisDownton Abbeyone.
Besides, we also have to thank Germany for coming up with our belovedcandy canes. The popular legend says that they date back to 1670 when the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral handed out sugar sticks to the younger singers to quiet them down during the Living Creche ceremony. People complained that sweets weren’t appropriate at church, so he bent them into shepherd’s hooks in honor of Christmas.There’s also another version, a less fun one, that says that it’s possible that Germans angled candy canes to hang them from trees alongside other decorations like cookies and fruits.
Besides, we also have to thank Germany for coming up with our belovedcandy canes. The popular legend says that they date back to 1670 when the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral handed out sugar sticks to the younger singers to quiet them down during the Living Creche ceremony. People complained that sweets weren’t appropriate at church, so he bent them into shepherd’s hooks in honor of Christmas.
There’s also another version, a less fun one, that says that it’s possible that Germans angled candy canes to hang them from trees alongside other decorations like cookies and fruits.
Additionally, it’s common that during the holidays, most avid bakers and cooks pull out spices like cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger from their cupboards. Afterward, they appear in all sorts of dishes, and it’s all because of some soldiers who fought in the Crusades (a religious war). They were the ones who brought back the spices and the style of combining them with dried fruit and meat. At first, they were so valuable that they were saved for the most important celebrations, particularly Christmas. Now they are easily accessible and can be found in pies, cookies, and chicken dishes.
Eggnog, as we know it today, is a concoction of eggs, milk, and sugar spiked with rum or bourbon. While its lineage can’t be accurately traced back, most historians agree that it originated from the medieval British drink “posset.” It was made with hot milk that was curdled with wine or ale and flavored with spices. The ingredients were the food of the wealthy, so eggnog was often used in toasts for prosperity and good health. It was tied to the holiday when the drink reached America. In fact,George Washingtonshared his own eggnog recipe that was very alcohol-heavy, with four different types of booze included in it. What a fun guy!
As we can see, we’ve come a long way before we ended up with unique dishes like the ones on the list. If you lack the confidence to try the creative Christmas foods you see in the pictures, maybe you can try returning to the traditional ones; no one will judge you for it!
For more holiday-inspired foods, make sure to check out our earlier publicationshereandhere.
Lastly, we wish you delicious upcoming holidays and happy cooking!
You can use it as a vegetable course with a good piece of meat, but it is also super delicious as a main meal.
See Also on Bored Panda
Continue reading with Bored Panda PremiumUnlimited contentAd-free browsingDark modeSubscribe nowAlready a subscriber?Sign In
Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited contentAd-free browsingDark mode
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber?Sign In
Ingredients: 300g All-purpose flour; 150g sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla sugar (I am using some self-made here); 1 egg; 200g butter; A pinch of salt; 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder; 2 tablespoons of cream.Mix the flour, sugar, and vanilla sugar in a bowl, then add the egg, butter, and salt (I strongly recommend adding the butter in little pieces, as it will be much easier to knead). Then knead the dough with your hands until you have a nice firm ball. In the next step, you part the dough in half, take one of the halves, and knead in the cocoa powder and cream. The dough itself is now completed and then you come to the fun part: designing your cookies.
Modal closeAdd New ImageModal closeAdd Your Photo To This ListPlease use high-res photos without watermarksOoops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.Not your original work?Add sourcePublish
Modal close
Add New ImageModal closeAdd Your Photo To This ListPlease use high-res photos without watermarksOoops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.Not your original work?Add sourcePublish
Modal closeAdd Your Photo To This ListPlease use high-res photos without watermarksOoops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.Not your original work?Add sourcePublish
Add Your Photo To This ListPlease use high-res photos without watermarksOoops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
Add Your Photo To This List
Please use high-res photos without watermarks
Ooops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
Not your original work?Add source
Modal closeModal closeOoops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.UploadUploadError occurred when generating embed. Please check link and try again.TwitterRender conversationUse html versionGenerate not embedded versionAdd watermarkInstagramShow Image OnlyHide CaptionCropAdd watermarkFacebookShow Image OnlyAdd watermarkChangeSourceTitleUpdateAdd Image
Modal closeOoops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.UploadUploadError occurred when generating embed. Please check link and try again.TwitterRender conversationUse html versionGenerate not embedded versionAdd watermarkInstagramShow Image OnlyHide CaptionCropAdd watermarkFacebookShow Image OnlyAdd watermarkChangeSourceTitleUpdateAdd Image
Upload
UploadError occurred when generating embed. Please check link and try again.TwitterRender conversationUse html versionGenerate not embedded versionAdd watermarkInstagramShow Image OnlyHide CaptionCropAdd watermarkFacebookShow Image OnlyAdd watermark
Error occurred when generating embed. Please check link and try again.
TwitterRender conversationUse html versionGenerate not embedded versionAdd watermark
InstagramShow Image OnlyHide CaptionCropAdd watermark
FacebookShow Image OnlyAdd watermark
ChangeSourceTitle
Occasions
