Top 5 Best Easy Christmas Recipes

As Christmas approaches, many people aspire to concoct an exceptional meal without spending hours on it. Fortunately, it is entirely possible to surprise your guests with easy and tasty Christmas recipes , without compromising on taste or presentation. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce the aperitif in the form of gourmet verrines, which set the tone for a festive and elegant evening.

Whether you're a novice or a seasoned chef , these recipes have been designed to be quick and easy to make, while ensuring that all your guests are happy . A variety of ideas, from smoked salmon to chocolate, have been selected to make your Christmas meal memorable without having to tie you up in the kitchen.

Ready to dazzle your loved ones with these foolproof Christmas recipes ? Discover our selection for an even more magical holiday season.

1. Festive and simple aperitif: Smoked salmon and cream cheese canapés

To start your Christmas meal with lightness and indulgence, opt for smoked salmon and cream cheese canapés. This recipe, both delicious and easy to make, is a perfect choice for a festive aperitif.

The essential ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make these delicious canapés:

• 4 slices of smoked salmon
• 100 to 200 g of fresh cheese (such as mascarpone or Plaisir Nature type fresh cheese)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of crème fraîche
• Aromatic herbs like dill and chives
• A little lemon juice
• Slices of bread (wholemeal sandwich bread or blinis for a more refined version)
• Garlic and herbs for seasoning (optional)

Preparation steps

Prepare these canapes by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Preparing the fresh cheese
In a bowl, mix the cream cheese with the crème fraîche, chopped herbs (dill and chives), and a little lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 2: Preparing the toasts
Slice the bread and toast it in a toaster or in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil. For added flavor, you can brown some chopped garlic in the pan.

Step 3: Assembling the sofas
Spread the cream cheese mixture generously on the toast. Cut the smoked salmon slices into strips and arrange them on top.

Serve immediately or keep chilled until ready to serve. These smoked salmon and cream cheese canapés, accompanied by foie gras and mango verrines for a gourmet aperitif, offer an elegant and simple starter for your Christmas meal, while leaving you time to devote yourself to other preparations without stress.

2. Light and tasty starter: Pumpkin velouté and coconut cream

For a starter that is both light and full of flavor, opt for the pumpkin velouté with coconut cream. This dish skillfully combines the sweetness of pumpkin with the richness of coconut cream, offering a comforting and sophisticated taste experience.

The key ingredients

To make this soup, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 pumpkin or squash (about 600 g to 1 kg)
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic (optional)
• 1 to 2 medium sized potatoes (optional)
• 125 to 250 ml of coconut milk
• 1 vegetable or vegetable stock cube
• About 1 liter of water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Spices: curry, turmeric, salt, pepper, and nutmeg (to taste)
• Sesame seeds or coriander for decoration (optional)

Preparation tips

Follow these key steps to prepare your velouté:

Step 1: Preparing the vegetables
Peel and dice the pumpkin. Peel and dice the potatoes as well, if you choose to use them. Thinly slice the onion and mince the garlic.

Step 2: Cooking the vegetables
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Sauté the onion and garlic until soft. Then add the diced pumpkin and potato, stock cube, water, and season with spices. Simmer over low heat for about 30 to 45 minutes, or until the vegetables are very tender.

Step 3: Add the coconut cream and mix
Add the coconut milk to the cooked vegetables and blend everything with a hand blender or in a blender until you obtain a smooth, velvety texture. Adjust the consistency with a little water if necessary.

Serve your velouté piping hot, garnished with sesame seeds or coriander leaves to add a touch of freshness and colour. You can also add a luxurious dimension to your starter by serving verrines of velouté topped with foie gras mousse. Making our recipes has never been easier!

This recipe, in addition to being exquisite, is simple to prepare and can be personalized according to your taste preferences.

3. Comforting main dish: Turkey stuffed with herbs and chestnuts

For the main course of your Christmas dinner, nothing beats herb and chestnut stuffed turkey. This traditional recipe is both comforting and tasty, and it’s perfect for impressing your guests .

Ingredients not to forget

To prepare this delicious stuffed turkey, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 Label Rouge or farm turkey of around 3 to 4 kg
• 500 g of natural chestnuts (fresh, frozen, canned or vacuum-packed)
• 300 g of fine stuffing (or sausage meat) prepared by your butcher or delicatessen
• 1 onion and 2 shallots
• 100 g of smoked bacon strips
• 1 slice of sandwich bread and 15 cl of milk
• 50 g butter and 1 egg
• 1 chicken bouillon cube and 3 tablespoons of cognac
• Aromatic herbs: thyme, bay leaf, parsley, sage
• Salt and pepper from the mill

Cooking guide

Step 1: Preparing the stuffing
Chop the onion and shallots, then brown them in a little butter. Add the sausage meat, smoked bacon, bread soaked in milk and cognac, and chopped aromatic herbs.

Mix well and add the egg to bind the stuffing.

Step 2: Stuffing the turkey
Prepare the turkey by gutting and trussing it. Stuff it with the prepared stuffing, making sure to distribute the ingredients evenly inside the turkey cavity.

Step 3: Cooking the turkey
Place the stuffed turkey in a large baking dish and brush with butter.

Add the chestnuts around the turkey and sprinkle with a little chicken stock and cognac. Bake at 180°C for about 2 to 3 hours, or until the turkey is golden brown and cooked.

Step 4: Preparing the chestnuts
While the turkey is cooking, cook the chestnuts in a little butter with salt, pepper and aromatic herbs.

You can also cook them in the turkey juices to make them more flavorful.

Step 5: Service
Once the turkey is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with the chestnuts and cooking juices.

This recipe is sure to delight your guests and make your Christmas meal unforgettable.

4. Gourmet accompaniment: Simplified gratin dauphinois

For a delicious and comforting accompaniment, gratin dauphinois is an excellent choice . This recipe, a classic of French cuisine, is easy to prepare and is sure to please all your guests.

The essentials

To make a simplified gratin dauphinois, here are the necessary ingredients:

• 1 kg of potatoes (varieties such as Charlottes, Amandines, Pompadours or Belles de Fontenay)
• 30 to 40 cl of crème fraîche or whole liquid cream
• 25 to 40 cl of milk (vegetable milk possible)
• 20 to 40 grams of butter
• 1 to 2 cloves of garlic
• Nutmeg, salt and pepper
• Optional: grated cheese (such as Gruyere or Parmigiano Reggiano)

Easy preparation method

Here are the simple steps to prepare your gratin dauphinois:

Step 1: Preparing the potatoes
Peel and cut the potatoes into thin slices. Avoid washing them after cutting them to preserve their starch, which is essential for the gratin to hold its shape.

Step 2: Preheating and preparing the dish
Preheat your oven to 180°C (thermostat 6). Grease a gratin dish with a paper towel soaked in butter and rub the bottom and sides with a clove of garlic.

Step 3: Pre-cook the potatoes
Bring the milk to a boil with the garlic, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add the potatoes to this mixture and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until slightly tender.

Drain the potatoes and arrange them in layers in the baking dish. Alternate the layers of potatoes with cream and caramelized onion pieces for an even tastier accompaniment. Finish with a layer of cream and, if desired, grated cheese. For inspiration, consider discovering our delicious and original recipes on our site.

Step 5: Final cooking
Bake the gratin for about 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until the potatoes are tender and the surface is golden brown. Check the cooking regularly to prevent the gratin from burning.

This simplified gratin dauphinois is the perfect accompaniment to your stuffed turkey or any other main dish. It is sure to delight your guests with its richness and flavor.

5. Traditional dessert revisited: Express Christmas log with chocolate and hazelnuts

To conclude your Christmas meal with a traditional dessert , while remaining quick and easy to prepare, opt for the express chocolate and hazelnut Christmas log . This recipe combines the richness of chocolate with the sweetness of hazelnuts , for a dessert that is both delicious and elegant.

Ingredients needed

To make this express Christmas log, here are the ingredients you will need:

• 300 g dark chocolate
• 125 g hazelnut powder
• 4 eggs
• 140 g sugar
• 30 g flour
• 50 g butter
• 250 g of whole liquid cream
• A pinch of salt

Quick assembly technique

Step 1: Preparing the biscuit

Start by preheating your oven to 180°C. Separate the egg whites from the yolks. Whisk the yolks with the sugar until the mixture whitens. Beat the egg whites until stiff and gently fold them into the yolk mixture in three batches, to loosen the dough. Then add the flour and sifted hazelnut powder, gently folding them in. Pour the mixture into a log mold covered with baking paper and bake for about 10 minutes.

Step 2: Preparing the ganache

Melt the chocolate with the butter, either in a bain-marie or in the microwave intermittently. Heat the liquid cream and pour it over the melted chocolate in three times, mixing well after each addition. Add the butter in pieces and mix until melted. Let cool and set aside in the refrigerator, mixing from time to time, until it has the consistency of a spread.

Step 3: Assembling the log

Let the biscuit cool before carefully removing it from the mould. Unroll it and cover it with chocolate ganache. Roll it up again and cut one end about 2 cm. Place this end on top of the log to imitate a knot. Cover everything with ganache, smoothing with a spatula.

Step 4: Decoration

Using a fork, make stripes on the log to give it the appearance of a real log. Sprinkle with icing sugar and decorate with crushed hazelnuts before serving. This log can be served with a sweet mango risotto, giving an exotic touch to your Christmas dessert. Leave in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. This express chocolate and hazelnut Christmas log is the perfect sweet treat to end the meal on a festive and creative note.

Conclusion

With these 5 easy and delicious Christmas recipes , you are ready to create an unforgettable holiday meal without exhausting yourself in the kitchen. From the smoked salmon and cream cheese canapé as an appetizer, to the pumpkin and coconut cream velouté as a starter, to the turkey stuffed with herbs and chestnuts, the simplified gratin dauphinois, and the express chocolate and hazelnut Christmas log, each dish has been chosen for its simplicity and exceptional taste .

These recipes meet the requirements of pleasing all palates and gently surprising your guests . Don't forget to take your time and fully enjoy these moments of conviviality, because it is in the art of eating together that the true magic of Christmas celebrations lies.

So, don't hesitate to take action and cook these delicacies to make your holiday celebrations even more memorable.

FAQ

What are the basic ingredients for preparing a traditional Christmas log?

To make a traditional Christmas log , here are the essential ingredients:

• Genoise or Joconde biscuit : eggs, sugar, flour, and, for some, tant pour tant (mixture of equal parts icing sugar and almond powder) or almond powder.
• Buttercream : egg yolks, sugar, butter, sometimes with praline or chocolate for added indulgence.
• Optional : rum syrup to soak the sponge cake, meringue and other toppings such as meringue mushrooms for decoration.

What are some traditional meat dishes often served during Christmas?

Christmas celebrations are an opportunity to enjoy various traditional meat dishes :

• Turkey stuffed with chestnuts , roast capon, and guinea fowl are among the favorites.
• The filet mignon in crust, the Wellington-style beef fillet, and the duck breast also delight the palate.
• For a rustic touch, game, such as wild boar and wild boar, is a great option.
• Christmas ham , traditional in the Antilles, and Orloff-style roast pork add a gourmet touch to the festive meal.

What are some economical alternatives for a festive Christmas menu?

Here are some economical alternatives for a festive Christmas menu:

• Choose a pistachio terrine or pâté en croûte with foie gras flakes instead of foie gras.
• Opt for shrimp instead of expensive shellfish, and smoked trout instead of smoked salmon.
• Select seasonal vegetables for starters, such as squash soups or mushroom pies.
• Choose affordable main dishes like chicken ballotins with mushroom duxelles or a casserole of chicken thighs and vegetables.
• For dessert, treat yourself to jam or chocolate rolls, or puff pastry biscuits.

What easy and impressive desserts can you make for Christmas?

Here are some ideas for easy but effective desserts for Christmas: Chocolate Yule Log : A simple version of the classic, with a rolled cake and a creamy chocolate ganache. Christmas Truffles : Easy to prepare, these little treats can be decorated with cocoa powder or glitter for a festive effect. Christmas Tree Cake : A visually appealing cake thanks to a tree-shaped mold. Christmas Mendiants : Chocolate filled with dried fruits and nuts, an easily customizable recipe. Decorated Christmas Cookies : Classic cookies that you can decorate with colorful icing and festive decorations.