Delight in the Season: What’s Cooking for the Holidays
‘Tis the season for food, family and friends. From festive cocktails, to dinner dishes and desserts, I love to prepare my take on traditional favorites. Whether I’m holiday hosting or taking a dish to share, I always lock in the exceptional flavors of the season. Here are some of my favorites.
Appetizers and hors d’oeuvres are always a treat, but what I really look forward to is the main course. While holiday ham is a classic, I’m looking to a steamed Rosemary and Lemon Roast Chicken to elevate this year’s menu. For best cooking results, I turn to my Masterpiece® Steam and Convection Oven, which sees to it that my dish is perfectly moist on the inside with a golden brown roast on the outside. When the chicken is done, I plate it with savory roasted potatoes and extra lemon wedges on the side to further bring out the flavor. December deliciousness, here we come.
With all the work that goes into holiday preparation, a festive cocktail is definitely well deserved. Sparkling ciders always provide a special touch and remind me of holidays at home with family. Tapping into tradition, there’s nothing more tasty than a Holiday Spritz from Jardesca. The perfect pairing for a hearty holiday dinner menu, I take my Jardesca White Aperitiva from my Thermador Wine Preservation Column, and combine it with sparkling wine and a small spoonful of grenadine. With three separate zones for cooling, I can ensure each of the bottles I need for my handcrafted cocktails are cooled to the right temperature. For an extra festive touch, I garnish with pomegranate seeds and a touch of rosemary. It’s the perfect way to celebrate.
It wouldn’t be the holidays without a decadent dessert – and while fruit filled pies are a staple of the season, I like to switch things up. One of my ultimate go-to fruity desserts uses peaches to create a Stone Fruit Galette, a rustic take on a traditional sweet treat. For a crust that’s soft with a slight crunch, I again turn to my Masterpiece® Steam and Convection Oven, which can cook my main course and dessert at the same time without flavor transfer. After folding the edge of the pastry dough over my fruit filling, I bake my creation 40-50 minutes until the crust is golden and the fruit mixture is bubbling. Serve it warm with a single scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ll have everyone asking for your secret recipe.
What holiday dishes are you serving this year? To give my favorites a try, check out the full recipes below. And don’t forget to share your thoughts with us in the comments or on our social channels: www.facebook.com/thermador, @ThermadorHome and @Thermador.
Happy Holidays!
