10 Elegant Christmas Dinner Recipes

Christmas is a time for celebration, feasting, and creating cherished memories with loved ones. If you’re looking to impress your family and friends with an elegant dinner, here are ten exquisite recipes that are sure to elevate your holiday meal.

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1. Herb-Crusted Prime Rib

Ingredients:

• 1 (5-6 lb) prime rib roast
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Mix garlic, rosemary, thyme, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Rub this mixture all over the prime rib.
3. Place the roast in a roasting pan and roast for 15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 325°F (165°C) and continue roasting until the internal temperature reaches 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare, about 1.5-2 hours.
4. Let it rest for 20 minutes before slicing. Serve with au jus or horseradish sauce.

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2. Stuffed Cornish Hens with Wild Rice

Ingredients:

• 4 Cornish hens
• 2 cups cooked wild rice
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a pan, sauté onion and garlic until translucent. In a bowl, combine cooked rice, cranberries, pecans, sautéed onion, salt, and pepper.
3. Stuff each Cornish hen with the wild rice mixture. Place them in a roasting pan and cover with foil.
4. Roast for 1 hour, removing the foil in the last 15 minutes to brown the skin.

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3. Beef Wellington

Ingredients:

• 2 lb beef tenderloin
• 8 oz mushrooms, finely chopped
• 4 oz pâté
• 1 sheet puff pastry
• 1 egg, beaten
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season beef with salt and pepper, sear in a hot skillet until browned. Let cool.
3. Sauté mushrooms until moisture evaporates. Let cool and mix with pâté.
4. Roll out puff pastry, place beef in the center, spread mushroom mixture over it, and wrap the pastry around it.
5. Brush with beaten egg and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Rest before slicing.

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4. Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup pecans, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, toss Brussels sprouts with maple syrup, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until caramelized.
4. Sprinkle with chopped pecans before serving.

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5. Lobster Risotto

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 4 cups seafood broth
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 cup cooked lobster meat, chopped
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 shallot, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, heat broth and keep it warm. In another pan, melt butter and sauté shallot until translucent.
2. Add Arborio rice and cook for 1-2 minutes. Pour in white wine and cook until absorbed.
3. Gradually add broth, one ladle at a time, stirring constantly until absorbed.
4. Stir in lobster and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with parsley before serving.

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6. Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 head garlic, roasted
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain.
2. In a bowl, mash the potatoes with roasted garlic, cream, butter, salt, and pepper until smooth.
3. Serve warm with additional butter on top if desired.

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7. Honey-Glazed Carrots

Ingredients:

• 1 lb baby carrots
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh thyme for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add carrots and sauté for 5 minutes.
2. Drizzle with honey, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking until carrots are tender and glazed.
3. Garnish with fresh thyme before serving.

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8. Classic Caesar Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Croutons for topping
• Fresh lemon juice (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine romaine lettuce and Caesar dressing. Toss to coat evenly.
2. Top with grated Parmesan and croutons. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salad if desired.
3. Serve immediately.

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9. Chocolate Fondue

Ingredients:

• 8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Fresh fruits (strawberries, bananas, apples) for dipping
• Marshmallows and pretzels (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, heat heavy cream over medium heat until steaming. Add chopped chocolate and stir until melted and smooth.
2. Transfer to a fondue pot or a serving bowl. Serve with fresh fruits, marshmallows, and pretzels for dipping.

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10. Eggnog Cheesecake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup eggnog
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter. Press into the bottom of a springform pan.
2. In a bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, then mix in eggnog, nutmeg, and vanilla.
3. Pour the mixture over the crust and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until set. Let cool before refrigerating. Serve chilled.

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These elegant Christmas dinner recipes are sure to impress your guests and create a festive atmosphere at your holiday table. Enjoy the warmth of the season with these delightful dishes!