Spotlight Recipes: A Meaty Christmas Menu by Dana Angelo White in Healthy Holidays, Healthy Recipes, December 21, 2009
When it comes to Christmas dinner, anything goes. Every family has their favorite classics, but we like to mix it up each year with simple, yet elegant dishes. This holiday, we’re doing a lighter, steakhouse-inspired meal but without all those extra calories.
Toast the Holiday
I love to greet my guests with a cocktail. It’s the best time of year for pomegranates, so these martinis are perfect. Make a large pitcher ahead of time instead of running back and forth from the bar.
RECIPE: Pomegranate Cosmos
Light Bite
Clams make a tasty and delicate first course. Dress them up for the holiday with red bell pepper, pancetta and a touch of Parmesan cheese.
RECIPE: Clams Casino
Main Event
Beef tenderloin is a lean cut of meat that’s always a crowd-pleaser. To go along with it, serve baked potatoes with a side of creamy herb and yogurt topping and some simple wilted greens.
- Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Red Pepper and Black Olive Sauce
- Baked Potatoes with Creamy Herb Topping
- Sautéed Spinach
Sweets & Treats
I don’t crank out the desserts because guests inevitably bring some along — cookies, sweet breads and more. To balance, serve a fruit salad or some decadent chocolate-covered strawberries finish off the meal.
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More posts from Dana Angelo White.
Yes, every family have their favorite though as the years go by, these traditional recipes take on a new wholesomeness. The Ina Garten proposal you made is actually one of the cocktail options served here but the garnishing is made slightly different.
Looks like you have a picture of oysters there, do you have the recipe for those?