15+ Christmas recipes from the Mediterranean Cuisine

Amidst an avalanche of kids’ performances and business parties to attend to, hundreds of to-do bullets to cross off your planner, ridiculously long shopping lists to go through, and the aftermath of Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas & New Year’s dinners can be a tad intimidating—and that’s an understatement! So wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could find a good dose of inspiration, great suggestions & ideas, versatile, original, tried & true recipes for appetizers, sides, main courses, and desserts, anything you might need around and about a holiday table, whether you’re hosting a big party or a simple family dinner, all in one good post? Well, here it is! A great collection of carefully curated recipes to make planning for your Christmas dinner a whole lot easier.

Even if you’re not in a “Falalalala lala lala” mood at this stage in your life—or have just always really hated Christmas—I think we can all agree that even the grumpiest of grumps can appreciate a good (festive) meal. Put on your Grinch face if you have to, and just scroll:

Αααχ, οι γιορτές! Μια χιονοστιβάδα από σχολικές παραστάσεις, πάρτι, δεκάδες υποχρεώσεις στην ατζέντα σας και γελοιωδώς μεγάλες λίστες για ψώνια. Μέσα σε όλο τον κακό χαμό, το τραπέζι των Χριστουγέννων & της Πρωτοχρονιάς ίσως είναι το τελευταίο πράγμα που θέλετε να αναλάβετε. Ακόμα και η αναζήτηση ιδεών στο διαδίκτυο μπορεί να αποδειχθεί χρονοβόρα – εκτός και αν είναι όλες μαζεμένες σε μια σελίδα! Όπως εδώ!

Πάρτε μια βαθιά αναπνοή και φτιάξτε μια κούπα ζεστή σοκολάτα. Ανατρέξτε στις κατηγορίες, έχω διαμορφώσει τις εξής:

• Ιδέες για απεριτίφ
• Ιδέες για πρωτότυπες «πινελιές» σε πλατό τυριών/αλλαντικών
• Ορεκτικά & συνοδευτικά πιάτα
• Σαλάτες & κυρίως
• Επιδόρπια
• Γλυκά συνοδευτικά για τον καφέ ή το τσάι

Σημειώστε τις συνταγές που σας αρέσουν (με ένα κλικ σε κάθε φωτογραφία θα μεταφερθείτε κατευθείαν στην αντίστοιχη συνταγή – τις περισσότερες θα τις βρείτε έτοιμες στα ελληνικά αλλιώς ο μεταφραστής του browser σας μπορεί να σας λύσει τα χέρια). Συνθέστε το δικό σας μενού και ψωνίστε τις προμήθειες σας από νωρίς – εκτός από τα ευπαθή προϊόντα και υλικά. Έχετε βρεί μια καλή δόση έμπνευσης, ένα ευέλικτο και πρωτότυπο μενού με δοκιμασμένες, απλές συνταγές και είστε πανέτοιμοι/ες για το γιορτινό τραπέζι, είτε πρόκειται για ένα μεγάλο πάρτυ είτε για ένα απλό οικογενειακό δείπνο. Παρακαλώ, δεν κάνει τίποτα!

Notes

All of the recipes are contributed by some of my favorite food bloggers. They are broken down into the following categories:

• Apéritifs
• Cheese/Charcuterie Platter ideas
• Appetizers & Sides
• Salads & Entrées
• Desserts
• Coffee/Tea/Hot Chocolate pairings

Pick any (or several) recipes from each category to create your own unique menu. Hover your mouse over each photo to see the recipe description & the blog behind the “yum!” Click on the photo to be directed to the original post; you will land directly on the recipe of your liking, not on a homepage.

“It’s pomegranate season! Enjoy a tasty, spiced holiday pomegranate liqueur to work up an appetite.” Krystina Kalapothakos @Kouzounas Kitchen

“The mulled wine spice-mix can be added to wine or other hot drink and it is perhaps the best way to relax & enjoy a cold winter night. It is also a wonderful, festive gift!” Evi Skoura @The Healthy Cook

“The sweet chilly & tomato jam is never missing from my fridge. It is perfect on a cheese platter. Labneh is a delectable & alternative way to enjoy yogurt. The yogurt cheese balls are very tasty and healthy!” Evi Skoura @The Healthy Cook

“A healthier version of creamed spinach, made with Greek yogurt is the best pairing to turkey or other meat. The vegetarian keftedes, inspired by the ‘mezedes’ of the famous Greek island, will definitely impress your guests.” Krystina Kalapothakos @Kouzounas Kitchen

“The chestnut-pumpkin soup is a creamy sweet & savory soup, perfect for the cold winter days. Comfort food at its finest!” Eleni Anagnostopoulou @My Easy Gourmet

“I present you with an Aglio e Olio Pasta With Broccoli Rabe & Roasted Tomatoes. I like it because it’s festive, perfect for a crowd, and super tasty. Merry Christmas from my family to yours!” Gina Martino Zarcadoolas @Foodie WineLover

“Christmas is a magical time in Greece, and baked goods from savory to sweet are made to be enjoyed with family & friends. Rest assured, they will completely devour these buttery traditional Cheese Puffs!” Didi Dalaba @didicoffeegirl – Just a Pinch Recipes

“The pork roast is straightforward and delicious. Just be careful to crisp the rind nicely, it needs some tender love and care. The beetroot salad has been a huge hit on festive tables, crunchy and crisp, it complements the roast perfectly.” Eugenia Makrogianneli @Eat Yourself Greek

“The salmon salad with asparagus is an impressive opening for any festive dinner, although it can also be served alone as a light meal. The main course of salmon with potatoes, roasted garlic, and tarragon sauce may take a while to prepare, but believe me, it’s worth it!” Evi Skoura @The Healthy Cook

“The super-food salad needs a semi-hard smoked cheese. I used ladotyri, but pecorino is a good alternative. The crispy leek risotto recipe calls for a side project at the same time, but it’s so worth trying! Remember to keep some leek and pomegranate seeds aside for decoration. Enjoy.” Eleni Anagnostopoulou @My Easy Gourmet

“The white chocolate & pistachio parfait may seem hard to make, but it is not! Its delicious flavor will be the perfect ending note of your festive dinner.” Evi Skoura @The Healthy Cook

“‘Diples are delicious dough sweets, bathed in honey & drizzled with cinnamon, we all enjoy during Christmas. They are so addictive you cannot possibly eat just one!” Katerina Delidimou @Culinary Flavors

“‘Kourabiedes are traditional Christmas sweets that you can find in any Greek home during the Holidays.” Katerina Delidimou @Culinary Flavors

*photos (in order of appearance) courtesy of Kouzounas Kitchen, The Healthy Cook, My Easy Gourmet, Foodie WineLover, Didi Dalaba, Eat Yourself Greek & Culinary Flavors