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WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5223 [post_author] => 5 [post_date] => 2024-12-09 19:08:27 [post_date_gmt] => 2024-12-09 19:08:27 [post_content] => [post_title] => Christmas Eve Dinner 2024: 6 Irresistible Recipes [post_excerpt] => Impress your guests with these 6 recipe ideas for Christmas Eve dinner, featuring appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Follow these tips! [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => christmas-eve-dinner-2024-6-irresistible-recipes [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-12-09 19:09:24 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-12-09 19:09:24 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://mandrioladelisboa.pt/?p=5223 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) 1Array ( [cover] => Array ( [ID] => 5216 [id] => 5216 [title] => receitas de Natal com Mandriola de Lisboa [filename] => receitas-de-Natal-com-Mandriola-de-Lisboa.png [filesize] => 475661 [url] => https://mandrioladelisboa.pt/wp-content/uploads/receitas-de-Natal-com-Mandriola-de-Lisboa.png [link] => https://mandrioladelisboa.pt/ceia-de-natal-2024-6-receitas-irresistiveis/receitas-de-natal-com-mandriola-de-lisboa/ [alt] => [author] => 5 [description] => [caption] => [name] => receitas-de-natal-com-mandriola-de-lisboa [status] => inherit [uploaded_to] => 5211 [date] => 2024-12-09 18:44:11 [modified] => 2024-12-09 18:44:11 [menu_order] => 0 [mime_type] => image/png [type] => image [subtype] => png [icon] => https://mandrioladelisboa.pt/wp-includes/images/media/default.png [width] => 704 [height] => 467 [sizes] => Array ( ) ) [post_author] => Mandriola [article_text_1] =>Impress your guests with these 6 recipe ideas for Christmas Eve dinner, featuring appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Follow these tips!
It’s one of the most anticipated moments of the year: the family gathered around the table, Christmas lights decorating the room, and, of course, delicious food that makes this season even more special. To help you prepare your Christmas menu, we suggest 6 traditional recipes to pair with Mandriola wine. Shall we get started?
1. Octopus Salad
The official start of Christmas Eve 2024 is declared with this incredible octopus salad. Add this option to your appetizer menu because it’s simply irresistible.
Ingredients (for 4-6 people)
– 1,5 kg fresh or frozen octopus
– 1 medium onion (sliced)
– 2 bay leaves
– 1 red bell pepper (diced)
– 1 green bell pepper (diced)
– 1 red onion (finely chopped)
– 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
– 1 bunch of fresh parsley (chopped)
– Olive oil (to taste)
– Balsamic vinegar (to taste)
– Salt and black pepper (to taste)
– Black olives (for garnish)
– Lemon juice
Preparation:
1 – If the octopus is frozen, thaw it completely before starting.
2 – In a large pot, add the onion and bay leaves, and cook the octopus over medium heat until tender (about 40-50 minutes).
3 – Insert a fork into the thickest part of the tentacles to check for doneness. Once cooked, remove from the water, let it cool, and cut it into small pieces.
4 – In a large bowl, mix the octopus pieces with the diced bell peppers, chopped red onion, and garlic.
5 – Drizzle generously with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
6 – Add the chopped parsley and mix all the ingredients well.
7 – Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
8 – Before serving, garnish with olives and drizzle with lemon juice for an extra touch of freshness.
2. Camembert Puff Pastry with Honey and Walnuts
This Camembert puff pastry is crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. It perfectly balances the savory flavor of the pastry and cheese with the sweetness of the honey. The ideal appetizer for cheese lovers, especially when paired with a good glass of red wine.
Ingredients (for 4-6 people)
– 1 sheet of puff pastry
– 1 whole Camembert cheese
– 3 tablespoons of honey
– 1/2 cup of walnuts (roughly chopped)
– 1 egg (beaten, for brushing)
Preparation
1 – Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F).
2 – Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
3 – Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.
4 – Place the Camembert in the center and drizzle it with honey.
5 – Evenly spread the chopped walnuts over the honey.
6 – Completely wrap the cheese with the puff pastry.
7 – Brush the top of the puff pastry with the beaten egg and bake for 20 minutes or until the pastry is golden and crispy.
8 – Remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly for a few minutes.
9 – Before serving, drizzle with a little more honey and garnish with additional walnuts and fresh thyme sprigs.
10 – Serve the appetizer warm, accompanied by slices of fresh bread or crackers.
3. Codfish with All the Trimmings
Codfish is the star ingredient of the traditional Christmas Eve dinner. It can be prepared in many ways and pairs perfectly with Mandriola white wine. To surprise your guests at home, try this simple “Codfish with All the Trimmings” recipe.
Ingredients (for 4 people)
– 4 pieces of soaked salt cod
– 4 large potatoes, halved
– 1 large can of chickpeas
– 4 eggs
– 2 large carrots, sliced
– 2 onions
– 1 Portuguese cabbage (or substitute with kale)
– 4 cloves of garlic
– Olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Vinegar (optional)
– Olives (optional)
Preparation
1 – Peel the potatoes, carrots, onions, and garlic cloves. Slice the onion thinly and cut the garlic into slivers.
2 – Separate the Portuguese cabbage leaves (or kale) and cut them into large pieces. Set it aside.
3 – In a large pot with water and a pinch of salt, cook the codfish pieces for about 8-10 minutes. Carefully remove the codfish and set it aside.
4 – Boil the chickpeas, potatoes, and carrots until tender (about 15 to 20 minutes).
5 – When they are nearly done, add the cabbage and eggs. Cook until the cabbage is soft, and the eggs are hard-boiled (approximately 10 minutes).
6 – In a frying pan, heat a generous amount of olive oil over low heat. Add the onion slices and garlic slivers, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic turns golden—season with black pepper to taste.
7 – If you like, add a splash of vinegar to intensify the sauce’s flavor.
8 – On a serving platter, arrange the codfish pieces in the center. Surround them with chickpeas, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and peeled eggs.
9 – Drizzle with the aromatic olive oil and garnish with olives. Serve hot!
4. Traditional Roast Turkey
In some Portuguese homes, turkey replaces codfish during Christmas dinner. If that’s the case for you, try this delicious roast turkey recipe. It takes time to prepare, but the result is well worth it!
Ingredients (for 8-10 people)
– 1 whole turkey (4.5 kg)
– 4 cloves of garlic
– 2 large onions
– 2 bay leaves
– 1 bunch of fresh parsley and thyme
– 1 lemon (sliced)
– 1 orange (sliced)
– 200 g softened butter
– 1 cup dry white wine
– 1 cup fresh orange juice
– 1 small glass of Port wine
– Extra virgin olive oil (as needed)
– Salt and black pepper to taste
– 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
– Small potatoes for roasting
Preparation
1 – Remove any giblets from inside the turkey cavity and wash the turkey thoroughly, both inside and out.
2 – Crush the garlic cloves with a little salt until they form a paste.
3 – Add the softened butter, sweet paprika, and black pepper. Mix well until you get a smooth paste.
4 – Carefully loosen the turkey’s skin around the breast and thighs and spread the butter mixture between the skin and the meat.
5 – Massage the turkey to evenly distribute the butter inside. Spread any remaining butter over the exterior of the turkey.
6 – Place the lemon and orange slices, parsley, thyme, and bay leaves inside the cavity. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine to keep the stuffing in place and ensure even roasting.
7 – Put the turkey in a large roasting pan. Add the sliced onions and small potatoes around it.
8 – Pour the white wine, orange juice, and Port wine over the turkey. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour or, preferably, overnight. Turn the turkey in the marinade occasionally.
9 – Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Cover the turkey with aluminum foil and roast for 2 to 3 hours, depending on its size. Baste regularly with the juices from the roasting pan. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, remove the foil so the skin becomes golden and crispy.
10 – Check the internal temperature of the turkey with a meat thermometer — it should read 74°C (165°F) at the thickest part of the breast.
11 – Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving.
12 – Serve the sliced turkey with the roasted potatoes and onions, accompanied by a glass of Mandriola red wine. Enjoy!
5. French toast with red fruit syrup
This recipe combines the sweetness and comforting texture of French toast with the acidity and freshness of red berries. A traditional and very tasty dessert for Christmas dinner.
Ingredients (for 6-8 people)
For the French toast:
– 1 loaf of French toast
– 1 liter of milk
– 200 g sugar
– 1 cinnamon stick
– Peel of 1 lemon (only the yellow part)
– 4 eggs
– Powdered sugar and cinnamon (for sprinkling)
For the red fruit syrup:
– 300 g of red berries
– 100 g sugar
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Preparation
1 – In a saucepan, heat the milk with the sugar, cinnamon stick, and lemon peel until it boils. Then, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly.
2 – Cut the bread into thick slices (about 2 cm).
3 – Soak the slices in the flavored milk until they are well saturated. Remove from the milk and let the excess drain off.
4 – Dip the slices into a bowl with the previously beaten eggs.
5 – In a frying pan with oil, fry the bread over medium heat until the slices are golden on both sides. Remove and drain on paper towels.
6 – Sprinkle the French toast with cinnamon and powdered sugar.
7 – In a saucepan, place the red berries and sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the berries release their juice and the sauce thickens slightly (about 10 minutes).
8 – Remove from the heat and add the lemon juice, stirring well.
9 – Arrange the French toast on a serving plate and drizzle with the warm red berry sauce. Alternatively, serve the sauce on the side so everyone can add it to taste.
6. Chocolate Yule Log
A must-have dessert for any Christmas gathering. Take on the challenge in the kitchen and surprise your family with a homemade chocolate Yule log.
Ingredients (8-10 servings)
For the cake:
– 4 eggs
– 100g sugar
– 100g all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the filling and topping:
– 200g semi-dark chocolate
– 200ml whipping cream
– 2 tablespoons sugar
– Powdered sugar
Preparation
1 – Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a rectangular baking tray with parchment paper and grease it with butter.
2 – Beat the eggs with the sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and pale. Add the vanilla extract.
3 – Sift the flour and baking powder over the egg mixture and gently fold it in, being careful not to deflate the batter.
4 – Pour the batter into the prepared tray and spread it evenly. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cake is lightly golden and firm to the touch.
5 – Turn the hot cake out onto a kitchen towel dusted with sugar. Remove the parchment paper and roll the cake up with the towel. Allow it to cool completely.
6 – Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave. Whip the cream with the sugar until it forms firm peaks.
7 – Gradually add the melted chocolate to the whipped cream, folding gently after each addition to keep it light and airy.
8 – Unroll the cooled cake and spread a generous layer of the filling. Roll it up again to form the log shape.
9 – Spread the remaining filling over the cake to create a rustic, bark-like texture. Dust with powdered sugar for decoration.
Mandriola for Toasting at Christmas Dinner
Now that you have the best Christmas recipes at your fingertips, it’s time to head to the kitchen. Gather around the table with good company and delicious festive dishes, and toast to Christmas with Mandriola! Cheers!
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