The holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness, and of course, delicious food. This year, why not infuse your Christmas celebration with the vibrant flavors and health benefits of the Mediterranean? Embrace the "season's eatings" with a Greek twist, featuring dishes drizzled with olive oil, sweetened with honey, and infused with warm spices. Here's a curated collection of Mediterranean Christmas recipes, perfect for creating a memorable and healthy holiday feast.
Appetizers: A Taste of the Mediterranean
Begin your Christmas dinner with a selection of flavorful appetizers that capture the essence of the Mediterranean.
Figs in a Blanket: A Sophisticated Twist
Who needs traditional pigs in a blanket when you can enjoy figs in a blanket? This festive dish is perfect for welcoming guests. This recipe is inspired by an old Macedonian dish. The beauty of this dish lies in its simple elegance.
Spanakopita Triangles: Flaky and Flavorful
Flaky and filled with a delicious spinach and feta mixture, these pastries are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The basic filling for spanakopita has countless variations and uses, making it a timeless and versatile preparation.
Dolmades: Stuffed Grape Leaves
Dolmades, made with grape leaves stuffed with rice, herbs, and sometimes a hint of ground meat, are a classic Mediterranean appetizer.
Read also: A Review of the Mediterranean Diet in Kidney Disease
Tyropita: Creamy and Crispy Cheese Pie
No Mediterranean or Greek feast is complete without a creamy, crispy tyropita, also known as cheese pie!
Endive Salad with Greek Honey Vinegar and EVOO: A Refreshing Start
Refresh your Christmas dinner with a vibrant endive salad, featuring a perfect balance of bitter greens and sweet apples. The Aegina pistachios and olive oil from Crete give this Greek recipe a super healthy Mediterranean aura! This salad is almost refreshing enough to be a palate cleanser, providing a delightful contrast to richer dishes.
Citrus Salad with Arugula and Pomegranate: A Burst of Freshness
Brighten up your table with a vibrant citrus salad featuring oranges, grapefruit, pomegranate seeds, and peppery arugula.
Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts: Festive and Flavorful
The combination of earthy roasted beets, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy walnuts creates a festive salad that’s as tasty as it is beautiful.
Soups: Warm and Comforting Beginnings
Chestnut Soup: A Chic and Cheap Delight
Chestnut trees are abundant in Greece, and chestnuts have long been an important food, both festive and basic. The smell of chestnuts roasting on street carts permeates Greek city streets. Chestnuts are used in holiday bird stuffing and tossed into rich pork and wild boar stews, and they make for satisfying and special desserts. This simple soup is a chic but cheap approach to the festive table. You can switch out the pork for grilled mushrooms to make it totally vegan or vegetarian, and you can spruce it up with a drizzling of truffle oil to give it some holiday flair.
Read also: Delicious Mediterranean Recipes
Side Dishes: Complements to the Main Course
Complete your Mediterranean Christmas dinner with a variety of delicious side dishes that highlight the region’s rich flavors.
Lemony Roasted Potatoes: A Mediterranean Staple
Roasted with fresh lemon juice, rosemary, and garlic, these potatoes are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Serve herb-infused potatoes or grilled mushrooms for a rustic touch that pairs beautifully with any main course.
Braised Chestnuts and Shallots: A Vegan-Friendly Delight
Elevate your Christmas dinner with this vegan-friendly stifado-inspired dish. Impress your guests with this easy yet elegant Christmas side dish.
Greek Salad with Persimmons: A Nutritional Powerhouse
Greek salads are powerhouses of nutrition, and this one is no different. Take the addition of persimmons, one of the most delicious winter fruits and common in Greece, where it is known as “lotos.” It is packed with vitamins A and C, a whole rainbow of phytonutrients, fiber, copper and phosphorus.
Main Courses: A Mediterranean Feast
Roast Lamb with Garlic and Rosemary: A Classic Choice
A classic Mediterranean dish, roast lamb is seasoned with garlic, rosemary, and olive oil.
Read also: Mediterranean Diet, Instant Pot Style
Pork Loin with Orange Spoon Sweets: A Festive Delight
In this Greek recipe for pork loin, an array of unusual Greek ingredients are used: orange spoon sweets, which go into the topping and sauce and add a very festive allure to this easy, delicious holiday pork dish, as well as Greek balsamic or petimezi and an aromatic honey vinegar which is one of your favorite Greek artisan products. The combination of meats with nuts and dried fruits is a favorite in the contemporary Greek kitchen. This dish goes well with a glass of Northern Greek Xinomavro red wine.
Pork with Leeks: A Northern Greek Classic
This is a northern-Greek-pan dish, one of the all time classics and favorites on the Sunday and festive table. In Naoussa, the addition of tomatoes to the dish distinguishes it from other versions around the region. Locals say the best cut for this is pork collar.
Roasted Pork on the Bone: A Holiday Delight
Crackling roasted pork, whole on the bone, is one of the delights of the holidays. This is a great dish for the winter holidays.
Turkey Thighs with Chestnut Stuffing: A Hassle-Free Option
Turkey, usually stuffed with a rich rice-raisin-chestnut stuffing is one of the most traditional Greek festive main courses. But you can enjoy the bird with much less hassle by just roasting those meaty, juicy turkey thighs. Here’s a favorite recipe for all your festive occasions!
Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Spinach and Feta: A Moist and Flavorful Dish
Chicken breasts stuffed with a mixture of spinach, feta cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes make for a delicious and moist main dish.
Vegetarian Delights: Meatless Mediterranean Options
Whether you’re catering to vegetarians or simply looking for delicious meatless dishes, these Mediterranean-inspired recipes will not disappoint.
Red Onion-Petimezi Tart Tatin: A Greek-Inspired Twist
Elevate your Christmas dinner with this stunning vegetarian Red Onion-Petimezi Tart Tatin, a Greek-inspired twist on the classic French dish.
Chickpea Stew with Spinach: A Hearty and Flavorful Dish
Warm up with a hearty chickpea stew that’s packed with spinach, aromatic spices and olive oil.
Vegetarian Moussaka: A Classic Reimagined
For a meatless main course, try a vegetarian moussaka.
Baked Feta with Cherry Tomatoes: A Viral Sensation
This viral dish is a snap to make and features baked feta cheese with cherry tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil.
Crispy Roasted Chickpeas: A Great Snack or Side Dish
Crispy roasted chickpeas make for a great snack or side dish.
Greek Pies (Pites): A Traditional Delight
No Greek Christmas is complete without traditional Greek pies. They are great for any time of the day and you can make them ahead, plus they are best when served at room temperature.
Spanakopita: Spinach Pie
Known for its beautiful pleated appearance, this pie combines crumbled feta cheese with crispy phyllo layers, creating a light and flavorful dish.
Galaktoboureko: Semolina Custard Pie
A sweet pie made with semolina custard wrapped in phyllo dough, dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon.
Kreatopita: Meat Pie
A hearty pie filled with seasoned ground meat and herbs, baked inside a flaky phyllo crust.
Christmas Cookies: Sweet Traditions
Kourabiedes: Melt-in-Your-Mouth Butter Cookies
Kourabiedes are melt-in-your-mouth Greek Christmas cookies that embody the spirit of the holidays. Made with butter, toasted almonds, and a generous dusting of powdered sugar, these cookies are a staple in every Greek home during Christmas. Their rich, buttery flavor and crumbly texture make them irresistible. In Greek, they are called Kourabiedes: These snowy white, insanely delicious cookies are quick and easy to bake up and their taste will stick with you forever. My children love to dust iced sugar on them (along with the table and kitchen floor) and my favorite moment is eating them hot when they come out of the oven.
Melomakarona: Honey-Dipped Cookies
Made with honey, orange zest, and walnuts, Melomakarona are soft, fragrant, and absolutely delicious. Instructions: Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine to form a dough. Shape into oval cookies, bake until golden, and dip in a honey syrup. Honey Cookies aka Melomakarona : A healthier version of butter cookies. Dairy and egg-free cookies. Only honey, walnuts, and olive oil (the sugar can be replaced by the natural sweetener if desired) for those goodies. Don't underestimate them. They will amaze you with their flavor complexity. These cookies are bathed in honey syrup resulting in soft, delightfully melting-in-your-mouth cookies. Impossible to eat only one.
Olive Oil Christmas Cookies: A Healthy Twist
Great olive oil is what makes these classic Greek holiday cookies so healthy and delicious.
Xerotigana (Diples): Fried Pastry Strips
Elsewhere in Greece, these delicate fried pastry strips are called diples (THEE-pless). They are called xerotigana on Ikaria and memories of dad, making these every Christmas are vivid. There used to be mounds of them layered precariously on platters and they’d disappear in the course of just a day or two.
Desserts: A Sweet Ending
Baklava: A Timeless Classic
Timeless. That’s the only way to describe a perfect baklava. Layers of crispy phyllo dough filled with a spiced nut mixture and drenched in honey syrup. Try using real Greek pistachios and honey in this classic.
Karydopita: Greek Walnut Cake
Indulge in this moist and aromatic Greek walnut cake, infused with warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. Soaked in a luscious syrup, this dessert is perfect for holiday gatherings, offering a delightful balance of sweetness and nutty flavor that will impress your guests.
Vasilopita: New Year's Cake
Last but not least in this year’s collection of holiday recipes is Vasilopita cake. It’s rich. It’s got chocolate. It’s got nuts. And, most of all, it’s got a coin tucked and baked inside.
Kataifi with Persimmon and Walnuts: A Creative Delight
Get creative with kataifi! Fill it with a luscious mix of persimmon flesh, walnuts, ginger, cinnamon, and a pinch of black pepper. Serve it with a glass of delicious Greek dessert wine, the liatiko from Monemvassia.
Drinks: Toasts to the Season
Wine Cocktail with a Greek Twist: A Refreshing Choice
Wine is the de facto way people on Ikaria relax, always drinking in moderation and in the company of friends, but also, often, watering down their wine lest it adversely goes to their heads! Taking a cue from this ancient habit, this wine cocktail is also a mixture of, well, wine and water.
Tsipouro Cocktail: A Unique Flavor
Want a great cocktail with a Greek twist? Tsipouro is distilled a number of times in order to enrich its flavor. If you do not like the strong smell and flavor of anise seed -that gives tsipouro a unique, rooty flavor- you have the option to find tsipouro without it, which in fact is considered the original tsipouro.
Other Mediterranean Inspired Dishes
Beef Stew with Red Wine and Cinnamon: A Warm and Aromatic Delight
As winter evenings draw in, nothing beats a warm stew or braise. This hearty beef stew, slow-cooked with red wine, onions, and a hint of cinnamon, delivers a warm and aromatic flavor perfect for Christmas.
Pork Braised in White Wine and Leeks: Flavors of Northern Greece
Experience the flavors of Northern Greece with this tender pork braised in white wine and leeks.
Giant Beans Baked with Honey and Herbs: A Sweet and Savory Casserole
This comforting casserole features creamy giant beans baked with honey and fresh herbs, offering a sweet and savory flavor profile.
Shrimp Saganaki Risotto: A Creamy and Flavorful Fusion
Risotto is a luxurious and creamy dish that can impress your holiday guests. This innovative risotto combines the classic flavors of shrimp saganaki with creamy arborio rice. Cooked with shrimp, feta, and a hint of ouzo, this dish is both comforting and full of Greek flair.
Sausage and Mushroom Risotto: A Quick and Easy Meal
This quick and easy risotto features savory sausage and earthy mushrooms, making it a perfect mid-week meal. It’s rich in flavor and can be prepared in about 50 minutes.
Seafood Orzotto: A Delightful Twist
A delightful twist on traditional risotto, this dish uses orzo pasta and is infused with the flavors of fresh seafood, saffron, and a touch of white wine.
Summer Fruit Baklava: A Celebration of Summer
This is a celebration of beautiful summer fruit done baklava style. You can serve them up individually or just plonk them in the middle of the table.
Chicken with Peas: A Shared Meal Favorite
This is one of favorite ways to each chicken. They get a high rotation whenever I’m doing a shared meal and often the thing that people are blown away by are these peas.
Herb Salad: Simple Perfection
This salad is all about the texture and balance of herbs, lemon, salt. It’s such a simple salad but with bit of technique it’s really exceptional and every time I’ve made it for people they ask what’s in it. Perfectly paired with some rich meats as the acidity cuts through the fattiness perfectly.
Mediterranean Christmas Brunch: A Laid-Back Celebration
Christmas morning comes with all sorts of traditions. For some, it can include an early morning church service with everyone dressed up in festive garb; a quiet hike in the nearby park; a pajama party by the Christmas tree; or a large gathering of family and friends (in a normal year, that is). Christmas brunch is one of the traditions to hold on to whether there are a dozen people or just the four of us around the table.
Tips for a Festive and Laid-Back Brunch
- Make ahead as much as you can! Many of the recipes below can be made a day or two ahead of time.
- Avoid made-to-order options like omelettes that need to be made immediately before eating. Eggs are expected at almost every brunch, but aim for an egg casserole you can assemble earlier and pop in the oven while guests are enjoying appetizers.
- For a festive spread, aim for a variety of colors and flavors. Try and have a mix of salty, sweet, savory, spicy, hot, and cold plates to mix up the flavors for a fabulous Christmas brunch menu.
- Set-up a simple drinks station. Keep drinks simple. No fussy cocktails, just a couple pitchers of mimosas (champagne and orange juice). A few wine bottles with glasses set out for people to serve themselves. And a hot coffee pot.
Planning a Mediterranean themed menu will vary by region, but will typically include a variety of vegetarian and small bites of meat or fish, making it perfect for guests of all diets.
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