It’s the end of the year and that means one thing, it’s Christmas. Good old December has come rushing in. For many, you ponder all year about Christmas. Can’t wait until it arrives. Well it’s here. The thing is, you forgot one thing, dinner. You’re still pooped out from Thanksgiving, not another feast you have to prepare. Just like Thanksgiving, Christmas deserves all the special fixings and more! Christmas is a time to prepare delicious meals that elicit excitement.

Think of your meals as presents. How grateful you’re to be alive. How grateful you’re to have food on your table. Put some extra love into your meals. While cooking, think of all the things you’re grateful for. Your passions and what makes you happy. 

I get it, you have a million things on your mind. The big game, presents, wrapping, decorating and sleep. With all this, you don’t have a clue on what to do for dinner. Should you go out, order takeout or throw something together? If staying in and enjoying a home cooked meal is your vibe, I am here to help. Even if you’re eating solo or entertaining guests, these 8 ideas will make your Christmas unforgettable. 

I start off listing seasons you can use with each meal idea. You can use them in other meals. There is a special note under the seasons to use.  Following the seasons to use are 8 dinner ideas you can whip together. You can mix and match them to your taste!  There are no rules. As a bonus, some ideas for appetizers and desserts! 

 I personally like to include a variety of choices for holiday meals. You will notice two meats, starches and vegetables for each idea. You can narrow it down or add, it’s up to you. I want your Christmas dinner to be one you will never forget.  Just a tip, if you’re trying to control your blood sugar, sprinkle some cinnamon on top of your food. 

So without further adieu, 8 dinner ideas that your fork has been waiting for! 

Seasons to use

1. Paprika
2. Cilantro (fresh or powder)
3. Adobo seasoning
4. Sazon
5. Ham seasoning
6. Chicken seasoning
7. Recaito
8. Sofrito
9. Thyme (fresh or powder)
10. Rosemary (fresh or powder)
11. Onion (fresh or powder) (Recommend Red/Spanish onion for extra flavor)
12. Pepper (green and yellow) (red if you like a little spice)
13. Celery  (fresh, chopped or powder)
14. Garlic (fresh, in the jar or powder)
15. Salt and pepper

Note: Use these seasons with all the meats, potatoes and string beans. Recommend using thyme and rosemary for chicken/turkey only.

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Dinner Idea #1 — A Roast To Remember 

• Roasted chicken – add a little lemon for some zest!
• Ham
• Herb roasted potatoes – use a little 100% virgin olive oil as a base 
• Stuffing
• Mashed yams– use cinnamon, adobo seasoning, vanilla extract, butter or margarine and 100% apple juice base
• Roasted string beans– use a little 100% virgin olive oil as a base
• Cranberry sauce or condiment of your choice
• Biscuits, dinner roll, corn bread or garlic bread, your choice!
• Dinner Idea #2 — The Extra Helping 
• Roasted Chicken or Turkey
• Macaroni & Cheese- use extra sharp cheese, elbow macaroni, egg, milk, and butter/margarine
• Spanish rice – use tomato paste, pigeon peas/beans, adobo seasoning, cubed ham/ ham seasoning, chicken seasoning,  sazon, garlic, onion, pepper, and recaito/sofrito 
• Corn on the Cobb – wrap with green pepper in aluminum foil for extra flavor
• Peas 
• Stuffing
• Cranberry sauce or condiment of your choice
• Biscuits, dinner roll, corn bread or garlic bread, your choice!

Dinner Idea #3 — So Much Flavor

• Grilled chicken 
• Turkey vegetable lasagna – use mozzarella/ parmesan/3 or 5 Italian cheese mix, tomato sauce, seasoning mix, zucchini, eggplant, broccoli, spinach, virgin olive oil, ground turkey and lasagna noodles 
• Toss salad — use romaine lettuce, feta cheese, sharp cheese, tabouli, rolled stuffed grape leaves, pepperoni, tomatoes, olives, and croutons
• Salad dressing -– use Caesar, blue cheese, ranch or Italian
• Garlic or Italian bread

Dinner Idea #4 — Gift of the sea

• Steak
• Baked tilapia/blue fish or flounder 
• Macaroni salad – use mayonnaise, mustard, chopped celery, adobo seasoning, elbow macaroni, black pepper, and hard boiled egg (make sure it’s chilled)
• Spanish rice – use tomato paste, pigeon peas/beans, adobo seasoning, cubed ham/ ham seasoning, chicken seasoning,  sazon, garlic, onion, pepper, and recaito/sofrito
• Collard or mustard greens – use onion, garlic, sazon, adobo seasoning, pinch of baking soda, chopped kielbasa and 100% virgin olive oil
• Coleslaw
• Cream corn 
• Tartar sauce
• Biscuits, dinner roll, corn bread or garlic bread, your choice!

Dinner Idea #5  —  You Had Me At Mash Potatoes

• Fried tilapia/blue fish or flounder —use canola/vegetable oil, flour, garlic and onion powder, pepper, adobo seasoning, sazon, paprika, and old bay seasoning
• Mash potatoes – use milk, butter, garlic and onion powder, sour cream, adobo seasoning, and chives
• Vegetable fried rice- use fried rice seasoning (find at WalMart), mix vegetables, water chestnuts, brown rice, and 100% virgin olive oil
• Cabbage-use onion, garlic, adobo seasoning, sazon, pinch of baking soda, chopped kielbasa and 100% virgin olive oil
• Roasted zucchini-use onion, garlic, sazon, adobo seasoning and 100% virgin olive oil
• Coleslaw 
• Tartar sauce
• Biscuits, dinner roll, corn bread or garlic bread, your choice!

Dinner Idea #6  — It’s All In The Alfredo

• Meatloaf – use ground beef/turkey/chicken, celery, adobo seasoning, sazon, bread, ketchup, and vinegar
• Chicken Alfredo-use linguine, spinach/broccoli, Alfredo sauce, garlic, grilled chicken, and adobo seasoning
• Sauteed spinach- use garlic, onion, adobo seasoning, sazon, and 100% virgin olive oil
• Toss salad- use romaine lettuce, tomato ,cucumber, croutons, red onion, olives, banana peppers, mixed nuts, sharp cheese, feta cheese, parmesan cheese (not grated), and raisins
• Sweet potatoes- use cinnamon, adobo seasoning, vanilla extract, butter or margarine and 100% apple juice base
• Salad dressing – use Greek vinaigrette, Italian, ranch, Caesar, and blue cheese
• Dinner roll, Italian or garlic bread, your choice!

Dinner idea # 7 – Veggie Assault 

• Vegetable stew  – use potato chunks, thyme, rosemary,  parsley, onion, garlic celery, adobo seasoning, sazon, carrots and stock 
• Rice or Pasta of your choice- drizzle a little olive oil
• Mashed yams– use cinnamon, adobo seasoning, vanilla extract, butter or margarine and 100% apple juice base
• Dinner roll, corn bread, Italian or garlic bread, your choice!

Dinner idea # 8 — Delight at Each Chop

• Pork chops 
• Roasted turkey
• Potato salad – use mayonnaise, mustard, relish, adobo seasoning, black pepper, and hard-boiled egg (make sure it’s chilled)
• Macaroni & Cheese – use extra sharp cheese, elbow macaroni, egg, milk, and butter/margarine
• Steamed broccoli – use adobo seasoning, sazon, garlic, onion, pepper and butter or margarine
• Corn medley – use adobo seasoning, green pepper, sazon, garlic, onion, pepper and butter or margarine
• Sweet potatoes- use cinnamon, adobo seasoning, vanilla extract, butter or margarine and 100% apple juice base
• Dinner roll, corn bread, Italian or garlic bread, your choice!

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Appetizers

1. Assorted chopped fruit
2. Mix nuts
3. Wings
4. Potato skins
5. Mozzarella sticks
6. Lunch meat – use pepperoni, salami, turkey, and liverwurst 
7. Pigs in the blanket
8. Chopped cheese – sharp, American, provolone and feta cheese 
9. Cherry tomatoes
10. Cranberries/raisins
11. Olives
12. Crackers
13. Popcorn, pretzels, chips
14. Potato chip dip

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 Desserts

Note: use whip cream, vanilla/ chocolate ice cream, or a glass of milk as an added treat with these desserts!

1. Apple, sweet potato, pumpkin or chocolate pudding pie 
2. Vanilla, chocolate or carrot cake
3. Vanilla, chocolate or lemon bunt cake 
4. Rice Krispies treats
5. Vanilla, chocolate or carrot cupcakes
6. Brownies 
7. Raspberry thumbprint, chocolate or oatmeal raisin cookies
8. Chopped assorted fruit
9. Orange cranberry, chocolate chip, blueberry, carrot, cinnamon and banana nut muffins
10. Raspberry roll
11. Cinnamon buns
12. Banana or cranberry bread
13. Peach cobbler 
14. Jello mold 
15. Chocolate pudding 
16. Raspberry sorbet

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Conclusion

If your mouth isn’t watering by the end of this, I would go back and read again. Cooking every Christmas has been an absolute delight. Every year I try to plan something different. These are some of my favorite meals. I now pass them along to you and hope you enjoy each of them! They have been an absolute hit every time. Along with jazzing up my dinner with exciting decor, it just sets you in such a joyous mood. I don’t know about you, but I just love cooking. It’s relaxing and just sparks creativity. Also, a lot of heavy reflection. Lot to be grateful for.

You can give these ideas a try during other holidays as well! When it comes to food, there are no rules. As a bargain hunter, I sometimes base my meals around what is on sale at that time of the year. When it comes to Christmas, it is generally turkey, chicken, ham or other meats. I generally check the sale fliers every week (a few months before Christmas) for items on sale. So, I would encourage you to plan your Christmas dinner before Thanksgiving. You can even start planning at the start of the year! That way, you can stock up on items when they’re on sale. Of course, you have to think of space in the freezer and expiration dates. I think you get the idea. Just want you to have an amazing meal without breaking the bank. By planning ahead and stocking up when items are on sale, you are on your way!

Merry Christmas!

Do you have any dinner ideas you would like to share? What are some of your favorite Christmas foods? Any Christmas dinner memories you would like to share? Let me know in the comments below.