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When it comes to a formal Christmas dinner what should be included depends more on your family traditions than anything else.  While some families prefer to focus on family together time and skip a five course formal meal, other traditions might include a brunch on the balcony or a buffet style open house where everyone is welcome.  No matter what you are planning for Christmas Day Dinner this year, we have the recipes you need to please every palette and fill every plate.  Here are some examples of creative Christmas Day Dinner fare featuring Fill Your Plate recipes.

Formal

Your main course may feature a Christmas Ham, Prime Rib, or even Turkey.  For sides, serving dishes like Balsamic Green Beans with Pine Nuts, Basil Butter Sweet Potato Patties, Roasted Red Potatoes and Asparagus, Twice Baked Potato Casserole, and Fennel Spinach Pasta ensures there will be something that everyone will love.  Complete your formal dinner with a decadent dessert like Applesauce Bread Pudding,  Christmas Pie, and Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cake.

Open House

If your Christmas dinner this year will be more drop by than sit down, create a wonderful buffet of delicious finger foods that are perfect for the holiday season.  You can include appetizer dishes like Apricot Appetizers, Garlic Cheese Fingers, Baked Goat Cheese with Shrimp and Basil, and Green Chili Wontons.  Augment the appetizers with an array of chips and dips including Artichoke Dip, Corn and Black Bean Salsa, Jalapeno Pepper Dip, and Sweet Zucchini Relish.  Have a variety of drinks on hand including Egg Nog, Hot Chocolate, and Coffee for your guests to enjoy.

Brunch

If this year’s Christmas Day meal will come earlier in the day, choose a selection of breakfast foods that will please any palette.  Arizona Quiche and Boss’s Baked French Toast are a great way to start off any Christmas Day festivities.  If you are planning a brunch that is more on the formal side, serving Elegant Eggs Sardou, and German Apple Pancakes will have everyone raving about your wonderful brunch spread.  If your goal is to do as little work as possible on Christmas morning, making Overnight French Toast and Yummy Nutmeg Donuts may be just what you need to fill everyone up without filling up your morning.

Something Different

If you are looking for something a little different for this year’s Christmas Day dinner, why not focus on the flavors of the Southwest and serve up a spicy meal of delicious dishes.  Start with chips and Cantaloupe Basil Salsa, Chicken Enchilada Dip and homemade guacamole.  For your first course, offer Avocado and Tomato Salad and Mexican Style Pozole.  Your main course could include Smothered Burritos, Chicken with Cheese and Chilies with Calabacitas and Mexican Summer Squash.  For dessert, give your guests a choice of Arizona Melon Dessert, Prickly Pear Cheesecake, or Red Hot Stuffed Apples.

Related articles

• 5 Tips to Make Holiday Cooking Easier (fillyourplate.org)
• Holiday Dining on a Dime (fillyourplate.org)
• 7 Savory Ways to Use Sweet Potatoes (fillyourplate.org)