Yahoo Finance Try these 5 twists on classic holiday recipes
Whether you’re decorating the tree or baking up a storm, Christmas is a perfect time to kick back and relax with those closest to you. From fun activities to how to keep your home germ-free, Canadian Tire and Yahoo are bringing you everything you need to make this holiday season special.
Christmas and traditions seem to go hand in hand. It just wouldn’t be the most magical time of year without decorating the tree as a family, opening presents together or having that first sip of grandma’s amazing eggnog on Christmas eve.
And while those warm and fuzzy traditions make the holidays what it is, there’s something extra special about cooking and eating together as a family. Recipes passed down should certainly be cherished, but occasionally, you may want to shake things up.
Now is as good a time as any to start new traditions and that includes introducing new ingredients and spices to your Christmastime favourites. Check out some of our favourite twists on classic festive fare, below.
Barbecue Spice–Brined Grilled Turkey
A traditional turkey is a classic Christmas meal -- but it can feel a tad boring, especially since Thanksgiving was only a couple months ago. Give your holiday dinner an unexpected twist with a turkey recipe that’s sure to surprise everyone’s taste buds. Instead of rosemary and thyme, this recipe for Barbecue Spice–Brined Grilled Turkey calls for some unexpected spices and a chance to use the barbeque in the middle of winter.
Smoked paprika, cumin, mustard powder and cayenne will give the turkey a bold flavour that pairs perfectly with the charcoal flavour that only barbequing lends. Brining your turkey adds loads of moisture so don’t skip this step no matter how hungry you are.
Crispy Potato Roast
It just wouldn’t feel like Christmas without the presence of a potato dish at your holiday feast. It This year, give your classic roasted potato recipe a rest and try this tasty (and visually appealing) dish, like this Crispy Potato Roast. This unique recipe requires a mandoline to cut your potatoes, and a simple device like the Starfrit All-In-One Mandoline will do just the trick. Arrange the potatoes vertically in a roomie air fryer like the Ninja Dual Zone Air Fryer and wedge shallots throughout. For extra richness, brush the potatoes with a coat of oil and butter.
Thai Curried Pumpkin Soup
Step up your holiday starter game with a twist on a winter favourite. A traditional squash soup will always have a place at Christmas dinner, but if you’re looking to level up, we have the recipe for you. A Thai Curried Pumpkin Soup is both vegan and gluten-free with a generous helping of red curry paste and rich frothy coconut milk.
Once you've sauteed your aromatics and added the pumpkin, coconut milk and spices, puree everything together with a hand blender. The Cuisinart Cordless Hand Blender is an excellent tool for the job and will seamlessly meld all those robust flavours together.
Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing
Due to its undeniable presence, the turkey usually becomes the centrepiece of a holiday dinner. However, those who know what’s what are aware that the true pièce de résistance is the stuffing. A truly remarkable stuffing recipe is passed down from generation to generation. Who passes a turkey recipe down? We rest our case.
If you’re the first in the family to add stuffing to your holiday dinner, consider trying something out of the box. A Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing is a far cry from the traditional but it’s packed with spicy, smoky flavours thanks to its star ingredients: jalapeno cornbread and crumbled chorizo. The Paderno Signature Baking Dish is the perfect vessel to bake it in and attractive enough to use as a serving dish. Ceramic dishes are preferred by professionals because they offer even heat distribution so your baked dishes cook perfectly throughout.
Pear Ginger Pie
Nothing speaks to the holiday season more than a flakey buttery apple pie. However, this is no ordinary year and for that reason, we’re offering up a non-traditional pie recipe. A Pear-Ginger Pie still maintains the familiar texture of an apple pie but offers a unique flavour combination that will please anyone’s palette.
New bakers often have trouble with pastry dough because it can be hard to cut in cold butter without letting it get too warm. A great way to blend it together quickly is by using a food processor. We recommend the KitchenAid 9-Cup Food Processor if you want a super easy clean up and set up.
