Starters & Sides
Elegant Pear Salad
Want to impress your friends and family with a sophisticated appetizer at your holiday party? This elevated pear salad, bathed in champagne and topped with toasted walnuts and crème fraîche, will be a delicious surprise for your guests. This recipe brings a new twist to a nostalgic favorite.
Lunchroom Lady Rolls
Soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet, this soft bread rolls recipe is reminiscent of the ones served in school cafeterias, lovingly made from scratch. Every good Southerner knows that any holiday or group gathering isn’t complete without some dinner rolls, and these do the job wonderfully! We recommend pairing them with Trace’s apple butter.
Holiday Sweet Potato Casserole
This classic and versatile casserole can double as a side or dessert and will surely bring comfort and joy to your plate. Creamy, rich sweet potatoes meet a crisp pecan and fluffy marshmallow topping, giving your guests the best of both worlds! We polled our audience about which style of casserole they prefer, and the combo that Trace made won!
Mains
Fried Chicken Dressing
A southern classic with crumbled cornbread that’s combined with a savory mixture of ingredients such as sautéed onions, celery, broth, and various seasonings. Poultry seasoning, sage, and sometimes even hard-boiled eggs contribute to the distinctive flavor profile. Made in a cast iron skillet, like some of our previous recipes (check out our cast iron maintenance 101 video), this dressing will be a knockout at Christmas dinner!
Herb-Crusted Beef Tenderloin with Red Wine Reduction
Tender, juicy, and packed with flavor from a crust of fresh herbs and garlic, this tenderloin is the perfect main attraction at a holiday dinner or gathering! Show off your skills with a red wine reduction that’s rich, velvety, and elegant.
Vegetarian Wellington with Balsamic Glaze
This vegetable Wellington is a stunning combination of flavors and textures. At its heart lies a vibrant array of roasted root vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes, which are seasoned and caramelized to perfection. Surrounding the vegetables is a rich mushroom duxelles—a finely chopped mixture of mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and herbs that adds earthy depth.
Sweet Tea Turkey with Molasses Glaze
A perfectly Southern turkey recipe with a sweet tea and bourbon brine that gives the turkey a delightful caramel color. A sticky, sweet molasses glaze really makes this turkey the star of any holiday table.
Chicken Dumpling Pot Pie with Buttermilk Cathead Biscuit Crust
Picture tender strips of chicken nestled among plump dumplings, all swimming in a savory broth that’s been lovingly seasoned to perfection. Topping it all off are heavenly cathead biscuits, golden-brown and slightly crispy on the outside, yet soft and pillowy on the inside. You can elevate this filling dish by substituting the chicken for pheasant or quail, and we’re confident your whole crew will be stuffed and satisfied!
Desserts
Old-Fashioned Southern Pecan Pie
This classic Southern dessert is quintessential for the holidays! With a homemade, flaky crust (or store-bought is fine), and syrupy sweet filling, this pie tastes like it came straight from your grandmother’s handwritten recipe box.
Southern Fried Apple Hand Pies
These hand-held delights feature buttery, flaky dough, fried to a golden crisp, and oozing with sweet fruit or whatever you can dream up. Wrap them in parchment for the cutest Christmas party favors!
Peach and Blueberry Cobbler
A golden, buttery “cup cobbler” made the old-fashioned Southern way—equal parts simplicity and soul. Fresh peaches, plump blueberries, and that tender, caramelized crust baked right in a cast iron skillet? Try substituting the blueberries and peaches with whatever fruits you can find that are in season!
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