Christmas Menus from around the World

This year, celebrate Christmas with holiday food from around the world. Plan a festive, multi-course menu featuring the delicacies of Puerto Rico, Sweden, Germany, and more.

Brined and Roasted Turkey — Brining turkeys has become de rigueur in many American households.

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-09125-06_slicing_cabbage_250.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2013images2009-12126-blooody-martini-400.jpg — Puréed tomatoes, pepper-flavored vodka, and a pimento-stuffed green olive make the perfect hybrid of two bar staples, the Bloody Mary and classic martini.

New York Cocktail — This drink is one of our favorites to make with Rittenhouse rye whiskey.

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-12125-80_suffering_bastard_250.jpg — According to the Trader Vic's drinks menu, the recipe for this cocktail, with its name evocative of morning-after woes, comes from Sheppard's Hotel in Cairo. See the recipe for Suffering Bastard »

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-02626-25_braised_lamb_shanks_300.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2013images2013-027-Sav154-Article-Fruit-Forward-500×750.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2011images2011-107-SAV142-SweetPotato01-400×600.jpg — Speckled purple sweet potatoes are named for their flecked magenta flesh. They remain firm when boiled or fried and have a mild, nutty flavor.

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-10626-26_atomic_muffins_300.jpg — See the Recipe

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2009images2009-01626-72_sazerac_300.jpg

Corned Beef and Cabbage — The recipe for this traditional Irish dish calls for brining beef brisket for 5 days to "corn" it. If you want to omit this step, buy 5 lbs. of corned beef from your butcher and proceed to step two.

Elena Ruz — Commonly served during merienda (afternoon tea) in Cuba, this sandwich of turkey, jam, and cream cheese on a roll is sweet and savory all in one. Try substituting leftover cranberry sauce for the strawberry jam.

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2009images2009-03626-119_web_manhattan_noonday_300.jpg

Turkey Breast Roulade with Chestnut Stuffing — This rolled turkey breast cooks in about an hour, making it perfect for last minute Thanksgiving get-togethers. The delicately-flavored chestnut stuffing keeps the white meat moist, while reduced chicken stock adds rich flavor to the quick gravy.

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2012images2012-067-lauralocher_amsterdam_650.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-10626-62_mulled_apple_cider_300.jpg — Steeped in cinnamon and cloves, this nonalcoholic potion lends a warm, fragrant note to chilly nights.

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2011images2011-087-honey_jeffkubina_400.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-1206_Using-Chinese-Cabbage_4.jpg — COOKING: Heat the wok and place the heart of the cabbage, the densest part, in the center, the hottest spot, so that it will cook at the same rate as the delicate tops, which rest on the cooler upper sides of the wok.

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2012images2012-097-Katie_Workman_School_Lunch_700x525.jpeg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2013images2007-10125-Horchatas.jpg — Horchata, a cool, creamy drink popular across Latin America, is frequently made from ground almonds and rice. This decadent adaptation, spiked with cinnamon and dark chocolate, tastes rich and nutty and makes a delightful liquid dessert.

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2009images2009-06626-121_cuke_cooler_300.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2013images2007-02125-23_Glogg_250.jpg — This traditional Swedish Christmas punch--spiked with red wine, port, and vodka--is not for the faint of heart. Our version, from noted chef Marcus Samuelsson, was inspired by his memories of the glogg his grandmother made in her kitchen in Goteberg, Sweden. See the recipe for Glogg »

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-05125-32_Mojito_250.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-02125-34_Manhattan_250.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-02125-34_Old_Fashioned_250.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2014images2007-02125-34_Mint_Julep_250.jpg — Most Kentuckians insist on serving this drink in sterling silver julep cups, and always with well-crushed ice. See the recipe for Mint Julep »

sweet tea recipe, sweet tea, iced tea — Throughout the South, sweet tea is nothing to be taken lightly—most families have a preferred recipe, this is ours.

Martinez — In the 1880s, Old Tom gin, a style with quite a bit more sweetness than London dry, was just beginning to gain popularity in America. This is the drink that put it over the top.

Original Dry Martini — A London dry gin can stand up to a lot more vermouth than you might suspect. The original 1910s-era formula for this iconic drink demonstrates that fact elegantly.

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2013images2007-01125-03_Glogg_250.jpg — This lighter (but still deceptively powerful) version of traditional Swedish mulled wine is made with brandy and whiskey, then steeped with spices, almonds and raisins. See the recipe for Magnus Dahl's Glogg »

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-02125-13_Daiquiri_250.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-02125-13_Mai_Tai_250.jpg

Moroccan Mint Tea — North African-style sweet tea braced with fresh mint is both soothing and stimulating.

Tante Marie Fizz — Since Whitley Neill gin gets its signature tanginess in part from the fruit of the African baobab tree, this sweet, sour, and spicy apéritif takes its name from a song by Senegal’s legendary Orchestra Baobab.

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-09634-sunny_side_1_480.jpg — 1. Crack 1 egg into a small bowl.

Christmas Menus from around the World

This year, celebrate Christmas with holiday food from around the world. Plan a festive, multi-course menu featuring the delicacies of Puerto Rico, Sweden, Germany, and more.

Brined and Roasted Turkey — Brining turkeys has become de rigueur in many American households.

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-09125-06_slicing_cabbage_250.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2013images2009-12126-blooody-martini-400.jpg — Puréed tomatoes, pepper-flavored vodka, and a pimento-stuffed green olive make the perfect hybrid of two bar staples, the Bloody Mary and classic martini.

New York Cocktail — This drink is one of our favorites to make with Rittenhouse rye whiskey.

ADVERTISEMENTAD

AD

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-12125-80_suffering_bastard_250.jpg — According to the Trader Vic's drinks menu, the recipe for this cocktail, with its name evocative of morning-after woes, comes from Sheppard's Hotel in Cairo. See the recipe for Suffering Bastard »

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-02626-25_braised_lamb_shanks_300.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2013images2013-027-Sav154-Article-Fruit-Forward-500×750.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2011images2011-107-SAV142-SweetPotato01-400×600.jpg — Speckled purple sweet potatoes are named for their flecked magenta flesh. They remain firm when boiled or fried and have a mild, nutty flavor.

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-10626-26_atomic_muffins_300.jpg — See the Recipe

ADVERTISEMENTAD

AD

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2009images2009-01626-72_sazerac_300.jpg

Corned Beef and Cabbage — The recipe for this traditional Irish dish calls for brining beef brisket for 5 days to "corn" it. If you want to omit this step, buy 5 lbs. of corned beef from your butcher and proceed to step two.

Elena Ruz — Commonly served during merienda (afternoon tea) in Cuba, this sandwich of turkey, jam, and cream cheese on a roll is sweet and savory all in one. Try substituting leftover cranberry sauce for the strawberry jam.

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2009images2009-03626-119_web_manhattan_noonday_300.jpg

Turkey Breast Roulade with Chestnut Stuffing — This rolled turkey breast cooks in about an hour, making it perfect for last minute Thanksgiving get-togethers. The delicately-flavored chestnut stuffing keeps the white meat moist, while reduced chicken stock adds rich flavor to the quick gravy.

ADVERTISEMENTAD

AD

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2012images2012-067-lauralocher_amsterdam_650.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-10626-62_mulled_apple_cider_300.jpg — Steeped in cinnamon and cloves, this nonalcoholic potion lends a warm, fragrant note to chilly nights.

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2011images2011-087-honey_jeffkubina_400.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-1206_Using-Chinese-Cabbage_4.jpg — COOKING: Heat the wok and place the heart of the cabbage, the densest part, in the center, the hottest spot, so that it will cook at the same rate as the delicate tops, which rest on the cooler upper sides of the wok.

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2012images2012-097-Katie_Workman_School_Lunch_700x525.jpeg

ADVERTISEMENTAD

AD

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2013images2007-10125-Horchatas.jpg — Horchata, a cool, creamy drink popular across Latin America, is frequently made from ground almonds and rice. This decadent adaptation, spiked with cinnamon and dark chocolate, tastes rich and nutty and makes a delightful liquid dessert.

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2009images2009-06626-121_cuke_cooler_300.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2013images2007-02125-23_Glogg_250.jpg — This traditional Swedish Christmas punch--spiked with red wine, port, and vodka--is not for the faint of heart. Our version, from noted chef Marcus Samuelsson, was inspired by his memories of the glogg his grandmother made in her kitchen in Goteberg, Sweden. See the recipe for Glogg »

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-05125-32_Mojito_250.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-02125-34_Manhattan_250.jpg

ADVERTISEMENTAD

AD

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-02125-34_Old_Fashioned_250.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2014images2007-02125-34_Mint_Julep_250.jpg — Most Kentuckians insist on serving this drink in sterling silver julep cups, and always with well-crushed ice. See the recipe for Mint Julep »

sweet tea recipe, sweet tea, iced tea — Throughout the South, sweet tea is nothing to be taken lightly—most families have a preferred recipe, this is ours.

Martinez — In the 1880s, Old Tom gin, a style with quite a bit more sweetness than London dry, was just beginning to gain popularity in America. This is the drink that put it over the top.

Original Dry Martini — A London dry gin can stand up to a lot more vermouth than you might suspect. The original 1910s-era formula for this iconic drink demonstrates that fact elegantly.

ADVERTISEMENTAD

AD

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2013images2007-01125-03_Glogg_250.jpg — This lighter (but still deceptively powerful) version of traditional Swedish mulled wine is made with brandy and whiskey, then steeped with spices, almonds and raisins. See the recipe for Magnus Dahl's Glogg »

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-02125-13_Daiquiri_250.jpg

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-02125-13_Mai_Tai_250.jpg

Moroccan Mint Tea — North African-style sweet tea braced with fresh mint is both soothing and stimulating.

Tante Marie Fizz — Since Whitley Neill gin gets its signature tanginess in part from the fruit of the African baobab tree, this sweet, sour, and spicy apéritif takes its name from a song by Senegal’s legendary Orchestra Baobab.

ADVERTISEMENTAD

AD

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-09634-sunny_side_1_480.jpg — 1. Crack 1 egg into a small bowl.

Continue to Next Story

ADVERTISEMENTAD

AD

Want more SAVEUR?

Get our favorite recipes, stories, and more delivered to your inbox.