If there’s anything I’ve learned from watching Gordon Ramsay, it’s that I want to be invited to his house for Christmas. While I love my Dad’s glazed ham and my mom’s scalloped potatoes, I’d be open to having a place set at Ramsay’s table to experience an epic spread. From bacon-roasted turkey to caramelized cranberry sauce, I know that I’d leave with a full belly and a grateful heart.
The Pregame
You can’t have a dinner party without an appetizer, and Ramsay’s feast starts with something simple. In place of multiple appetizers, Ramsay offers spiced nuts. Not only is this an easy recipe for the host to execute, but it’s the perfect nibbling food for enjoying while guests are arriving. The nuts are satisfying, but not so much that guests won’t be hungry for the main event.
The Beverage of Choice
Of course there are co*cktails, but Ramsay also serves his version of mulled wine. It’s a warm drink loaded with spice that’s perfect for cold, winter holiday gatherings. He creates his own sachet of spices, but if you don’t have time for that, you can also buy pre-made mulling spice mixes.
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The First Course
Once guests have settled in, it’s time to serve the first course. Ramsay’s pumpkin soup is a fun way to enjoy winter squash. He halves and seeds a whole pumpkin before roasting with rosemary, garlic, and plenty of olive oil. He transfers the cooked pumpkin to a blender along with a “knob” of butter and purees it until it’s aerated and smooth. He serves it in a bowl with sauteed mushrooms and freshly shaved parmesan cheese. It’s simple, yet elegant. A perfect way to introduce the festive meal.
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The Main Event
After the soup bowls have been cleared, it’s time for the showstoppers to arrive. Ramsay roasts a whole turkey with lemon, parsley, garlic and butter and serves it with a gravy made from drippings, cider, and crushed walnuts.
Ramsay whips up a pork, apricot and pistachio stuffing to enjoy alongside the bird as well as roasted potatoes with chili and turmeric. The final dish is pan-roasted brussels sprouts that are served with crispy pancetta and chestnuts, which add a touch of sweetness to balance the bitterness of the sprouts.
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The Finishing Touch
No holiday meal is complete without a special dessert. Ramsay calls on his mother to help him create her very special version of steamed pudding and serves that with whiskey cream. One dessert is not enough though, so he also serves mint chocolate truffles, which were made with his kids’ help.
Bring Ramsay’s Holiday Meal to Your Table
Creating and cooking a holiday menu can be stressful, that’s why Ramsay suggests preparing as much ahead of time as you can. Items such as soup and mulled wine can easily be prepped and made one or two days in advance.
When it comes to planning the meal, he recommends keeping it balanced by adding light dishes to balance heavier ones. Your guests will appreciate the variety and the break from indulgent ingredients. Finally, don’t forget to utilize leftovers! They can be turned into delicious dishes for breakfast, brunch and lunch the next few days. I may not get a seat at Ramsay’s table anytime soon, but I’ve got his menu and I’m ready to spread some holiday cheer!
