While Chanukah finishes tonight, there’s plenty of reasons to celebrate. Whether it’s upcoming New Years Eve and Day, Christmas parties, or just watching some football with the lads, a dinner table centerpiece with friends and family is sure to impress.
Here are a few main entree ideas to help inspire. And yes, there’s loads of time to get provisions.
Holiday Ham
Turkey gets all the cred on Thanksgiving day in my home, but a simple ham is perfect on New Years Day. Plus you get tons of leftovers for soups, breakfast hash, the list goes on.
Also great on Christmas Eve, for those who eat pork, ham is a great option. Combine it with mac and cheese, or southern traditions like black eyed peas or collard greens, you can assemble the perfect holiday plate for any chilly wintery day.
#SaltSwap by making your own glaze. Ham has a ton of sodium in it, so low salt sides can help balance it out.
Easy Standing Rib Roast
My fav and a crowd pleaser is a super simple standing rib roast, a.k.a. prime rib. You don’t need a prime cut of meat to make this tender, flavorful entree the star of the meal. Plus, they’re usually on sale this time of year making it a perfect centerpiece.
While it does take quite a bit of time in the oven, you’ll crave the leftovers which are perfect for sandwiches, hot pot, and more.
#SaltSwap by using kosher salt when seasoning. You can season liberally here, but know that the end cuts will have more sodium than a center cut.
Butternut Squash Soup
A regular on my Thanksgiving menu, this soup is hearty with its high fiber and plenty of veggies. It’s also a GREAT option for a centerpiece that’s vegetarian as written, but can be vegan with a few substitutions (coconut milk instead of cream). Toppings abound and can add protein, such as pumpkin seeds, toasted tofu, etc.
The soup stands on its own. Super simple to make in the Instant Pot and fun to play with an immersion blender. With so many healthy vegetables, this is a great, high fiber soup that’s rich and satisfying.
#SaltSwap use unsalted (homemade is best) vegetable stock to control the sodium.
Turkey Time
In other parts of the world, a Christmas turkey is the star. I roast and smoke turkeys year round, and this dry-brined recipe really does the trick. You won’t need to smoke the quartered bird, as I like to do, but butter and herbs will drive so much flavor.
#SaltSwap unsalted butter when seasoning and basting the bird. Dry brining will use less salt and remember, most frozen turkeys are already infused with a sodium solution. Lean into less salt when prepping and you’ll be all set.
