We've curated our top five holiday menus with all your gatherings in mind, from a casual fondue dinner to a formal feast deserving of a classic Prime Rib Roast. We've also got a satisfying vegetarian holiday menu and a full-on fantastic seafood feast. Or try a New Year's Eve dinner party menu that centres on glorious crown roast of pork. Plus, cheesecake! (Consider yourself prepared.)
A Prime Rib Roast Feast
A Prime Rib roast beef dinner always delivers during holiday time. Start this timeless menu with a velvety mushroom soup garnished with fresh rosemary and croutons. For the roast, keep it simple, and use our handy Roast Calculator to determine how much you need. Our Salt-Crusted Sterling Silver Prime Rib Roast recipe requires just salt and pepper, but careful attention to cooking temperature and time will deliver spectacular results. On the side, serve garlic mashed potatoes, Green Beans with Roasted Garlic and Parmesan or a Kale Caesar Salad. And for dessert? Choose our NY Cheesecake Applause Collection! You can't go wrong with four fabulous flavours including strawberry swirl, caramel pecan, brownie swirl and original.
Wine pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic wine match with Prime Rib. Other bold red wines such as Shiraz, Malbec and Barolo would also pair well.
Sterling Silver Easy Carve Prime Rib
Potatoes
A Vegetarian Holiday Menu
An easy vegetarian dinner menu suits many holiday occasions and is appreciated in schedules full of meaty feasts. Cheese and spinach ravioli dressed with olive oil, herbs and Parmigiano Reggiano is simple and delicious. Or dress it up with a light toss of tomato sauce. If you're serving a crowd, prep a few baked options that can be made ahead of time. A Big-Batch Puttanesca Bake with fusilli, Baked Pesto Pasta with penne, and our Easy White Sauce Veggie Lasagna makes a terrific trio. Serve a classic Caesar salad on the side with more of that fresh grated Parmigiano. For dessert: Keep it Italian style with a tiramisu and after-dinner Christmas cookies and coffee.
Wine pairing: Try a crisp Sauvignon Blanc with herby pasta. Medium-bodied red wines pair well with pasta in a light tomato sauce: Try a Chianti, Primitivo or Rhone blend.
A Holiday Seafood Feast
A seafood feast is a highlight for many during the holiday season, and it definitely earns you title of Host-with-the-Most. Our favourite seafood dinner starts with oysters (learn how to shuck oysters here). Enjoy them with a Lemon-Herb Mignonette. Then comes your choice of main; try show-stopping steamed lobsters served with a Caper Gremolata Sauce, or our stuffed Salmon Roasts. Serve with baked potatoes and sautéed green beans with a pat of butter and tarragon. For dessert, light citrus or fruit flavours suit the menu perfectly, like our Lemon Meringue Pie and Key Lime Meringue Pies!
Wine pairing: Crisp, dry sparkling wine is always a great match for oyster and lobsters. Its festive bubbles suit the holiday season too!
New Year's Eve Dinner Party Menu
New Year's Eve dinner calls for drama, whether you're hosting 4 or 14. That's why we love a crown roast of pork for the occasion. It's big. It's not often served. And you can dress up those Frenched ribs with little hats if you're into it! Start this special holiday dinner menu with a light salad of Bibb or mixed lettuces tossed with a light dressing, like our French-Style Shallot Vinaigrette. For the main course, serve this exceptional Crown Roast of Pork With Orange-Pomegranate Glaze with a Make-Ahead Creamy Saffron, Leek & Parsnip Gratin. A side of steamed Brussels Sprouts balances the sweet richness on the plate. For dessert, pumpkin follows pork perfectly, so we recommend a Classic Pumpkin Pie (with whipped cream garnish of course!) and Holiday Gingerbread Cookies.
Wine Pairing: Chardonnay and Riesling are a great match for roast pork. For reds, go with a Pinot Noir or rosé. Or you could serve a sparkling wine with the meal and then be all set to toast the New Year!
Cheese Fondue Dinner Menu
After a winter's day spent in the great outdoors, there's nothing like a fondue dinner. Start with a Classic Cheese Fondue Recipe and pair with an assortment of dippables, from prepared meatballs and sausage (cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces) to cubes of fresh bread. The best vegetables for cheese fondue include mini potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, carrots and spears of sweet pepper. Roast them first for added flavour and give those mini potatoes a few extra minutes to get them crispy. For dessert, keep it on the light side. Fruit salad with a holiday cookie tray suits the scene perfectly. Try our fresh and vibrantly coloured Honey-Mint Fruit Salad or a prepared fruit platter to close the meal.
Wine pairing: A dry Riesling, with its signature floral and honey notes, is an ideal wine match with cheese fondue.
