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This easy Christmas menu will have your guests asking for every recipe.
A Christmas dinner is a special one indeed, but after all of the holiday celebrations leading up to it, we certainly appreciate a meal that's easy to whip up. That's where our 2021 Christmas Menu comes into play - we're all about keeping things simple and prep-ahead, so you can spend more time hanging out with loved ones and less time laboring over the stovetop!
Appetizer 1: Prosciutto-Wrapped Dates
This bite is as simple as it can possible get - there's no cooking required, and you can make them a day ahead and cover them up in the fridge. Oh, and of course they're delicious - sweet dates, salty prosciutto, and tangy goat cheese. Win, win, win.
Appetizer 2: Sweet And Spicy Tomato Bruschetta With Ricotta
This dish is so good, it's a recurring appetizer at Giada Vegas! You can make every element of this ahead of time, and assemble it all when it's time to eat. It's a flavor and textural party in your mouth, and one of our go-to crowd pleasers.
The Salad: Simple Italian Salad
Because when the rest of the meal is this good and full of flavor, you really just need a simple salad to add some brightness (and some greens!) to the plate. This is Giada's go-to basic salad: a tasty mix of Italian greens gives it great color and texture, and the simple vinaigrette ties it all together. Keep this one in your back pocket!
The Side: Funghi Alla Fiorentina
This combination of ingredients may seem adventurous, but it's incredibly common in Italy. The result is a dish that's bursting at the seams with flavor: earthy savory mushrooms, peppery arugula, sweet dried cranberries and crunchy walnuts. It goes perfectly with the creamy pasta and pork loin on this menu.
The Pasta: Baked Pasta With Squash And Goat Cheese
Giada's secret? Always have a baked pasta at a holiday dinner. You can completely assemble it a day or two ahead of time, and bake it to hot and bubbly perfection when it's time to eat. This creamy pasta gets some great sweet flavor from beautiful half-moons of delicata squash, and a bit of broccoli rabe (or broccolini, if you can't find it) gives it an extra layer of color and flavor.
The Main: Roasted Pork Loin With Port Fig Sauce
This roasted pork loin is incredibly simple to make, and the secret is in the sauce: made from Port wine, dried figs, and aromatics like rosemary and cinnamon sticks, he result is a slightly sweet, rich sauce that adds a beautiful jewel tone to the plate. Mix a bit of it in with your baked penne and Funghi Alla Fiorentina - it won't be a mistake!
For dessert? We had trouble narrowing it down. Tap here for some of Giada's very best Christmas desserts, from Cannoli Cheesecake to Torta Caprese.
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