We hope your December is full of time together with family and friends. And what would time spent together be without food?! Whether you’re hosting or bringing a dish, we’ve put together a list of simple ways to add extraordinary flavor to your holiday feast. From starters to sweets, see our suggestions for your seasonal celebrations.
Finger Foods
- Offer something unique and interactive with a flavor-your-own-hummus station! Start with a bowl of plain hummus and the carrier (mini mason jars, ramekins, small bowls, use whatever you have!) alongside a variety of toppings and dippers—pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted peppers and vegetables, lemons slices, tapenades, roasted garlic cloves, seasoning blends, veggie sticks, pita bread…the possibilities are endless!
- Looking for a stress-free day? Open up a bag of Kaaju’s uniquely-flavored nuts and pour into a festive bowl. Done.
Main Dishes
- Pork belly, flank steak, chicken, brisket—they all can get a sweet-tart makeover with the use of pomegranate molasses in a sauce or marinade.
- A classic combination in our eyes is citrus and za’atar. These flavors make excellent rubs for poultry dishes.
- Hoping to serve alternative proteins? Add dukkah to panko breadcrumbs and give a crispy coating to tofu, fish, or vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, bell peppers, and asparagus.
Sides
- Za’atar is a great seasoning to elevate simple breads. If you’re making something homemade, mixing it straight into your dough will do the trick. But don’t worry—you don’t have to be a master baker. Sprinkling pre-made puff pastry or crescent roll dough with the spice blend adds amazing flavor. Get creative with other additions like labneh, gouda, feta, or garlic dip.
- Another za’atar idea? Well, it is our namesake. Crispy fried or roasted potatoes are the perfect pairing with a sprinkle of za’atar. It’s just too comforting to not add to the list.
- Create a salad dressing all your own for tossing with greens or roasted vegetables. Pomegranate molasses is a great addition to the standard vinaigrette. Or incorporate creamy elements with the use of nut butters.
Sweets
- Carob molasses may be your new best baking friend. This sweetener alternative adds a whole new level of flavor to cakes, bars, cookies, and more with its rich, chocolatey undertones.
- Another interactive idea that guests are sure to love (especially the kids!) is a hot cocoa bar. Start with a great cocoa mix and let your guests top it off! Create an eye-popping hot chocolate charcuterie board with marshmallows, chocolate shavings, whipped cream, and peppermint.
We hope you’ll have fun with some of these ideas! We personally can’t wait to try out that hot cocoa bar. For more inspiration all year round, be sure to follow us on Instagram or Facebook. Happy Holidays, all!