As the holiday season rolls around, it’s time to spice up the kitchen with some new twists on classic flavors. We’re not just talking about your typical holiday fare; this is about adding a fresh, innovative spin to each dish. Think cranberries and persimmons stepping up their game, a new outlook on gingerbread, and salads that are anything but ordinary. These 15 recipes will add a bit of zest to your festive gatherings.
Cranberry Orange Biscotti
The combination of fresh cranberries and orange brings a bright, citrusy twist to the traditional biscotti, making them a perfect, festive treat for the holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Biscotti
Honey Mustard Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Salad
This salad incorporates winter fruits like apples and pomegranates, offering a fresh, crisp contrast to the hearty chicken and Brussels sprouts, making it a festive choice for a seasonal meal.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Salad
Persimmon Jam
Using fresh persimmons in a simple jam highlights this unique winter fruit, creating a delightful, naturally sweet spread that’s a fresh addition to any holiday breakfast or gift basket.
Get the Recipe: Persimmon Jam
Pickled Cranberries
Quick pickling cranberries transforms this traditional holiday berry into a versatile condiment, adding a fresh and tangy twist to drinks, meats, or charcuterie boards during the festive season.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Cranberries
Cranberry Pesto Stuffed Lamb
The use of cranberry pesto for stuffing lamb is an innovative twist, blending traditional holiday flavors in a novel way, making it an eye-catching and festive centerpiece for a holiday dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Pesto Stuffed Lamb
Gingerbread Molasses Chocolate Chunk Cookies
These cookies blend the classic holiday flavors of gingerbread and molasses with chocolate chunks, offering a fresh take on the traditional gingerbread cookie, perfect for festive gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Molasses Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Adding cranberries to chocolate chip cookies introduces a sweet and tart element, giving a fresh and festive spin to a beloved classic, ideal for holiday cookie exchanges.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Butternut Squash Goat Cheese Dip
The combination of butternut squash with goat cheese creates a creamy, festive dip, enhanced by the tart cherry compote topping, making it an innovative appetizer for holiday parties.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Goat Cheese Dip
Pomegranate Salsa
This salsa, with its vibrant red pomegranate seeds, offers a fresh and visually festive option for holiday entertaining, perfect for pairing with chips or as a topping for meats.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Salsa
Persimmon Salad
The inclusion of ripe persimmons in this salad adds a fresh, sweet element, complemented by the seasonal flavors of cranberries and toasted pecans, making it a festive addition to any holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Persimmon Salad
Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad
Featuring crispy chicken and bright citrus, this salad brings a refreshing and festive twist to winter greens, elevated by an orange dijon dressing, perfect for a holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad
Holiday Butternut Squash Hummus
This hummus incorporates butternut squash and seasonal fruits like cranberries and pomegranates, offering a festive and colorful take on the traditional dip, ideal for holiday gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Butternut Squash Hummus
Gingerbread Oatmeal
Combining gingerbread spices with steel-cut oats creates a warm, comforting breakfast that embodies the festive spirit of the season, perfect for chilly winter mornings.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Oatmeal
Cranberry Curd Tart
The tart features a sweet and tart cranberry curd in a gluten-free crust, presenting a stunning and innovative dessert that is both fresh in flavor and festive in appearance for the holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Curd Tart
Pomegranate Popcorn
This snack mixes pomegranate arils with dark chocolate and lemon zest, creating a simple yet festive popcorn treat that’s perfect for holiday snacking or movie nights.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Popcorn