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I don't know how it works in your family, but we cook extensively on both Christmas holidays. During the holidays, things can get really festive on the plates too.
It's just a shame that children often don't like this special food at all. With a bit of luck, they'll still eat a dumpling and often won't touch anything else. If we are honest with ourselves, this makes us a little sad, because we also invested the effort and love that we put into cooking for her.
Also read: If children don't want to eat properly: tips for parents
So that things are different this year, so that we can all spend a little less time in the kitchen but still be able to dine like Christmas, we have a few tips for the Christmas menu for you that will bring delicious food and joy to everyone. Of course you can also find recipes from us.
The thing about Christmas dinner is that it often has to be really special. Just not something you've eaten so often the rest of the year. But perhaps that is exactly the wrong approach. Instead of relying on special delicacies - which the children may not know, let alone have tried - you can also rely on tried and tested ones at Christmas. It can even be pasta, just with a Christmas twist.
Reading tip:Please don't! What children should never hear while eating
Parents can also pay attention to the following things to ensure taste:
Sauces without alcohol
Alcohol, even though it usually boils away when preparing food, has no place in the food if children eat with it. For them, the alcoholic taste is often very superficial and they don't like that.
So instead of pouring red wine into the gravy, you can also use a dash of grape juice and a strong vegetable or gravy stock. Tastes at least as good.
Familiar flavors
Have your kids already tried game, lamb or duck meat and found it delicious? Then of course these varieties can also end up on the table at Christmas. If you don't know these special types of meat yet, the festive Christmas menu may not be the best time to introduce you to them. Lamb, duck and game are very intense and have a special taste.
It's also better not to experiment too much with seasoning. Use spices that you know your children like.
Also interesting: 5 ways to get your child to (like) eat vegetables
Children's right to co-determination
Depending on the age of the children, you can involve them directly in planning the Christmas dinner. So just ask them what special food they want for the holidays. If you don't have any ideas, suggest something.
For example, instead of roast poultry, a simple chicken breast or sliced chicken could be served, instead of red cabbage, a mix of peas, corn and carrots (in a creamy sauce) and instead of dumplings, croquettes.
Cook & decorate together
Once you have decided on your holiday meal together, you can prepare and cook it together. Let the children chop the vegetables or, if they are too clumsy with a knife, just place the croquettes on the baking tray.
Fold the napkins together with your children and decorate your table festively. Distribute a few glitter stars, clean the cutlery together again and perhaps put a small amuse-gueule in the form of a chocolate praline on the plate. Involve your children in the entire process and be amazed at how much they will enjoy their Christmas dinner.
Recipe ideas for kid-approved Christmas dinner
Okay, now we know what kids don't like and what you can pay attention to so that they enjoy the holiday meal. But what are you cooking now? Here are a few ideas for starters, main courses and desserts for your Christmas menu. All the recipes given have already passed the endurance test and have been eaten by my gourmet children.
Very important:No matter what other families have on their table at Christmas, don't look left or right. Create your own Christmas menu and maybe new traditions too. In the end, all that matters is that everyone enjoys it and that you create beautiful memories.
Also read: Magical Christmas: 5 creative ways to make Christmas unforgettable
Christmas appetizers
Make it as simple as possible with the starter, but stay away from the salad. Very few children like to eat it. How about one instead, for exampleHearty puff pastry Christmas tree with cheese, served with dips and vegetable sticks. Everyone grabs and eats what they like.
You'll make it even easier if you have onelight soupis enough as a starter. If you like, you can cook them fresh or even prepare them a few days before Christmas with fresh ingredients. If you want to be a little lazier, you can also opt for a packet of soup, for example. B. resort to pasta. Crack in an egg and whisk well and the egg flakes will create a wintery look.
Or you can forego a classic appetizer and have one insteaddelicious drinkbefore you eat the main course. Make it a little experience by simply decorating the glasses with a beautiful sugar rim. A little soda or soda in the glasses and your kids will be smiling from ear to ear when they get to toast with you.
Main dishes for Christmas
One thing that all kids (who eat meat) love are meatballs. So why not at Christmas too? On the one hand, they are easy to prepare, and on the other hand, with a delicious sauce, they also go well with classic Christmas side dishes such as dumplings, croquettes, etc.
Here you will find a few delicious meatball recipes, which you can of course also prepare with veggie mince:
>Juicy meatballs in a creamy paprika cream sauce
>Köttbullar like from the Swedish furniture store
>Meatballs with feta and zucchini: Greek inspired
>Viking pan with meatballs
For you, poultry belongs on the table at Christmas? No problem either. Instead of roast poultry, which most children don't touch, you can prepare chicken fillets or schnitzels.
The chicken is particularly time-saving if you prepare it as a one-tray dish, i.e. put the meat and side dishes on a tray at the same time and put them in the oven. You can find a recipe for it here:One-tray chicken with vegetables. When it comes to vegetables, choose whatever your children like.
For those of you who like it a little bit gravier, we recommend this recipe:Chicken stir-fry with spinach. This can also be used to wonderfully combine Christmas side dishes in the form of croquettes or dumplings.
Would you rather enjoy your main course meat-free? No problem either. ThisVeggie-Lasagnefor example, you can do magic in under 30 minutes. Here too, as with all other dishes, include vegetables that you know your children really like.
Or you fryCelery schnitzel, cook thisquick and vegan gravyand maybe surprise your children with theseCheese spaetzle thalersin addition.
Christmas desserts
After a lavish Christmas meal, nobody probably wants to have to stand in the kitchen again and create the dessert. That's why dessert should ideally be able to be prepared or at least ready in no time.
The classic for Christmas is probably thisBaked apple with vanilla sauceor ice cream. But you can alsoBaked apple layered dessertprepare, tastes just as delicious. You can find another delicious alternative hereWinter gingerbread rice pudding with baked apple topping.
Are you not a fruit fan when it comes to dessert? How about then?Chocolate pine conesfor dessert that are guaranteed to amaze your children. Or a delicious oneNutella Tiramisu im Glas? You can also prepare this for children without espresso.
Of course you can tooCheescake-Browniesor a delicious oneCakebake for dessert. The advantage of these two dessert variants is that they can be baked the day before and just need to be put on the table after the Christmas menu.
More recipe ideas:
