152 delicious holiday recipes from around the world
Loukoumades are delightful, bite-sized fried dough balls, a traditional Greek sweet, often referred to as 'honey tokens' or 'honey puffs'. They are known for their crispy exterior, fluffy interior, and are generously drenched in a warm honey syrup infused with cinnamon, then sprinkled with crushed walnuts. This ancient treat was even enjoyed by athletes in the original Olympic Games.
Authentic Korean dumplings filled with a savory mixture of ground pork, firm tofu, crisp vegetables, and chewy glass noodles. These versatile dumplings can be steamed to a tender perfection, boiled, or pan-fried for a delightful crispy exterior. A beloved dish often enjoyed during holidays and family gatherings.
Authentic Sicilian pastry tubes featuring crisp, golden shells filled with a luxuriously sweet and creamy ricotta filling, often studded with candied fruits and chocolate chips.
A thick, sweet, and creamy dessert soup made from cracked white corn (morocho), milk, sugar, cinnamon, and raisins. It's a beloved comfort food, often served warm, especially during holidays like Christmas and New Year's.
A fragrant and tender chicken dish inspired by North African and Middle Eastern flavors, featuring the unique tang of preserved lemons, the brininess of olives, and aromatic spices. This dish is often served for special occasions and holidays, embodying the rich culinary heritage of Israeli cuisine.
Piragi are a traditional Latvian savory pastry, often crescent-shaped, filled with a mixture of finely diced bacon and onions. They are made from a yeasty dough and are a popular treat for special occasions and holidays.
A traditional Algerian sweet and savory lamb tagine, slow-cooked with prunes, raisins, and fragrant spices like cinnamon and saffron, finished with toasted almonds. It's often served for special occasions and holidays.
Classic red tamales featuring tender shredded pork enveloped in a rich, savory red chile sauce, all encased in a soft masa dough and steamed to perfection within corn husks. A beloved staple for celebrations.
Ethiopia's celebratory chicken stew, often called the 'crown jewel' of Ethiopian cuisine. This rich, slow-cooked dish features tender chicken and hard-boiled eggs simmered in a deeply flavorful, spiced berbere sauce. Essential for holidays and special occasions, traditionally served with injera.
A rich and dense Venezuelan Christmas fruit cake, traditionally soaked in dark rum for an intensely moist and flavorful dessert. This cake benefits greatly from being made in advance.
Cozonac is a rich, sweet, leavened bread, often prepared for holidays like Christmas and Easter. It's characterized by its soft, brioche-like texture and is typically filled with walnuts, cocoa, or poppy seeds, creating a beautiful spiral when sliced. The dough is enriched with eggs, butter, and milk, and often flavored with citrus zest or vanilla.
Fougasse Monégasque is a sweet, aromatic bread or cake from Monaco, distinct from the savory Provençal fougasse. It's characterized by its rich flavor profile, often including anise, orange blossom water, rum, and nuts, making it a delightful treat for special occasions or with coffee.
Liechtensteiner Lebkuchen are traditional spiced cookies, similar to gingerbread, often enjoyed during the holiday season. They are characterized by their rich flavor from honey, spices, and nuts, and are typically baked until slightly chewy or firm.
A savory meat jelly or aspic, Kholodets is a festive dish often prepared for holidays and special occasions. It's made by slow-cooking meat and bones to extract gelatin, then chilling it until set.
Yaksik, also known as Yakbap, is a traditional Korean sweet rice dessert made with glutinous rice, nuts, dried fruits, and a sweet syrup. It's often enjoyed during holidays and special occasions.
Cougnou, also known as 'Bread of Jesus' or 'Volaard', is a sweet, brioche-like bread traditionally baked in Belgium and Northern France for Christmas and Saint Nicholas Day. It's often shaped to resemble a swaddled infant or baby Jesus, and can be enriched with raisins, pearl sugar, or chocolate chips.
A quintessential Venezuelan Christmas bread, this sweet and savory roll features a soft dough generously filled with thinly sliced ham, briny olives, and sweet raisins, creating a beautiful spiral when sliced.
Ethiopia's quintessential celebratory chicken stew, slow-cooked to tender perfection with the complex, warming spice blend of berbere and infused with aromatic niter kibbeh. Traditionally served with hard-boiled eggs nestled within the rich sauce, this dish is a holiday essential.
A flavorful and tangy stewed chicken dish, often served during holidays and special occasions. It features chicken simmered in a rich, vinegary broth with onions, bell peppers, and spices, creating a unique sweet and sour profile.
A warm, comforting, and deeply traditional Mexican beverage, Champurrado is a thick, chocolate-infused masa drink. It's a delightful blend of sweet, spiced, and earthy flavors, perfect for chilly mornings or alongside savory dishes like tamales.
Authentic Mexican tamales featuring tender masa dough filled with shredded chicken in a vibrant salsa verde, all steamed to perfection within corn husks. A beloved staple for holidays and celebrations.
Lutefisk, a traditional Norwegian dish made from dried whitefish treated with lye, is a polarizing but iconic part of Norwegian Christmas and winter cuisine. It's typically served with a variety of classic sides.
A traditional oval-shaped sweet bread, adorned with colorful candied fruits and symbolic of the Three Kings' Day celebration. A small plastic baby figurine is hidden within the dough, and whoever finds it is said to host a tamale party on Candlemas Day (February 2nd).
These traditional Mexican wedding cookies, also known as polvorones, are incredibly tender, crumbly, and melt-in-your-mouth delights. They are characterized by their delicate texture and are generously coated in powdered sugar, making them a perfect sweet treat for celebrations.
