Big Easy Christmas

Drinks

Champagne Mojitos
This puckery drink is prepared like a classic mojito, but topping it with a splash of Champagne makes it holiday-worthy.

Hot Spiced Wine
Red wine and kirsch (a brandy made from cherries) are the base for this delicious seasonal drink, which is laced with citrus and warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom and black pepper.

Starters

Oyster Tartlets
In this version, place the oysters in mini tartlet shells, then top them with a creamy horseradish sauce and crispy bread crumbs.

Chilled Shrimp with Remoulade
Shrimp remoulade is a classic part of a Réveillon menu, the traditional holiday meal in New Orleans.

Chicory Salad with Quince and Pecans
This salad features fresh quince, a winter fruit that’s like a cross between an apple and a pear.

Main Course

Horseradish-and-Herb-Crusted Beef Rib Roast
Smear the roast with a horseradish, garlic and herb butter, which bakes to form an irresistible crust.

Side Dishes

Root Vegetable, Pear and Chestnut Ragout
This ragout—slightly sweet and not too rich—is a wonderful mix of winter vegetables and fruit.

Creamy Potatoes with Bacon
Farmer cheese gives the potatoes a nice tangy flavor; crunchy bits of bacon make this dish taste even better.

Oyster Dressing "Grand-Mère"
This dish is unbelievably delicious—a bready dressing that’s spicy, crispy and nicely briny.

Hot, Buttered Cauliflower Puree
Adjust the level of cayenne pepper to make the puree more or less spicy.

Pat’s Popovers
The secret is the beef fat (left over from the roast), which gets mixed into the batter and is also used to grease the muffin tin; vegetable oil works well too.

Braised Kale
This easy kale recipe—a simple braise of olive oil, garlic and chicken stock—is a terrific counterpoint to all of the rich Southern-style dishes.

Dessert

Père Roux’s Cake
Layers of white cake and a buttery banana filling with plenty of rum are all topped with a cream cheese frosting.

Poached Pear and Brown Butter Tart
Feel free to swap the pears for apples or even quince.