Warm Up This December With My Delicious Recipes

Welcome to December! It’s Christmas time in the kitchen, and I am excited to share many yummy December recipes that will make your holiday season easier! When preparing for the holidays, there are some standard dishes that I usually don’t change because my kids expect to see them on the table. For example, they love mashed potatoes, cornbread, and stuffing!

I also like to preserve some of the Jordanian food traditions I grew up on, so there is always a big pot of warak dwalie, and stuffed zucchini with lamb served. These dishes take at least 4 hours to prepare and another 5 hours to cook to be eaten in less than half an hour! 

My Jordanian heritage is very important to me. So, I make sure I follow certain traditions to keep my culture alive. Besides the fantastic holiday recipes, I focused on making some tasty soups this month to try this season to keep you healthy and warm. Here are the links to my butternut squash, carrot, broccoli, freekeh, and chicken noodle soups for your cooking pleasure! We also have an excellent blog on making the best broths and stocks while explaining their differences.   

I could never forget about the Christmas cookies!

I made two perfect Middle Eastern cookies served widely around the holidays, Barazak and Grybehe. Also, I posted my cinnamon roll recipe that I have been making for over 20 years. It is definitely worth trying, and let me know how it goes when you do! 

My latest recipes have been all about comfort and staying warm during one of the chilliest times of the year! I love to stay cozy and make delicious food. My most recent recipes are no exception.

So here are some new December recipes to warm your toes and heart this winter. 

Turkey Chili 

You must try this delicious, hearty chili! It is a healthier spin on a savory classic and will keep you full. I took time to experiment with this recipe, and I nailed it! Now, I want to share my perfect version with you. Turkey is leaner than beef or pork but is much healthier. I added plenty of warm spices like cumin, paprika, and dried oregano so that each bite bursts with flavor. This chili is packed with protein, vegetables, and hearty goodness. In addition, it is more heart-healthy and lower in cholesterol than traditional chilis so you can go back for seconds guilt-free.  

Deep Dish Apple Pie 

Nothing is cozier than the aroma of warm apple pie on a cold day. This pie is deep-dish, which means there’s more to ooey-gooey goodness to enjoy! Share this tasty pie with your friends and family this holiday season to let them know you love them. You will need about six pounds of apples for this deep-dish pie! I recommend a blend of Granny Smiths and Crispin apples for a tantalizing tart and sweet flavor. I also explain how to create the perfect deep dish crust using cold butter and flour in this recipe. You will have a sweet, aromatic apple pie in no time. Good luck waiting until it cools to eat it! 

Pumpkin Chocolate Tart 

This dessert will satisfy your sweet tooth with spiced fall flavors. Enjoy this tart for a lovely breakfast, afternoon snack, or after dinner! I have been augmenting Martha Stewart’s recipe for years until I made it my own and perfected it. If you are cooking a lot during this busy holiday season, this tart is perfect for preparing ahead of time. You can whip up the filling and crust two days ahead of time and assemble it the day you present it to your friends or family. You can also bake the whole tart ahead of time and keep it in the freezer for one to two months. 

Kofta Bi Al Tahini 

Kofta is a traditional kebab that is often served in the Middle East. They are made with succulent beef or lamb concoction that blends onions, parsley, and unique Middle Eastern spices. This dish is close to my heart, and this recipe is my version of my traditional kofta. This dish takes me back to my mom’s kitchen, where I used to fight with my sibling over the last bit of tahini! This dish is easy to make and will fill your home with delicious savory aromas. So take a piece of my home to your kitchen, and try these koftas! 

I designed these December recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth and fill you up with hearty flavors for the chilly season ahead. These recipes will keep you warm, spice up your life, and incorporate my culture into your kitchen.

So please try them this holiday season, and I hope you and your family enjoy them as much as mine!