Life

What to cook in December: Holiday showstoppers of course!

'Tis the season to treat yourself and your guests.

'Tis the season to treat yourself and your guests

(Photography, left: Betty Binon; middle: Peter Chou)

What would Mariah Carey do? That's what we're asking ourselves this month. After the doldrums of November, we're ready to do everything with a little more pizzazz, especially in the kitchen. As we plan holiday meals big and small, we're excited to make some real showstoppers. 

Whatever shape your festive menus take, consider these if you want to add a little extra holiday oomph to the table. From beloved mains, like a wine-braised brisket bejewelled with pomegranate arils, to picture-perfect desserts, like a decadent wreath made of chocolate cream profiteroles, each of these dishes promises to make your meal — and the people you've invited to join you — feel extra special.

We're not, however, suggesting that these recipes are exclusively for hosting guests. Would Mariah Carey not want a fancy Chicken Liver Mousse for herself on a random Wednesday in December? We think she would. Would she want normal applesauce, or an applesauce in the most delightful rose-pink hue? We want the pink one, too. And brioche and sausage in our stuffing, and cookies that look like shooting stars. We hope you find the pièce de resistance for one of your holidays meals below.

Wine-Braised Brisket with Pomegranate Seeds 

Overhead shot of a rectangular serving dish with brisket and mini potatoes with pomegranate arils on top. The decor on the table is blue and white.
(Photography by Debi Traub)

CBC Life's 12 Pies of Christmas

(Photography by David Bagosy)

Rose Pink Applesauce

Overhead shot of a bowl of pink applesauce on a table with white and blue decor.
(Photography by Debi Traub)

Brioche and Sausage Stuffing Bake 

A red casserole pan filled with Brioche and Sausage Stuffing Bake sitting on a table.

Gougères 

A serving plate stacked with cheese puffs made with choux pastry.

Delhi Papri Chat

Overhead shot of many papri chaat on a black background.
(Photo credit: Martin Poole)

Chicken Liver Mousse

closeup on chicken liver mousse on a slice of baguette on a wooden cutting board. a silver knife is leaning on the slice, cherry tomatoes and a jar of the mousse are in the background.
(Photography by Peter Chou)

Sabzi Polow — Fragrant Herbed Rice 

Overhead shot of a large blue plate of Sabzi Polow (Fragrant Herbed Rice). The rice is in the shape of a circle and the top of the rice is golden brown and crispy.
(Photography by Betty Binon)

Kutch Chicken Biryani

Closeup on hands holding a large dish of chicken biryani.
(Photo credit: Martin Poole)

Mothership Sunday Roast Lamb 

(Credit: David Loftus)

Beef Wellington

(Credit: David Loftus)

Mahi — Sea Bass with Cilantro and Walnut Relish

Overhead shot of 2 whole, roast sea bass topped with herbs. They're on a turquoise serving platter on a grey surface.
(Photography by Betty Binon)

Fennel and Asian Pear Salad 

Side view of a white plate with a salad of sliced pear and fennel on it, topped with pecorino cheese.
(Photography by Jennifer May)

Vegan Beef Wellington with Cranberry and Orange Sauce 

Hands slicing a meatless roast on a wooden cutting board.
(Photo credit: Simon Smith and Peter O’Sullivan)

Raspberry Chipotle Glazed Ham

A glazed ham on a wooden cutting board with some slices cut from it.
(Photography by Florence Grunfelder; food styling by Sabrina Falone)

Chocolate Cream Profiterole Wreath

Overhead shot of a bunch of Profiteroles arranged into the shape of a wreath on a wooden cutting board.

Beautiful Black Forest Gateau

3-layer black forest cake topped with Chantilly cream, cherry pie filling, chocolate and cherries, sitting on a white cake pedestal.
(Credit: David Loftus)

Shooting Star Sugar Cookie Cake

Overhead shot of a large star-shaped sugar cookie topped with icing, sprinkles, raspberries, macarons, marshmallows. It's sitting on a marble cutting board.
(Photo credit: David Bagosy)

Braided Challah with Homemade Butter and Apple Butter

A loaf of braided challah topped with sesame seeds on a wooden cutting board.

Half-Made Homemade Sweet Angel Cake

(Photo credit: Zac Williams)

Half-Made Homemade Penguin Cake

(Photo credit: Zac Williams)

Santa Stocking and Pinecone Hand Pies

2 plates of cookies on a wooden table. One plate has 4 red and white stocking-shaped cookies. The other plate has 5 hand pies made to look like pine cones.
(Photo credit: David Bagosy)

Chocolate Cherry Bûche de Noël

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