HOLIDAY RECIPES: An Inspiring Menu for Festive Entertaining
November 7, 2025
Welcome to our annual
Rizzoli Holiday Meal Planner
We’re back for another year of holiday celebrations, and to mark the occasion, we’re sharing a decadent menu of recipes to elevate your seasonal entertaining. Drawn from new Rizzoli releases, as well as books from our publishing partners Flammarion, Smith Street Books, and Batsford, you’ll find main courses, appetizers and sides, desserts, brunch dishes, festive cocktails, and even seasonal crafts. We thank you, as always, for your continued support.
HOLIDAY MENU
FROM CHEF JEREMY SEWALL
Cooking around the holidays can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. I picked this menu for a reason—you can spend time with friends and family rather than being stuck in the kitchen. Be prepared: have all your serving dishes picked out and ready to go, as well as any pans or cooking utensils. Also, have a cutting board and a sharp knife ready for the lamb.
You can make the soup a day or two ahead, let it cool down, and store it in a covered container. Make the croutons and brown butter the day of the meal so everything is ready to go. Careful to heat the soup slowly so it does not burn on the bottom. The squash side can all be made ahead and warmed just before serving. The barley and pearl onions can also be done ahead of time; the one thing you really need to focus on is cooking the lamb. Lamb is expensive and feels like a special meal during the holidays. A meat thermometer is a great tool to cook the lamb to the desired temperature.
—Jeremy Sewall
Roasted Parsnip Soup with Brown Butter
“I love parsnips because they’re so versatile. Roasting gives them a rich, warming flavor. Be sure to cut the parsnips into similarly sized pieces so that they cook evenly. If you have a very powerful blender, you can skip the straining, but better safe than sorry. Like many soups, this one tastes better if you make it a day in advance and allow the flavors to combine and develop.”
Winter Squash with Roasted Onions and Red Lentils
“This hearty side dish goes nicely with roasted meats, or it can stand on its own as a main dish. There are plenty of delicious varieties of winter squash, but I often reach for butternut because it’s easy to find and to break down. Use a vegetable peeler to peel away the thick skin.”
Roasted Rack of Lamb with Barley and Pearl Onions
“Rack of lamb is a special meal suited to a celebration. It’s an expensive cut of meat but, in my opinion, one of the tastiest. When ordering the rack, ask the butcher to keep a little of the fat cap in place. Also, be sure to use a meat thermometer to gauge doneness—I like lamb just past medium-rare.”
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Chef Jeremy Sewall is a Boston-based restaurateur known for celebrating New England seafood through acclaimed venues such as Row 34 and Island Creek Oyster Bar. Find these recipes and more in his new book, Everyday Chef: Simple Dishes for Family and Friends. |
HOLIDAY CRAFTS
The Art of Green Gift Wrapping
The Art of Green Gift WrappingWow friends and family with beautifully wrapped gifts while minimizing waste. Click below for easy, step-by-step instructions on key techniques for creating both simple and intricate designs—all made with materials that are recyclable, reusable, and sustainable.
Have a Crafty Christmas
Have a Crafty ChristmasGet into the holiday spirit with a little creative magic. Start by crafting a wreath worthy of your front door, count down to the twenty-fifth with a handmade advent calendar, and top it all off with a sparkling centerpiece fit for a festive feast.
THE MAIN COURSE
Roast Turkey with Stuffing
Roast Turkey with StuffingWhether you’re planning your Thanksgiving turkey or waiting for the December holidays, set yourself apart with this recipe that calls for a chorizo and cranberry stuffing.
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Dried Fruit–Stuffed Pork Loin with Pears
Dried Fruit–Stuffed Pork Loin with PearsBring the perfect balance of sweet and savory to the holiday table—elegant enough for a celebration, yet comforting enough to feel like home.
From My Art of Entertaining: Recipes and Tips from Miss Maggie’s Kitchen
Boeuf Bourguignon
Boeuf BourguignonA classic French comfort food, now simplified. It’s the kind of showpiece that feels special enough for the season while still delivering that warm, come-sit-down familiarity everyone craves.
Holy Soup
Zuppa alla santè
Holy SoupIn Italy, zuppa alla santè is a Christmas tradition dating back to the 14th century in Agnone, created in honor of Queen Giovanna II of Naples. With its mix of meat, fried cheese, and crisp croutons, this generous soup delivers true comfort at the holiday table.
Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s PieShepherd’s Pie is the ultimate holiday comfort meal—hearty, cozy, and meant to be shared, just like gathering with family and loved at this time of year.
Stuffed Squash
*Vegetarian Option
Stuffed SquashThis dish from The Larder in Vineyard Haven is destined for cozy fall suppers by a crackling fireplace, and it is easily customizable depending on guests or mood. Leave out the sausage and bulk up the grains for a meat-free centerpiece that can easily take pride of place at your Thanksgiving table.
APPETIZERS & SIDES
Mushroom, Spinach, and Goat Cheese Wreath
Mushroom, Spinach, and Goat Cheese WreathThis edible wreath is not only a delicious side or appetizer—it’s also a beautiful, festive centerpiece that instantly elevates the holiday table.
Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry SauceWhatever your choice of meat, give it the festive treatment with this spicy cranberry sauce, which is sure to knock your guests’ Christmas stockings right off.
French Onion Soup Bites
French Onion Soup BitesBesides being an impressive, delicious appetizer, this recipe also costs under twelve dollars to make. It takes all of those sweet, silky flavors from slowly simmered onions and thrusts them upon beautifully crunchy bread. It could very well be the future of French onion anything-but-soup.
Mac & Cheese Fritters
A spin on classic mac and cheese, these fritters from Town Bar in Edgartown are crispy on the outside and ooey-gooey on the inside. The recipe scales up or down—and they disappear fast—so make sure you have enough to go around.
Cheese-stuffed Garlic Bread
Cheese-stuffed Garlic BreadThese homemade bread rolls—with their gooey, cheesy centers and garlic-butter glaze—are the ultimate holiday crowd-pleaser. Serve them alongside your festive feast or set them out as an irresistible nibble before dinner, but be sure to snag one early…they’ll disappear in minutes.
Winter Soup
Winter SoupThis hearty Winter Soup brings cozy comfort to the coldest months and makes a perfect holiday starter or side, setting a warm and welcoming tone before the festive feast begins.
Accordion Potatoes
Accordion PotatoesHere, the humble potato is carved into a beautifully furrowed vessel to hold everything from cheese to garlic butter and bacon in its tater-y crevices—bringing a little holiday showmanship to the plate.
Crispy Fried Camembert
Crispy Fried CamembertIf you’re a fan of Camembert, this recipe is what dreams are made of. Crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, these deep-fried bites are a show-stopping starter you won’t want to miss.
Mini Cheddar, Spinach, and Caramelized Onion Scones
The perfect savory bake for the holiday season—whether for your Christmas morning brunch or served warm alongside a festive meal.
Choose-It-Your-Way Fruit Pie
Lest you be intimidated at the thought of making pie, Chrissy Kinsman of Pie Chicks, Vineyard Haven, believes anyone can if they respect the technique and put their heart into it. This recipe calls for any high-pectin fruit—apples, pears, berries, stone fruit, or a combination. Be sure to follow Chrissy’s tips to ensure your pie is as tender and flaky as Grandma’s.
Holiday Cookies
“From early December onwards, I love to make a variety of small cookies that I give away to friends, neighbors, my children’s teachers, etc.—and, of course, I always keep some at home for teatime or sweet snacks throughout the day. Here are three simple recipes that are always a big hit.”
From My Art of Entertaining: Recipes and Tips from Miss Maggie’s Kitchen
Brazilian Flan
Brazilian FlanA must for holidays and special occasions, this flan from Vineyard Grocer in Vineyard Haven is made with only five ingredients. It’s silky-smooth and luscious, and swims in a pool of caramel syrup.
Lemon Almond Polenta Cake and Lemon Almond Ricotta Cake
Lemon Almond Polenta Cake and Lemon Almond Ricotta CakeIndulge in the sweet potential of the humble lemon with desserts from Ruthie Rogers, the chef behind London’s River Café—shown here alongside art by the renowned Ed Ruscha.
From Squeeze Me: Lemon Recipes & Art
Pear Tarte Tatin
Pear Tarte TatinPears remain in season through the early winter months and make a great ingredient for a winter pudding—especially as a beautiful, seasonal finish to the holiday table.
Donuts
DonutsDonuts may be an unconventional choice for a holiday dessert, but that’s exactly what makes them so exciting. These recipes for Cinnamon Sugar and Red Velvet donuts will be unexpected, playful, and impossible to resist.
Chocolate Fondant
Chocolate FondantChocolate fondant is a game-changer that will satisfy any craving for something rich. This fudgy cake, bursting with decadence, is guaranteed to impress. Serve it warm with ice cream for a blissful combination.
DRINKS & COCKTAILS
Coffee Disco Chai
Coffee Disco ChaiThis Coffee Disco Chai is holiday magic in a glass—vodka infused with chai and star anise, rounded out with coffee liqueur, cream, cinnamon, and dried orange, for a festive sip that’s cozy and a little bit glamorous.
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Egg NogsClassic eggnog is a holiday staple, but part of the fun is that there’s always room for a twist—as you’ll find in the link below. |
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The PoinsettiaThis festive drink is a favorite around the holidays. Named for the popular Christmas plant, the cocktail’s scarlet hue and herbal garnish reminiscent of the vibrant red and green foliage. |
BRUNCH
Bagel and Cream Cheese Board
Set out a stack of bagels, pile on the lox, cream cheese, and classic fixings, and you’ve created an elevated, low-effort holiday brunch feast that feels both abundant and chic.
Ruby Chard, Squash, Feta Filo Tart
Chard can be found throughout autumn, and the ruby variety adds visual punch to this dish with its vibrantly colored stems—making it a standout addition to a holiday brunch spread.
Pesto Egg Avocado Toast
Pesto Egg Avocado ToastThis spin on avocado toast adds pesto to the mix—bright, nutty, and packed with flavor—results in a vibrant bite that will light up your holiday brunch.
Quiche
QuicheQuiche is a classic for a reason—rich, comforting, and endlessly versatile—which is precisely why it’s always a crowd-pleaser.
From The Independent Cook: Tasty Recipes to Set You Up for Life
Apple strudel
(Strudel di mele)
Few desserts are as comforting as the humble apple strudel. This version, from Chef Matteo Maenza of Italy, captures everything the dish stands for—a recipe tied to family brunches and passed lovingly from generation to generation.
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Naughty or Nice Hot Cocoa with Salted Honey Whipped Cream
Whether you prefer your decadent hot chocolate Naughty, with a kiss of heat, or Nice, dairy-free with the creaminess of coconut, you’ll find the salted honey whipped cream is a revelation.
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Bloody MariaIf you already love the brunch staple Bloody |
Top image from Swing By!: Entertaining Recipes and the New Art of Gathering.
