A Delicious Holiday Menu Inspired by Bobby Flay

Appetizers set the tone for your meal, so you want to ensure you’ve got one or two good ones. And who doesn’t love pizza? Bobby’s pizza dough comes together in about an hour and 20 minutes (including rest time), which makes it an ideal crust for a variety of appetizer-inspired recipes. We’re fans of this tarte flambe, which melds leeks, bacon and gruyere for a mouth-watering bite, but feel free to try your own concoctions, too.

Want to set the festive mood with a themed cocktail? We love Bobby’s pomegranate sangria, which is full of seasonal pomegranate and fruity red wine. It’s a cooler alternative to your traditional mulled wine, and it may do a better job of refreshing your crowd as your kitchen and dining room heats up.

Whether you want a cheesy veggie side or a heartier vegetarian main, this eggplant parm delivers. Sliced veggies are coated in breadcrumbs and a roasted red pepper tomato sauce with a salty concoction of fontina, pecorino romano and mozzarella. It’s a cheesy, indulgent bite that feels holiday-worthy, and will impress even those who normally skip on the veg.

Pasta is always a well-received side or main, and this carbonara take on mac ‘n’ cheese is no exception. It changes your traditional macaroni palate with chunks of pancetta and hints of garlic, with fancy cheeses like Irish white cheddar and asiago adding lots of extra flavour to each bite.

If you’re looking for a meaty main that isn’t another turkey or roast, consider this moussaka—a hearty and warm lamb dish made with lots of spices, béchamel, loads of veggies and a tangy tomato sauce. If you wanted to make this dish vegan, you could easily swap vegan ground “beef” for lamb. Or, if lamb is too much on the palate, use ground beef, turkey or chicken instead.

For some, the holidays always mean turkey, and Bobby’s got you covered there, too. His version takes three days to make, so you’ll want to set time aside, but the results are well worth the efforts. The chef presents two outdoor roasting options for a smoked turkey that’s memorable and flavourful, just note that a grill is required.

If you’re going to present a roast at the holiday table, you definitely want a succulent prime rib roast. Bobby’s version of the juicy meat is rubbed down with his signature pork- and beef-rub and then slow-cooked to perfection on the grill or in the smoker before getting a healthy dose of his homemade steak sauce. It’s the ultimate holiday indulgence for any and all meat lovers on your list.

It’s always a good idea to offer a salad or two with your holiday menu. Bobby Flay’s arugula-based dish is an easy but special offering that adds a ton of flavour without too much effort. It’s got fennel, chickpeas and parmesan for various textures, but the zesty lemon-olive oil dressing keeps it light and fresh.

No holiday meal is complete without a little dessert. We love Bobby Flay’s gingerbread cupcakes because they’re just the right amount of sweet, but they’re also portable if you’re charged with bringing something to the host’s house this year. The gingerbread is on-theme for the holidays, while the bright mango buttercream adds an unexpected and fruity twist.

If you are looking for a traditional holiday dessert, pumpkin pie is always a favourite. Bobby Flay’s version features a delightful cinnamon crunch and a bourbon maple whipped cream that adds that extra layer of holiday indulgence. Our favourite part is the crust, which is made from graham cracker crumbs and comes together easily, making this tasty dessert as simple as pie.