Needing some inspiration this holiday season, Jackie’s Eats & Treats is here for you!!!  For this post, I plan to focus on the main dish, but keep in mind I have many delicious munchies & cocktails available, which are also perfect for planning for your celebrations, including New Years Eve 🥂!

Soups as Main Meal or an Accompaniment to your Main Meal

I’m including soups and stews that are suitable for the main attraction and soups that are lighter for the pre-meal…

Scottish Stovies – Just after comfort food this holiday season, check out my husband’s specialty from his home country.  It’s essentially beef stew, but so much more delicious with the sausage!

Sausage Potato & Kale Soup – New to my site, this is a soup you don’t want to miss because it is creamy deliciousness and a total copycat of Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana.

Cullen Skink – This cream soup is something special and blows clam chowder out of the water with the smoked haddock.

Roasted Tomato Soup – I’m in love with this soup and it is so easy to make; simply roast tomatoes, onion and garlic and blend with chicken or vegetable stock and some fresh basil, so satisfying!

Perfectly Prepared Proteins

Some are oven roasted/baked, while others are prepared in the Instant Pot making for an easy holiday meal…

Roast Chicken – My Roast Chicken is an outstanding, juicy bird because I place my Garlic Herb Compound Butter under the skin making for crispy flavorful poultry!

Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham – Warmed in the Instant Pot with pineapple, ground pepper, clove and sumac and then glazed and finished under the boiler with pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and apple cider vinegar; talk about AMAZING!  This ham is sure to be a winner at your holiday table!

Beef Braciole – This roulade, aka filled meat roll, is full of a mixture of bread crumbs, parsley, basil, garlic and provolone cheese. Seared on all sides and simmered in a red sauce, this Braciole is melt in your mouth tender!

Beer Butt Chicken – If you’re looking for a fun afternoon project, a smoked Beer Butt Chicken is perfect!  Check out my recipe, which includes a great dry rub!

Meatloaf with Bacon Mushroom Gravy – Fancy meatloaf right here and definitely not your ma’s meatloaf 😉!

Beef Spiedini – The cousin to the Beef Braciole, Spiedini is tender rolled beef with breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese and is out of this world!

Moroccan Chicken & Onion Tagine (Djej Besla) – This dish is bright and full of incredible flavor!  If you love lemon, olives, onion, garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric and saffron, this dish is for you!

Pasta Specialties 

Pasta dishes are perfect for a holiday celebration… 

Chorizo Lasagna – Yummo, right here!  If you’re a lasagna and chorizo fan this recipe is for you!

Italian Gravy – This has the holidays written all over it, a slow simmering red sauce that’s perfect for pasta or your lasagna!

Chicken & Bacon Alfredo Stuffed Shells – This was our Christmas Eve meal last year and I’m still thinking about it.  I mean how can you go wrong with Chicken & Bacon Alfredo Stuffed Shells 😋!

Korean Short Rib Ragu with Pappardelle – One of the first dishes I made on this site and definitely worthy of a holiday meal.  Super tender short ribs with some delicious Korean spices!

Spinach Artichoke Chicken Lasagna – Again, like my Chicken & Bacon Alfredo Stuffed Shells, how can you wrong 😉!

Lobster Mac & Cheese – My brother created this deliciousness and it’s certainly a fancy style for a holiday, with that mac & cheese comfort!

Savory Pies

Savory pies deliver something special for the holidays…

Fish Pie – Fish in a creamy casserole, yes please! This Fish Pie includes white fish and salmon, which is poached in a mushroom onion cream sauce 😋.

Scotch Pies – A warm pastry filled with lamb and brown gravy greatness, check out this traditional Scottish pie!

I hope this post has inspired and if you try any of my recipes, please leave your feedback.  Have a safe, healthy and fabulous holiday and cheers 🥂!