Not Just Pork! Christmas Dish Recommendations from Our Chefs
2024-12-13T11:44:02
While blood sausages, roasted meat, and sauerkraut are among the most beloved dishes on Estonian Christmas tables, sometimes you crave something extraordinary alongside or even instead of these classics. We spoke with the executive chefs of Tallink hotels and restaurants to find out what exciting dishes we could serve this year. A little inspiration never hurts! And if you cannot imagine skipping the roast pork, why not experiment with plant-based or sweet dishes instead?
Epp Raudsepp, Executive Chef of Restaurant Tempo
Christmas – my favourite time of the year! In our family, the festive season begins on the first Advent with decorating the house, baking and decorating traditional gingerbread cookies, and even the older kids still find treats left by the Christmas elf in their stockings!
I don’t go overboard with Christmas table preparations, but there are a few staples that are always present. One of them is “kasukas” (a layered salad) and smoked sausage, creating a wonderful combination of colours on the table, and herring with marinated red onions and sour cream. We also always have homemade pickled cucumbers, various lechos, and pickled mushrooms. For snacks, there’s a platter of ham, sausage, and smoked cheese.
Our family’s traditional Christmas main course is duck stuffed with sauerkraut and apples, served with boiled potatoes and a duck gravy. For dessert, we usually have fresh fruits like mandarins, gingerbread, and dried fruit kissel topped with cinnamon-flavoured whipped cream. There’s also a sour cream cake with berries we’ve found in the freezer. It might not be fancy, but there’s charm in simplicity…
Thuleewan Boonyarattana, Executive Chef of restaurant NOK NOK
What alternatives to traditional roasted pork would you recommend for the Christmas dinner?
Roasted pork rolled in crispy bacon, served with mashed potatoes and sweet apple puree, and garnished with buttered asparagus.
How can the Christmas menu be adapted for vegetarians?
You can make vegetable steak from daikon, sweet potatoes or beetroot – cut them into 2×1 inch squares and roast them. Also make brown sauce from pure vegetable stock.
How can roasted pork and sauerkraut be made more modern or interesting?
Slice and bake a pork roll in the oven, let the rim get nice and brownish before gravy topping and serve!
What desserts would you recommend for the Christmas table?
Apple crumble or pear crumble with ice cream, garnished with mint leaves and berries.
How can Christmas dishes be decorated to look especially stylish and impressive?
Use a black plate and garnish the dish with red berries and green broccoli.
What dish is always found on your family’s Christmas table, without which it would not feel complete?
Sausages!
Anatolijs Pimanovs, Executive Chef of restaurant City Grill House
What alternatives to traditional roasted pork would you recommend for the Christmas dinner?
In my family, since my childhood, there has been a duck baked in the oven stuffed with sauerkraut on the table.
How can the Christmas menu be adapted for vegetarians?
Roasted root vegetables with rosemary, sage and garlic. Roasted eggplant with tomatoes, herbs, chickpeas and walnuts
How can roasted pork and sauerkraut be made more modern or interesting?
It is a classic Christmas dish that many people expect to see on the table, and I believe that it should look classic and well cooked, that is the secret to a good Christmas.
What desserts would you recommend for the Christmas table?
This could be a favourite home-made pie. It can be simply prepared in a special way, with the addition of Christmas spices, orange zest, raisins and pecans. When serving, moisten it with rum diluted with sugar syrup.
How can Christmas dishes be decorated to look especially stylish and impressive?
To create a festive atmosphere, red colours should predominate on the table. Food can be decorated with wild berries, nuts, dried cloves, anise stars, cinnamon sticks, tangerines and, of course candles.
What dish is always found on your family’s Christmas table, without which it wouldn’t feel complete?
As I said, there will definitely be roast duck on our Christmas table!
Jekaterina Akimova, Executive Chef of restaurant Elements
What alternatives to traditional roasted pork would you recommend for the Christmas dinner?
Roast duck is an excellent alternative to pork, offering a rich, intense flavour. It pairs wonderfully with fruit-based sauces like orange or cherry and fresh herbs. Duck meat is juicy and sophisticated, making it a standout choice for a festive main course.
Lamb is another luxurious option, bringing a unique flavour profile that sets it apart from pork. Roasted with rosemary, garlic, and winter spices, lamb creates a memorable centerpiece for holiday dinners, perfect for those looking to serve something distinct.
Roast turkey is, of course, a classic choice. It can be prepared with vegetables and herbs and is complemented beautifully by creamy sauces, such as cranberry or mushroom. In our family, we often prefer roast duck or turkey served with homemade lingonberry sauce.
How can the Christmas menu be adapted for vegetarians?
Savory pies with fillings like mushrooms, asparagus, cabbage, or potatoes. Other variations can include herbs, cheese, or nuts for extra flavour.
Use tofu or seitan to create a vegetarian main dish resembling a traditional roast. Incorporate nuts, herbs, and vegetables to enhance the flavour and texture.
Delight guests with salads featuring crisp vegetables, fruits, and nuts like walnuts or almonds for added crunch.
Offer vegetarian-friendly desserts, such as gingerbread, fruit cakes, or chocolate cakes. Using plant-based ingredients can make these treats fully vegan.
A vegetarian Christmas menu can be both traditional and creative, ensuring a rich array of flavours and aromas that everyone will enjoy, regardless of their dietary choices.
How can roasted pork and sauerkraut be made more modern or interesting?
To add a contemporary twist to roast pork and sauerkraut, consider innovative techniques, marinades, and plating styles, like:
Sous-vide cooking: prepare pork using the sous-vide method to achieve unmatched tenderness. Finish with a quick sear or grill for a crispy crust.
Modern marinades: enhance traditional flavours with fresh touches like mint, lemon zest, or orange glaze. Experiment with honey-mustard or blueberry-pomegranate glazes for a bold update.
Tapas-style portions: instead of serving a large roast, slice the pork into smaller portions or bites, plating them as tapas with creative sides.
Plant-based alternatives: Swap out pork for vegetarian substitutes like seitan or soy steak, seasoned and cooked to mimic the classic dish.
For sauerkraut:
Add modern ingredients like pomegranate seeds, sunflower seeds, or a garlic-paprika marinade for depth.
Create a sauerkraut pesto with nuts, olive oil, garlic, and spices for a fresh take on the traditional side.
Fermentation twists: Add ginger, apple cider vinegar, or fresh apples to diversify the flavours.
Try a sweet version by mixing sauerkraut with apples, cranberries, or raisins for a delightful contrast.
Add visual appeal with microgreens or edible flowers, and pair with sides inspired by global cuisines, like Korean kimchi or Japanese pickled vegetables.
What desserts would you recommend for the Christmas table?
Chocolate treats: Truffles or chocolate-covered nuts and dried fruits are simple yet festive classics. They can be homemade and decorated for the occasion.
Gingerbread cheesecake or layered desserts are indulgent choices that feel perfect for the season. Personally, I plan to serve cardamom cupcakes paired with rum-soaked pears and mandarin sauce this year.
How can Christmas dishes be decorated to look especially stylish and impressive?
Use traditional Christmas colors: red, green, white, and gold to create a festive visual appeal in your dishes. Garnish with berries like pomegranates or cranberries for vibrant pops of color and texture. Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or lavender add not only flavour but also visual elegance. Add a festive touch with lingonberry or cranberry clusters for colour and seasonal charm.
What dish is always found on your family’s Christmas table, without which it wouldn’t feel complete?
In our family, we always have a stuffed roast – typically turkey or duck. It’s a traditional dish that is both delicious and symbolises the warmth of family gatherings. The stuffing often includes vegetables and herbs, and for a creative twist, we sometimes add dried fruits or nuts. Served with homemade lingonberry sauce and freshly baked herb bread, it is the heart of our Christmas celebration and a dish we simply cannot do without.
Karlis Rudolfs Aise, Executive Chef of Ristorante Flavore
What alternatives to traditional roasted pork would you recommend for the Christmas dinner?
I would recommend trying beef cheeks in red wine sauce with some root vegetables and potato gratin on the side. Add a bit more cinnamon and star anise to the sauce to make it taste a bit more like Christmas.
How can the Christmas menu be adapted for vegetarians?
I would go with some nice vegetarian lasagna. Using spinach and definitely mushrooms is my choice – the ones you picked yourself earlier this year, of course!
How can roasted pork and sauerkraut be made more modern or interesting?
Try to make porchetta if you like to challenge yourself a bit. Be very generous with seasonings – thyme, rosemary and fennel. It is going be the star of the evening!
What desserts would you recommend for the Christmas table?
I think a nice option is some dark, sweet cherries marinated in syrup that has been infused with your favourite Christmas spices. On the side serve homemade vanilla ice cream or mascarpone cream with fresh vanilla.
How can Christmas dishes be decorated to look especially stylish and impressive?
I think you should decorate the surroundings to get a nice Christmas atmosphere. Use real spruce branches on the table, candles, pine cones and other things you can find and make a composition spreading from the middle of the table. If you can, put real moss under the plates!
What dish is always found on your family’s Christmas table, without which it wouldn’t feel complete?
Juicy roasted pork.
Ando Lill, Executive Chef of Restaurant Nero
What alternatives to traditional roasted pork would you recommend for the Christmas dinner?
I definitely recommend duck served with red cabbage and a plum-wine sauce!
How can the Christmas menu be adapted for vegetarians?
Simply leave out all animal products, and you’ll have a fully plant-based Christmas table! There are plenty of options – for example, ginger-curry rice, cinnamon-braised red cabbage, or a lightly spiced green pea stir-fry. For dessert, I suggest a pear poached in mulled wine, served with an oat-vanilla sauce.
How can roasted pork and sauerkraut be made more modern or interesting?
Pork is simple to elevate! Take pork belly, season it with crushed onions, garlic, and strong local mustard, and let it marinate for 12 hours. Then remove the onion, season the meat with salt and pepper, cover it with foil, and bake it in the oven at 130°C for four hours. After that, remove the foil, brush the meat with BBQ and blackcurrant mop sauce, and bake for another 15 minutes at 220°C.
For the sauerkraut, experiment with different spices or serve it completely raw – you’ll be surprised! A great salad option is a vinaigrette-style dish: mix sauerkraut with beetroot, olive oil, parsley, apple cider vinegar, salt, sugar, and pepper. I highly recommend using Kongo Farm sauerkraut – you won’t regret it!
What desserts would you recommend for the Christmas table?
A homemade cake is a must! For example, carrot cream cheesecake, Napoleon cake, or even a trifle made with curd mousse, gingerbread, and lingonberry preserves.
How can Christmas dishes be decorated to look especially stylish and impressive?
Use your imagination and plate the dishes in a visually appealing way. For decoration, incorporate various herbs and greens, cinnamon sticks, star anise, pink peppercorns…
What dish is always found on your family’s Christmas table, without which it wouldn’t feel complete?
We always have blood sausage, sauerkraut, lingonberry sauce, and, of course, fish and several different green salads on our Christmas table.
We wish everyone enjoyable experiments and exciting experiences in the kitchen and at the holiday table!