A traditional Southern Christmas dinner is to serve the turkey along with a honey baked ham and sides. Thanksgiving is usually just the turkey with side dishes. The following dishes can be served with the turkey and ham: collard greens, candied yams, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, corn bread dressing, cranberry sauce, giblet gravy, potato salad, sweet potato pie, pecan pie and red velvet cake. If you follow any of the links below they will take you an external site for the full recipe.

Roasted Turkey

Here is an easy roast turkey recipe that will make your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner complete.

“The Brown Hotel” Turkey

Inspired by 'The Brown Hotel' Turkey, this delicious recipe is from Louisville’s treasured landmark, the historic Brown Hotel. Did you know Americans consume about 17.6 pounds of turkey per person every year?

Ingredients:

• 15 pound thawed turkey with neck and gizzards removed
• 1 pound soft unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh garlic
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 teaspoons dried sage
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper

Method:

Remove neck and gizzards from turkey cavity, save if using them in the gravy.
Rinse turkey inside and out thoroughly and pat dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Season inside of turkey with salt and pepper (Note: it’s best to mix salt and pepper together before applying to turkey).
In a mixing bowl, place butter, garlic, and herbs together and mix well.
Place turkey in a roasting pan breast side up. Pull back wings and tuck them behind the turkey.
Coat the entire turkey with the butter mixture. Pull up the skin so you can apply the butter between the skin and the muscle. It’s ok to leave chunks of butter under the skin.
Place turkey on rack and place back in the roasting pan.
If you do not have a rack, you can use whole large carrots and half cut onions to prop up your turkey.
Place 2 cups of water in bottom of roasting pan and cover turkey loosely with aluminium foil. Cook at 350F / 180C degrees.
Baste turkey with juices from the pan and cook until the turkey reaches 170F/80C degrees internal temperature (approximately 3.5 hours).
Remove from oven and let rest 30 to 40 minutes before serving.

Mashed Potatoes

A delicious mashed potato recipe that is just so simple.

Honey baked ham

Year after year this honey baked ham recipe could prove to be your crowd pleaser.

Collard Greens

Make a savory pot of collard greens with this highly effective greens recipe.

Candied Yams

Candied yams (or sweet potatoes) so sweet and moist that they could be served as a dessert.

Macaroni and Cheese

This baked mac and cheese recipe will compliment all your other side dishes.

Potato Salad

A quick and easy but extremely delicious potato salad that goes very well alongside your turkey and ham.

Corn Bread Dressing

This corn bread dressing recipe beats stuffing any day of the week. A must have for any holiday that you serve turkey or ham. If you can't get hold of corn meal use maize flour or polenta.

Cranberry Sauce

A homemade cranberry sauce recipe that taste great with stuffing or corn bread dressing.

Giblet Gravy

Your corn bread dressing would be incomplete without this delicious homemade giblet gravy recipe.

Red Velvet Cake

An elegantly decorated Southern homemade red velvet cake. This cake will definitely get eaten, so don't expect leftovers.

Sweet Potato Pie

A traditional sweet potato recipe, with a delectable taste that your family & friends will enjoy.

Pecan Pie

An irresistible nutty dessert! You may have to substitute the corn syrup for golden syrup if you can't find in your local supermarket.

Beer Cheese Deviled Eggs

Beer Cheese Deviled Eggs are a twist on a staple at Kentucky holiday dinners. This recipe is from Wild Thyme Cooking School in Lexington, a premier culinary experience for kids and adults. Did you know the term "deviled", in reference to food, was in use in the 18th century and is used most often with spicy or zesty food.

Ingredients:

• 1 dozen hard-boiled eggs
• 1/4 cup of hot beer cheese sauce (prepared in advance - look can up on YouTube if you need a recipe)
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• Green onions, sliced diagonally (garnish)
• Paprika (optional, for dusting)

Method:
Slice hard boiled eggs in half and place yolks in a mixing bowl. Blend yolks with beer cheese, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, white pepper, salt and sugar. For fancy eggs, use a pastry bag with a star tip to pipe mixture into egg whites. A large baggie with a cut corner will produce a more rustic chic egg. Garnish eggs with green onions and paprika.

If you serve this whole Southern Thanksgiving/Christmas Menu your guests will definitely be snoozing in their chair afterwards. Happy cooking and we would love to hear if you make any of these recipes!! Email us...