The most special dinner of the year is approaching and with it the opportunity to dust off family recipe books to once again enjoy the dishes that grandmother prepared. Childhood flavours that bring back memories and toasts to remember.

Between Christmas, New Year’s, all the end-of-year celebrations, and Secret Santa, sometimes there’s little room for creativity. And there’s nothing wrong. These types of occasions invite you to revisit the family recipe book: an essential during these times. Returning to traditions, to those flavours that teleport us to childhood, is part of the magic that surrounds Christmas.

Regardless of the menu, Christmas dinner is about sharing with family and loved ones, with the aim of embodying the spirit of peace, love, harmony and prosperity that these dates bring. Probably, for this reason, the menus are based on preparations that consist of a single and highly appreciated piece that is then shared among all the diners, invoking the spirit of sharing. Unique pieces, generally turkey, chicken or red meat, prepared in long, somewhat elaborate cooking, which for the same reason are saved for special occasions.

These are some oven-baked preparations that are often repeated around the world, with certain twists of course, and their respective pairings.

Leg of lamb with herb crust

Thanks to the fact that this piece has bones, the result is a juicy and extremely tasty meat. The idea is to marinate it all night or at least eight hours, covering it with a herb paste (processing oregano, rosemary, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil). It is baked in the oven for about an hour and a half, but 45 minutes before, potatoes and leeks are added, which are cooked in the lamb juices. This delicious preparation must be enjoyed together with a red wine such as Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pork Loin

Those who like pork appreciate this cut for its juiciness and tenderness. The pork tenderloin is a noble piece that stands out for its small size, which can gain in volume and flavour if it is filled with nuts such as raisins or apricots that provide sweetness. Or following the Wellington recipe, covering it with Serrano ham, mushrooms and puff pastry. Both preparations go in the oven and pair very well with a wine like Amelia Pinot Noir.

Glazed Ham 

A large piece of caramelized ham with maple syrup or honey, also spiced with cloves, star anise or cinnamon, is a classic baked preparation in countries like England and Ireland for Christmas. They are the typical Christmas spices that are incorporated into savoury preparations to make the occasion more welcoming and warm, since the climate in these lands is cold on this date. For this type of preparation, a very fruity red wine like Marques de Casa Concha Syrah works very well with spiced meats.

Roasted turkey with applesauce

Turkey is a must this time of year, whether whole or just the breast, its lean and somewhat bland meat calls for using plenty of ingredients to add flavour. The apple is very common to create a sweet and sour mixture that works very well and is usually repeated every Christmas. Due to the sweet and sour taste of the apple, this dish complements very well with white wines such as Amelia Chardonnay or Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay.

Filet Mignon

Very elegant and traditional to serve on these dates is the Filet Mignon, one of the leanest and most tender cuts of beef. Ideally served medium rare so that it stays juicy, although it is a matter of taste, it can have a slice of bacon, mushroom sauce or a wine reduction. Either way, this tasty cut of meat pairs deliciously with Marques de Casa Concha Heritage, a very special Bordeaux blend for these dates.