The holidays have arrived and our foodies at The Olive Tap want all of our loyal customers to have a few Christmas and Chanukah menu ideas to make your holiday foods even more tasty and enjoyable for you and all of your guests.  Please read on to check out our Tasty Holiday Meals...

Holiday Appetizers for Christmas or Chanukah Menus

We have selected a few of our elegant and easy appetizer ideas to mix up your menu and are also appropriate if you are tasked with "bringing a holiday appetizer".  Our appetizer recommendations are just part of the planning for your very own tasty holiday meals and menus this season!

Truffled Deviled Eggs

Our gourmet Truffle Olive Oil is the secret ingredient which will arouse everyone's palate and foodie curiosity. Share and have your guests try to guess the non-traditional gourmet ingredient! Features The Olive Tap's White Truffle Oil and Sweet Smoked Spanish Paprika! If you like it hot, try our Smoked Spanish Paprika Hot...be careful with the shake!

Vegetable Pasty Purses

An excellent recipe for adaptation based your your favorite veggies and/or food preferences for your guest list. It is excellent to serve as a lighter appetizer before a heavier Christmas or Chanukah Dinner Menu or as a part of a Holiday Breakfast Brunch. Features The Olive Tap's Italiano 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or any medium bodied 100% EVOO).  

Prosciutto & Brie Flatbread

Add traditional Christmas color and flavor with a hearty, explosion of flavors for the holidays. For a colorful Chanukah appropriate adaptation, skip the Proscuitto and try Lamb Proscuitto or skip the Proscuitto completely. The recipe already has a complexity of flavors and also features The Olive Tap's Tuscan Herb Olive Oil. 

Entree Ideas for Christmas or Chanukah Meals

The entree, or focal point of many holiday meals, should include "tasty consideration". We have selected a variety of proven recipes as part of this tasty holiday meals featured article. Pick your favorites for your very own holiday menu.

Sweet & Savory Roasted Chicken with Wild Rice

Your guests will get in the holiday spirit and savor this succulently sweet Chicken recipe featuring The Olive Tap's Cranberry Pear Balsamic Vinegar and Herbes de Provence Olive Oil (or Holiday Herb Olive Oil). Holiday flavors are abound with this easy, festive recipe. 

Chef Katie's Black Currant Pork Tenderloin  

Rich Black Currant Balsamic Vinegar and Roasted Garlic Olive Oil are featured in one of our favorite holiday recipes of all time! While our kosher friends will skip this one, it is still a simple, elegant recipe which can also be adapted with other sweet Balsamic Vinegars and/or Olive Oils. A great flavor profile on Beef Tenderloin as well.  Check out this other holiday favorite recipe... Beef Tenderloin with Balsamic Cranberry Wine Sauce.

Glazed Blackberry Ginger Salmon Filets

The Blackberry Ginger Balsamic Vinegar is superb when paired with The Olive Tap's Citrus Habanero Olive Oil (for lovers of a little kick) or one of our traditional oils, Blood Orange Olive Oil. The glaze and toasted pecans finish out this recipe with both a unique sweetness and texture. For an impactful holiday finish, garnish each filet with a fresh slice of Blood Oranges.

Side Dishes for Holiday Flair at Christmas or Chanukah Meals

At the holidays, certainly for Christmas Meals or Chanukah Meals, the side dishes can often become the star of the menu! Here are a few of our favorite side dishes we love as part of tasty holiday meals. 

Roasted Asparagus Parmesan with Balsamic Glaze

A five ingredient, easy recipe is always appreciated during the holidays and this recipe is no exception. Swap out your traditional asparagus recipe and try this recipe featuring The Olive Tap's 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil (medium bodied) and Aceto Balsamico di Modena Riserva. For more complex flavor, you can use one of our Flavored Olive Oils too, suggestions include Roasted Garlic Olive Oil, Sorrento Lemon Olive Oil, Herbes de Provence Olive Oil and more. Be sure to make enough as we have found guests coming back for second servings!

Kale Greens with Sweet Potatoes and Bacon Vinaigrette

A traditional North Carolina dish of wilted Kale Greens with Bacon Vinaigrette, features with warm bacon, and Smoky Bacon and Orange Olive Oils and Apple Cider Vinegar and more. It's not only colorful but complex in both taste and texture. 

Mixed Greens Holiday Salad

Just as the name implies, this salad is an excellent choice for either Christmas or Chanukah Holiday Meals. It features one of our favorite "Perfect Pairings" as a vinaigrette, Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar and Sorrento Lemon Olive Oil or Meyer Lemon Olive Oil. Simply delish!

Christmas and Chanukah Holiday Desserts to Crave

Often the holidays are about the traditional, generations known family recipes of various desserts. This year, round out your tasty holiday menus these new and decadent recipes.

Lemon Almond Cake

A delicious cake with the rich taste of citrus and almonds with a lovely light texture and moisture from The Olive Tap's Sorrento Lemon Olive Oil (feel free to substitute Meyer Lemon Olive OIl).

Blood Orange Flourless Chocolate Torte

One of our chef inspired recipes from Antonio Bertke, Professional Chef in Chicago, Illinois. Antonio raved about the results of using Olive Oil in place of butter! It will call all "Chocolate Lovers" to the dessert table fast!

Lime Olive Oil Yogurt Cakes with Pomegranate Balsamic Whipped Cream

Rich and moist cakes featuring The Olive Tap's Persian Lime Olive Oil are topped with delicious Pomegranate Whipped Cream to create a unique "holiday cupcake". As pictured, we also like to top off the cream with fresh Pomegranate Arils (optional).

Tasty Holiday Meals for Christmas and Chanukah

Whether you are hosting Christmas or Chanukah, we hope we have inspired you and your holiday menu planning with a few new recipe ideas. As always, you can create even more tasty holiday meals by adapting the recipes for your personal taste preferences. Be inspired the flavors you love, for example, if you love Raspberries, why not substitute or Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar instead of Pomegranate. Be creative and let us know your adaptations and ideas!

Bon Appetito!