Who eats ham on Christmas?

Eating ham for Christmas seems old school—because it is. Not only is it the centerpiece of the prototypical Dickensian Christmas, it’s said to have its roots in ancient pagan ritual. A wild boar was supposedly the sacrifice of choice to the Norse god Freyr, who is associated with harvest and phallic fertility.

Can I cook vegetables the day before?

Vegetables. Whether you are cooking a vegetable on its own or to be mixed with other ingredients (e.g., a stir-fry or soup), you can prep it in advance. By “prep,” I mean wash, dry, peel (if appropriate), and cut up. You can also blanch vegetables 1 to 2 days in advance and store in the refrigerator.

What side dishes go well with a ham?

Green beans, collard or mustard greens, cabbage, cauliflower,carrots and potatoes all go well with ham. Scalloped potatoes or Au gratin potatoes are especially good with ham. Sweet potatoes or yams are another good choice to accompany a ham that is smoked or not sweetened with a heavy glaze.

What are the best sides to serve with ham?

Vegetable dishes that pair well with ham include asparagus cooked with Parmesan, fresh steamed green beans topped with crushed nuts and crunchy salad toppings, sauteed tomatoes and squash, or creamed pearl onions flavored with bacon. Other simple side dishes include corn with butter, steamed peas, dinner rolls,…

What are some good side dishes for dinner?

Side Dishes. The role of the side dish is to round out and complete the meal. Simple side dishes complement a bold entree. Or, spice up a plain dinner with flavorful sides. We have tons of side dishes to peruse. Great choices include mashed potatoes, risotto, bok choy, French fries, cornbread stuffing, couscous, green beans, hush puppies and more.

What dessert goes with ham dinner?

Just Desserts. Just about any dessert works well on a ham dinner menu. Consider a cheesecake, either with toppings, such as cherry or strawberry, or with flavor baked right in such as a chocolate, hazelnut or coffee cheesecake. Fruit pies, lemon meringue pie and cream pies, such as coconut or chocolate cream also pair well.