Holidays are the perfect time to create and enjoy tasty dishes. That’s why we’ve gathered some of our favorite Asian-inspired recipes, including appetizers, main courses, side dishes and desserts. These unique and delicious recipes will surely make a statement at the dinner table. Read on for all the tasty details!
Asian-Inspired Holiday Appetizer Ideas
You’ll want to give your guests something tasty to munch on as they eagerly await holiday dinner. That’s where these delicious Asian-inspired appetizers come in handy. Consider making one or more of these hors d’oeuvres for your upcoming gathering:
Eastern Tamari-Roasted Nuts
When it comes time to serve up holiday appetizers with an Asian spin or make gifts for your guests, never underestimate the power of roasted nuts.
When whipping up these Eastern Tamari-roasted nuts, we like to combine walnut halves, pecan halves and whole cashews. Get creative and customize with more or less variety.
Start by blanching the nuts and adding sugar and oil. Roast them, turning them every 10 minutes until browned and crispy. Transfer to a bowl and toss with a whole slew of seasonings, including San-J Tamari Soy Sauce. Spread them into a single layer to cool, then store them in an airtight container — preferably a large jar with a ribbon tied around the rim to share with your favorite foodie friend. Alternatively, try out roasted tamari almonds recipe for an appetizer.
Shrimp Cocktail With Tamari Honey Dipping Sauce
Nothing gets a holiday party going quite like a shrimp cocktail appetizer. This shrimp cocktail with Tamari honey dipping sauce is quick, easy and fun to make.
Combine honey, ginger, chili garlic sauce and San-J Tamari Lite in a small saucepan. Boil the mixture for about two minutes or until thick, then let it cool. Pour your dipping sauce into a serving bowl alongside a platter of cooked shrimp, and you’ve got a tasty appetizer for your seafood-loving guests.
Asian-Inspired Holiday Dinner Ideas
Deciding what to serve your guests during the holidays can be a challenge, but we’re here to help. If you’re looking for nontraditional Christmas Eve dinner ideas, here are some delicious Asian-inspired holiday dinner recipes to try out:
Polynesian Glazed Ham
You’re just two ingredients away from the star of your holiday table — this Polynesian glazed ham. All you need is about half of a bottle of San-J Sweet & Tangy Sauce and half of a ham. Put them together and this gluten-free holiday recipe will make you whole! Or at the very least, it’ll make everyone wonder what your secret is.
The flavor of the sauce perfectly complements the ham while ensuring a nice glaze to prevent the meat from drying out. There is a bit of effort involved in the timing to add more sauce throughout the cooking time, but it’s so worth it. If you would rather serve up turkey, we have the perfect brine to bring out delicious flavors.
Turkey-Stuffed Pork Loin
Everyone knows turkey is a classic Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, but this turkey-stuffed pork loin takes it to a delicious new level. This recipe features a mixture of cream cheese, nutmeg, spinach and turkey sausage, all stuffed into a boneless pork loin seasoned with salt and pepper.
Brush the pork with a mixture of San-J Tamari Soy Sauce and maple syrup, then bake until the meat reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Bringing this feast out to the table will surely impress your family and friends — and chances are it won’t last long.
Asian-Inspired Holiday Side Dish Ideas
While having a superb main course is essential, you’ll also need a delicious side dish to accompany your Asian-inspired holiday food spread. Here are two excellent recipes to consider:
Pecan Orange Sweet Potatoes
If you like the traditional sweet potato casserole — the one with the marshmallows — try this one, which trades the marshmallows for a sweet pecan topping. These pecan orange sweet potatoes will be a perfect conversation topic for the dinner table with your guests.
Blend cooked sweet potatoes with San-J Orange Sauce, brown sugar, vanilla extract and eggs. Then, mix pecans with orange sauce and brown sugar to create a simple topping. It all gets baked to sweet perfection.
If you want to simplify the recipe, skip the steps of peeling and cooking the sweet potatoes by swapping them with a can of sweet potato puree.
Orange Cranberry Quinoa Salad
Lighten up the meal with this side dish that you can serve warm, cold or at room temperature. The classic seasonal flavors of orange and cranberry are the main components of this recipe.
To make this orange cranberry quinoa salad, combine cooked quinoa with San-J Orange Sauce and a medley of textures and flavors. Pistachios offer the crunch, dried cranberries lend a tart and sweet chewiness, red onion sharpens the flavor, mint leaves freshen it up, and black pepper rounds it out with a bit of spice. This is a perfect dish if you’re looking for easy gluten-free holiday entertaining.
The instructions are as simple as can be — stir to combine.
Asian-Inspired Holiday Dessert Ideas
If you’re serving Chinese food for holiday appetizers, entrees and side dishes, it only makes sense to add an Asian-inspired holiday dessert to the menu, as well. Here are two dishes to sweeten up any holiday gathering:
Thai Peanut Bars
Grab your apron and your sweet tooth! These Thai peanut bars are a nice addition to any cookie swap. They’re easy to customize — try almond butter and almonds instead of peanut butter and peanuts. Alternatively, use cashew butter and cashews. Maybe even a blend of your favorites.
Start by mixing the wet ingredients including San-J Thai Peanut Sauce, mixing the dry ingredients, then stirring them all together. Stir in the chopped peanuts and refrigerate the dough.
Then, you’ll form the dough into two rectangles and brush them with egg white before baking. After they’ve baked and cooled, slice and share. Don’t forget a glass of egg nog or some cashew milk.
Chocolate Pecan Pie
One slice of this smooth, rich chocolate pecan pie will instantly have everyone swooning. Top it off with a cool dollop of homemade whipped cream to set the dessert bar even higher.
Start by microwaving chocolate chips and butter until they’re melted. Add a splash of San-J Tamari Soy Sauce, then let the mixture cool for a bit. In a separate bowl, whisk together four eggs, maple syrup, vanilla extract, brown sugar and cocoa powder. Add it to the chocolate and butter mixture, then pour it all into a premade, gluten-free pie crust.
Top the pie with pecan halves, then bake it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. To make the whipped cream, whisk together vanilla extract, heavy whipping cream and Tamari. Put it in a serving dish beside the pie, then let guests slice and scoop.
Enjoy Our Asian-Inspired Dinner Ideas for Your Holiday Meal
We hope you’ve gathered some inspiration from our alternative Christmas dinner ideas. In addition to these Asian-Inspired Holiday recipes, you can search our full collection of recipes for more delicious dishes. We have recipes for every course, occasion and special diet.
If you need high-quality ingredients to craft your holiday recipes, browse our product selection for Tamari soy sauce, shoyu sauce, Asian cooking sauces and more. Our sauces are umami-rich and certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization, making them a flavorful, diet-friendly addition to your seasonal dishes.
Happy holidays and recipe hunting from San-J!
