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Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas by taking your family on a worldwide adventure without leaving the dinner table.
By Kris Anne Bonifacio
On the first day of Christmas, serve a hearty bowl of this traditional Mexican soup to warm up your family.
Makes: 8 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 16 minutes
Slow Cook: 4 hours 30 minutes on HIGH or 6 hours 30 minutes on LOW
Head to the shores of the Mediterranean for the second day of Christmas and try some Greek dolmades.
Makes: 4 dozen
Prep: 50 minutes
Cook: 1 hour 5 minutes
For the third day of Christmas, treat your guests to an Italian favorite and serve these biscotti with some coffee.
Makes: 3 servings (1 dozen biscotti)
Prep: 15 minutes
Bake: 35 minutes
Let your slow cooker do most of the work for the fourth day of Christmas with this pot roast, one of Germany's best-known dishes.
Makes: 10 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Chill: overnight
Slow Cook: 6 hours on HIGH or 8 hours on LOW
This wintertime favorite from Alsatian region of France packs a punch for the fifth day as it combines a variety of ethnic flavors: Italian seasoning, German sauerkraut and Polish sausage.
Makes: 8 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 4 hours on HIGH or 8 hours 30 minutes on LOW
Fish is a popular Christmastime dish for many Europeans, with many opting to save the meat for the big day. On the sixth day, try this Italian variation on the tradition.
Makes: 4 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Bake: 1 hour
Spice up the seventh day of Christmas with this fried plantains dish that hails from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Makes: 6 servings (1 tostone)
Prep: 10 minutes
Bake: 20 minutes
On the eighth day of Christmas, heat up the oven and bake this American twist on the Austrian classic dessert.
Makes: 30 servings
Prep: 25 minutes
Bake: 50 minutes
Christmas isn't complete without the fruitcake, and this Christstollen is a holiday staple in Germany—it's similar to the Dutch Kerststol and the Italian panettone. Serve a loaf of this delicious treat on the ninth day.
Makes: 3 stollen (8 servings each)
Prep: 30 minutes
Rise: 3 hours
Bake: 35 minutes
Your family will be lords-a-leaping for joy when they get a taste of this Bûche de Noël recipe. The tenth day of Christmas will be holly and jolly indeed with this French dessert.
Makes: 12 servings
Prep: 25 minutes
Freeze: 6 hours
Bake: 16 minutes
On the eleventh day of Christmas, you'll fall in love with this meringue. Though named for the famous Russian ballet dancer, the Pavlova comes from down under—it's a popular holiday treat in Australia and New Zealand.
Makes: 8 servings
Prep: 20 minutes
Cool: 1 hour
Bake: 1 hour
Cook: 3 minutes
And for the grand finale—12 drummers drumming, a roll, please—a holiday tradition from across the pond. It will be a silent night indeed as this British savory treat keeps your guests' mouths full.
Makes: 8 servings
Prep: 30 minutes
Bake: 1 hour 10 minutes










