It’s a law of nature that Southerners love sharing a meal with family, friends, and neighbors at pretty much any time of year. But during the holiday season we pull out all the stops, loading tables with festive dishes and traditional favorites that recall the flavor of Christmases past, then share them with our nearest and dearest. So what could be more appropriate than celebrating the quintessential flavors of a Louisiana holiday season while hosting a Progressive Dinner Party?
Progressive dinners have been a cherished American holiday tradition that has been observed for over a century. The premise is simple: each separate course is served at the home of a different host, with guests making their way from home to home as they “progress” between courses. The first host might offer cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, with other hosts following with entrees, dessert, and coffee and digestifs. The number of participating hosts (and homes) is up to the organizers, of course. “The only drawback,” as this charming newspaper clip from 1899 attests, is having “just so many dinner calls to make.”
The fun in throwing a progressive dinner is getting to experience the individual style, charm, and culinary flair of multiple hosts in the course of a single evening—a welcome contrast to a traditional restaurant dinner—and a wonderful way to meet neighbors and build community, too.
Photo credit: Chris Post
Natchitoches Meat Pies are a Louisiana original. This year, why not try making them at home?!
Feeling inspired to host your own progressive dinner but not sure where to start? This year, the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights—a neighborly group of towns and cities across central and north Louisiana, is joining forces to lead the way. Gathering signature dishes from landmark restaurants and standout chefs from across the region, participating towns have assembled a sample menu of lip-smacking Southern classics guaranteed to make any dinner party a flavorsome journey. Imagine welcoming holiday visitors with a Diamond Martini in hand, recipe courtesy of the Diamond Grill in Alexandria/Pineville. Next up, invite your guests to your table with the Cajun-seasoned Crawfish Boudin appetizer that made Monroe-West Monroe’s Jac’s Craft Smokehouse famous. From Shreveport-Bossier, Ms. Lila Davis’s luscious Creole Crab Bisque is as simple to make as it is delicious. You could try making golden, deep-fried Natchitoches Meat Pies at home with a little help from a refrigerated pie dough. Chef Jodie Martin’s recipe for Southern Greens Casserole will make a visit to her Geaux Fresh Bistro and Bakery in Minden a must. Bake a batch of Logansport’s famous Sunrise Cookies’ Jalapeño Cheese Bread to serve as a side dish, or double the recipe to have extra loaves to give as gifts. For dessert, you can’t beat a classic Ruston Peach Cobbler. Although beware … after your dinner guests taste it, you might never get them to leave!
Loganport's famous Jalapeño Cheese Bread recipe makes a perfect side dish for a progressive holiday dinner, or a delicious handmade gift to give.
To get started planning your own progressive dinner party, download the recipes and methods for all these delicious dishes HERE. Then, all that remains is to decide who to put on your guest list.
Looking to embrace the broadest-possible variety that this Christmas season has to offer? This month and next, Louisiana’s Holiday Trail of Lights is bringing a sleigh-full of holiday fun to towns around central and northern Louisiana. Shop local crafts and small businesses; spot Santa in communities large and small; and plan a personalized Holiday Trail of Lights road trip, a beloved family tradition that Louisianans have cherished every holiday season for more than 30 years, now.
