Selena Gomez started her culinary education in 2020 on her new series for HBO Max, Selena + Chef. Gomez invites chefs to visit her home kitchen to teach her their signature recipes and upgrade her skills in the kitchen. Though it is often alarming to witness Selena’s efforts at chopping and slicing go almost awry, her increased comfort preparing the dishes over time adds a rewarding aspect to the series.
Selena + Chef took a festive turn in Season 5, inviting four chefs to teach Gomez their favorite recipes for the holiday season. The Selena + Chef: Home For the Holidays episodes have plenty of great tips on how to prepare for several holiday scenarios, from a tree-trimming buffet, to Christmas feasts, and New Year’s brunch. Joined by chefs Alex Guarnaschelli, Michael Symon, Claudette Zepeda, and Eric Adjepong, Gomez learns everything she needs to feed her friends and family throughout the holiday season.
From a spread for an evening spent decorating, to a festive Christmas dinner, or cheery holiday brunch, Selena + Chef has you covered. One of the great things about the series is how the professionals walk the novice chef through preparing the meal. It is a great instructional guide for anyone interested in attempting these culinary challenges for themselves. For those interested in taking a crack at these holiday recipes, here are the 10 best from Selena + Chef: Home For the Holidays.
10 Chocolate Candy Cane Bark
S5 EP01 – Chef Alex Guarnaschelli
The great thing about this recipe is its versatility. Chef Guarnaschelli put a spin on a classic almond bark to pair chocolate and candy canes for a festive twist. Choose your favorite chocolate, nuts, or holiday candies and mix and match to your heart’s content with this easy recipe. Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s easy to experiment and make your own holiday-themed treat. Another great thing about making candy cane bark is the recipe is simple enough that you can involve the kids, with supervision. Throw on a classic holiday film like How the Grinch Stole Christmas and get the family together to assemble this tasty holiday treat!
Candy Cane Bark Ingredients:
- 1 pound dark chocolate, broken or chopped
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
- 8 ounces lightly crushed candy canes
9 Ricotta Cavatelli With Spicy Lobster Tomato Sauce
S5 EP 02 – Chef Michael Symon
This intermediate level recipe was introduced by Chef Symon on Selena + Chef as one of several fish dishes that Italian Americans prepare in a tradition known as the “Feast of the Seven Fishes.” And if you want to simplify the dish by skipping the steps where you are asked to make your own pasta, and instead, substitute those easy dry good noodles we all know and love… there is no judgment here. Because the star of this dish is absolutely going to be the sauce. Another step can be simplified if you want to substitute some thawed lobster tails or crab rather than dealing with the live crawlers. There is no shame in that game either. The pomodoro lobster sauce creates a hearty dish of pasta that will work well for any dinner hosted throughout the holidays.
Pomodoro Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 2 small onions finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Kosher salt & finely ground pepper
- 1/2 tsp – 1 tsp of chile flakes (to taste)
- 2 28 ounce cans of whole peeled tomatoes
- Small bundle of fresh oregano
- Small bundle of fresh thyme
- 4 tbs unsalted butter (1/2 stick), softened
- Whole basil leaves, to garnish
- Parmesan, for grating
8 Roasted Ham With Salsa Macha
S5 EP 03 – Chef Claudette Zepeda
For this intermediate recipe, remember the first step is to pre-heat the oven! And then the focus goes to the salsa macha, which is what elevates this gorgeous roasted ham dish. The roasted ham with salsa macha was the centerpiece of the Mexican holiday feast chef Zepeda helped Gomez put together. There are some dishes on the list where it’s easy to cut some corners if you want to simplify the dish, but the salsa macha is not that. Put on your favorite Netflix holiday movie, like Our Little Secret, while things get spicy in the kitchen.
Salsa Macha Ingredients:
- 4 cups grapeseed oil
- 4 chiles de árbol, stemmed
- 8 ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 6 garlic cloves sliced thin
- 1/2 cup raw Spanish peanuts
- 2 cups honey
- Kosher salt
7 Smoked Bistecca Alla Fiorentina
S5 EP 02 – Chef Michael Symon
This easy recipe is for the chef in your life that lives to use a charcoal grill. Chef Symon paired this smoky steak with the spicy lobster cavatelli for a surf and turf Christmas Eve dinner. He seemed like the kind of guy who wouldn’t mind turning on a holiday classic like Die Hard for a little Christmas cheer. Whether you are comfortable using a smoker or not, this steak rub and pan sauce recipe will serve you well this festive season.
Steak Ingredients:
- 2 tbs rosemary, chopped & 1 bunch for brushing
- 1 tbs Aleppo pepper
- 1 tbs brown sugar
- 1 tbs garlic powder
- Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper
- Two 2 1/2 lbs prime dry-aged porterhouse steaks
- Extra virgin olive oil
Pan Sauce Ingredients:
- 5 tbs unsalted butter, chilled
- 12 sprigs thyme
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 tbs aged balsamic vinegar
6 Black Pepper Roast Beef & Gravy
S5 EP01 – Chef Alex Guarnaschelli
This easy holiday recipe is perfect for a big gathering with family or friends, a certain crowd pleaser. Chef Guarnaschelli blessed the Selena + Chef audience by walking Gomez through the preparation of this classic roast recipe, and added a healthy twist by thickening her gravy with roasted vegetables. During a season of decadence, the occasional carrot, even in the form of a delicious gravy drizzle, can go a long way. And once again, remember to pre-heat that oven!
Roast Beef Ingredients:
- 1 lrg beef top round, 8 to 10 lbs, or smaller, if desired
- Flaky sea salt
- 1/4 cup coarsley ground black pepper
- 2 large heads of garlic, halved
- Olive oil
Gravy Ingredients:
- 3 cups enriched beef stock
- 3 tbs Dijon mustard
- 1 tbs red wine vinegar
5 Malva Pudding
S5 EP 04 – Chef Eric Adjepong
This easy malva pudding recipe is the perfect sweet treat for any holiday brunch. Chef Adjepong taught Gomez how to whip up this quick and tasty dessert, and his instructions are a great lesson on how to create your own glazed malva marvel. The nice thing about this recipe is that you can easily switch up the fruits and berries to suit your preference, and it’s such a classic that once you master the basics, you can get creative really easily.
Malva Pudding Ingredients:
- Nonstick baking spray, for the cake pan
- 3/4 cup & 2 tbs all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 lrg eggs
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbs unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp apricot jam
Glaze Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 6 tbs cold unsalted butter, diced
- 3 tbs water
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
Macerated Strawberries Ingredients:
- 1 lb strawberries, hulled and sliced in 4
- 1/2 cup sliced dried apricots
- 2 tbs sugar, plus extra as needed
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 pinch kosher salt, optional
4 Mashed Potatoes “Chantilly”
S5 EP01 – Chef Alex Guarnaschelli
No holiday dinner is complete without at least one mouth-watering potato dish. Chef Guarnaschelli gave Gomez and her friends a lesson in decadence by introducing them to her easy recipe for mashed potatoes “chantilly.” Introducing whipped cream to the classic mashed potato and baking it into a puffy potato soufflé is such a delightful idea that it will soon become a staple in your potato wheelhouse. Put on your favorite holiday comfort film like Home Alone as you and your loved ones dig into a delightful holiday feast.
Mashed Potatoes Chantilly Ingredients:
- 4 1/2 to 5 lbs of Idaho Russett potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- Kosher salt
- 3/4 cup to 1 cup whole milk
- 1 stick plus 1 tbs unsalted butter, sliced
- 2 tbs panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup finely grated Parmesan
3 Buñuelos With Cinnamon Sugar
S5 EP 03 – Chef Claudette Zepeda
Batter Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbs granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp ground star anise
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 2 lrg eggs
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbs of milk
- 1 tbs of vegetable oil, plus more for frying
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 orange, zested
Cinnamon Sugar Mix Ingredients:
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 3 tbs ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
2 Mozzarella Sticks With Creamy Tomato Sauce
S5 EP01 – Chef Alex Guarnaschelli
These tasty appetizers are sure to be a crowd pleaser! Your friends and family will be calling for them at every family gathering, holiday or not. The intermediate recipe may seem intimidating, but chef Guarnaschelli guides Gomez through the process with such ease, after watching the episode you’ll feel like a pro. Serve these decadent little dippers while you and your besties gather together to binge The Great British Bake-Off, to impress your in-laws, or to keep the kiddos happy on Christmas Eve.
Tomato Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 med yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 lrg cloves of garlc, minced
- Kosher salt
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- One 14.5-ounce can of whole, peeled tomatoes
- 1/4 cup heavy cream, room temperature
Sticks Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 lrg eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 12 mozzarella cheese sticks
- Kosher salt
- Canola oil (for frying)
1 Scallops Benedict With Piri Piri Hollandaise
S5 EP04 – Eric Adjepong
Is there anything better than a holiday eggs benedict brunch? Chef Adjepong elevated this breakfast staple by adding succulent golden scallops and braised leeks into the mix. Even if you prefer to keep your eggs benedict on the classic side, the Piri Piri hollandaise recipe is a nice way to kick up the spice level. Cuddle up and get cozy with this dish while you get New Year nostalgic with a classic film like When Harry Met Sally.
Piri Piri Sauce Ingredients:
- 3 to 5 garlic cloves
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 1/2 tsp paprika
- 3 to 5 Piri chilis or Thai chilis
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, stems and leaves
- 1/2 lrg red bell pepper
- 1 Roma tomato
- 1 tbs fresh oregano
- Kosher salt
Blender Hollandaise & Benedict Ingredients:
- 10 ounces (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more if needed
- 4 lrg egg yolks
- 2 tbs fresh lemon juice, plus more if needed
- Kosher salt
- 4 English muffins
- 1 lbs prosciutto
Pan Seared Scallops Ingredients:
- 8 jumbo scallops
- Kosher salt
- Canola, grapeseed, or vegetable oil, as needed
Selena + Chef is available to stream on Max in the US.
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