I am hosting Christmas dinner this year and was wanting some ideas for food. I want an elegant presentation, but I don't want to serve Thanksgiving dinner all over again. So, I was wondering what some of you make on Christmas, that's a bit different. I am still going to make turkey and some other meat, as well as potatos and stuffing, but I think that's it for the traditional food. I want something that's Christmasy and fun as well as somewhat unusual. Thanks for any ideas!!!
Have you thought about a brisket? I have a great recipe but we also have friends who have a smoker & it is awesome smoked. I usually make that with Cheesy Potatoes and Cream Cheese Corn and rolls and a Peppermint Dessert that is very elegant. Good luck! Now I am hungry!
I am looking forward to the posts that you get. Me and my sisters prepare the Christmas dinner for our family. We all bring a "course". I am in charge of appetizers, so i am going to make cranberry meatballs and last year I also served raw green beans with hummus. We will be serving beef brisket and the rest of the meal and desserts are to be determined. Cranberry meatballs are a family fav--use your favorite meatball recipe and bake in oven at 350 for only about 25 min. To make the sauce, use canned cranberry sauce and a bottle of chili sauce. Move the meatballs into the sauce and heat in 300 degree oven for another 20 min. until hot. Let me know if you try it!
You have a few beef suggestions and that's usually our family tradition on Christmas. We do either a standing rib roast or a tenderloin. Both are DELICIOUS!!! Good luck!
How about a gelatin made in a holiday cake mold? I grew up with a Santa jello mold and always looked forward to it.
Good Morning M., turkey and ham are nice, but after Thanksgiving we for the last few years we have had different themes. This year we are having Italian. Lasagna rolls, pasta salads, with garlic bread. Italian Cream Cake if I can find my recipe LOL
We've had Burritos, Tacos, enchiladas etc..
Subs.. Beef Stroganoff..
Lasagna rolls are made like reg lasagna, except you put the ingredients on each noodle and roll it up, then pour your sauce on top, then sprinkle with cheese.
We've had Smoked Brisket, Catfish fry. I do have a yummy appetizer that uses a round loaf of bread hollowed out, filled with spinach and things. You use the bread pieces as the dippers. If you'd like to have it let me know, I will send it later today.
Have a Wonderful Christmas Dinner, Don't forget His Birthday Cake :)
God Bless you
K. Nana of 5
____@____.com
I usually do ham or a pork tenderloin with some sort of berry glaze. My dad's side of the family always did German sausage. My mom's, lasagna. And my husband's tamales. I've heard of people doing homemade pizza, or even sea food. One year, my mom was out of commission because of a broken ankle. It was really warm that year, in the 70's, and we grilled fajitas. It really doesn't matter, it's about what your family likes. Pick their favorite and make a new tradition :)A great side for something really different is cranberry salsa. See link below for the recipe I'm trying this year. Had some at thanksgiving and it was to die for. Have a merry Christmas!
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cranberry-Salsa-2/Detail.aspx
We spend all of our holidays together with extended family so we get a tad exhausted of the turkey or ham routine so a lot of times for our Christmas eve gathering we go more an appetizer route are standards are a vegetable plate with dip, crackers and cheese, shrimp cocktails, Barbequed meatballs in the crock pot, rolls, a dish called Green Rice that is a casserole made with white rice, cheese, chopped broccoli and cream of chicken soup, then we usually have desserts and nuts. Everyone can just snack at will and there is no formal fuss because we stick with disposable plates, napkins etc.
A recipe for a salad that we have all recently fallen head over heals for is called Watergate salad
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, with juice 1 cup miniature marshmallows ( I usually add more than this), 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Directions
In a large bowl, mix together pudding mix, pineapple with juice, marshmallows, and nuts. Fold in whipped topping. Chill.
Or another salad that is always good is the classic Waldorf salad.
Make as mush ahead as you can so you don't spend all your time in the kitchen, there are lots of hot dish recipes that you can find converted into crock pot recipes to save you time and room in your oven!
Have a great get together and a Merry Christmas
B.
for christmas we do a ham with pineapples and cherries, cheesy cornflake potatos, green beans and green bean casserole because some of us dont like the casserole, cranberry stuff with marshmallows on top, watergate salad (really yummy), um i and i think some bread and a relish tray and cheese for if someone wants to make a sandwhich. you can always do like a pasta salad or a tossed salad also. good luck!
Have you thought about having a catered meal? My Mother had a huge housewarming party and went all out, she hired a bartender for her backyard patio bar set, she had candles lit everywhere and piano music, etc. etc... she actually put me in charge of the food and I found it cost nearly the same to have a local restaurant bring in a delicious spread and it was a ton less work for me! We had mini crab cakes and a few different sauces, creole encrusted chicken breasts, meatballs, shrimp cocktail, blanched asparagus spears with raspberry sauce, cheese tray, fruit tray, gourmet sandwiches, delightful cake and cookies... If you happen to be into it and have a good wall space for it you can always ask a local up and coming artist to display their work in your home for your party - this makes a great presentation and a wonderful conversation piece. I also wanted to add that for many years in a row when all of my siblings still lived in the area we wold have "x-mas tacos" instead of traditional food on x-mas. We wold make taco beef, chicken, etc. with every possible topping and shell and side dish you can imagine to go with a taco dinner and everyone had a great time making their own tacos in a buffet style line. Not "elegant" but entertaining for sure!
quick & easy way to "do" elegant: it's all in the presentation! Set the table with sparkly glassware, silver & gold ornaments in an oversized glass compote or punch bowl. Hang more ornaments & beading from the lighting. Make that room sparkle....& you'll have instant elegance!
Appetizer: deli roast beef, spread with your fav dip, place a slice of pepperoncini or green onion on it, roll it up....& you're done.
Side dish: a platter of asparagus drizzled with melted butter, accented with lemon zest & Parmesan cheese.
Dessert: any tiered cake, served on a pedestal cake stand.
Punch: any spiked/virgin punch served in a punch bowl.
Presentation, that's what it's all about! & personally, I love when I place the stemware all together on the buffet - the sparkle is so festive!
Sometimes we do a Prime Rib Roast for Christmas dinner or some other fancy beef dinner. It makes it different from Thanksgiving. We have also made Chicken Kiev or Chicken Cordon Blue with sour creamy nodles.
Good Luck!
