topic Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS? in Community Chat

WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

Noel7 — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 21:10:46 GMT

We got an early start on decorating so that's finished, now I'm into the meal planning, menu and grocery list stage.

Changed the entree this year to ham and I'm trying it out in a slow cooker, I've seen such good reports on that method for preventing drying out the meat.

I learned a lesson at Thanksgiving, there are great sides you can purchase, for a crowd, if you want. I'm for anything cutting down on spending Christmas day in the kitchen, but I am hoping to make corn pudding to go with the ham. We will also have scalloped potatoes, a sweet potato casserole, green beans, watermelon pickles, olives, and mini gherkins. We'll have my mother's chocolate cake for dessert.

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

Noel7 — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 21:15:19 GMT

DD has been baking cookies to have on hand when people stop by, and I got out the little 1950s mugs my parents used to serve small hot buttered rum drinks.

This isn't my photo, but these are the same mugs:

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

Laura14 — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 21:22:03 GMT

I am in charge of baking so I have many batches of brownies, peanut butter cookies, chocolate chip fudge cookies, plus I think I have oatmeal too and then two birthday cakes (chocolate fudge all the way and spice with cream cheese frosting).

I think I am going to possibly start on the cookies this weekend, definitely a batch of brownies or two, and then tell everyone to go away and leave me alone.

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

Noel7 — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 21:34:59 GMT

Good luck, Laura, that's a lot of baking It all sounds delicious!

Our chocolate cake is a reminder of my mother, I always include a couple of her recipes and favorite decorations in our celebration.

@Laura14

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

Laura14 — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 21:38:02 GMT

@Noel7 Thanks. I was salivating over your dinner. I love pickles and scalloped potatoes. I'd be at your house now waiting at the table.

I have young nieces and a nephew plus a bunch of co-workers who are demanding my brownies so they are getting that plus cookies as part of their gifts this year.

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

MickD — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 21:45:11 GMT

Not my wieght....hahaha! Moroccan lamb, greek potatoes and a veg.....maybe green beans with kalamata olives and sundried tomatoes (sounds weird but it is really good!)

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

SoX — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 21:53:52 GMT

@Noel7 wrote:
We got an early start on decorating so that's finished, now I'm into the meal planning, menu and grocery list stage.

....

I learned a lesson at Thanksgiving, there are great sides you can purchase, for a crowd, if you want. I'm for anything cutting down on spending Christmas day in the kitchen, but I am hoping to make corn pudding to go with the ham. We will also have scalloped potatoes, a sweet potato casserole, green beans, watermelon pickles, olives, and mini gherkins. We'll have my mother's chocolate cake for dessert.

@Noel7...

Funny you should mention this ... a couple of days ago I ordered quite a few gourmet side dishes ... some for Christmas, the others for New Year's Day, when my son and his family will be here. There was a 50% off, plus free shipping at NM's gourmet foods online. I sort of went a little crazy and ordered a slew of stuff.

I'll prepare the turkey with dressing, and possibly a ham for Christmas; for New Year's it will be a prime rib roast. All my side dishes are now taken care of.

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

Noel7 — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 22:00:19 GMT

@Laura14 wrote:
@Noel7 Thanks. I was salivating over your dinner. I love pickles and scalloped potatoes. I'd be at your house now waiting at the table.

I have young nieces and a nephew plus a bunch of co-workers who are demanding my brownies so they are getting that plus cookies as part of their gifts this year.

*********************

@Laura14, imo it's those little sides that really complete the dinner My mother used to make her own watermelon pickles for Christmas dinner, and she always put out celery sticks and green onions.

I see you are famous for your brownies

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

Irshgrl31201 — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 22:00:22 GMT

I am not doing anything at all. I just got out of the hospital and I am really not up to it. My dr has been bugging me about dropping my stress levels so I am starting now. We are still having it here on Christmas Eve and my husband and daughter are cooking prime rib, crab legs and the rest of the sides. Christmas Day we are going to our country club for lunch. I usually really like cooking but not this year!!

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

Noel7 — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 22:04:24 GMT

@MickD wrote:
Not my wieght....hahaha! Moroccan lamb, greek potatoes and a veg.....maybe green beans with kalamata olives and sundried tomatoes (sounds weird but it is really good!)

**********************

@MickD

Hey, Mick! I haven't seen you around much lately, you've been missed.

I always love your menus and I like the idea of the green beans with kalamata olives and sundried tomatoes. I just made a roast veg platter last night and threw in a bunch of kalamata olives the last ten minutes. Delicious

Thank you Trader Joe's for offering them already pitted!

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

Ms X — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 22:05:11 GMT

I am plotting how to pick a fight with my relatives without getting blamed for it. Trust me, it is a full-time job.

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

Snowpuppy — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 22:06:54 GMT

Im home today cleaning out the fridge & pantry before I write out a holiday menu and shopping list.

Baked 2 loaves of pumpkin bread and assembled an apple crisp, and all went into the freezer. Cookie baking tonight as I have everything on hand.

Cold & blustery here in Northern MI so a great day to spend in the kitchen!

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

Noel7 — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 22:09:50 GMT

@SoX

I am so glad you're here, I've been thinking of you and sending good thoughts that all is well with you

I know, getting really good side dishes we just have to heat up is brilliant! Sure, we have our family favorites, but I am past an attempt at vintage perfection when it means slaving over a hot stove all day.

I found a couple of things at Costco we can use, too. DD reminded me how much she loves their mashed potatoes with creme fraiche, so I got that. DH and I like the scalloped potatoes.

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

Noel7 — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 22:15:07 GMT

@Irshgrl31201 wrote:
I am not doing anything at all. I just got out of the hospital and I am really not up to it. My dr has been bugging me about dropping my stress levels so I am starting now. We are still having it here on Christmas Eve and my husband and daughter are cooking prime rib, crab legs and the rest of the sides. Christmas Day we are going to our country club for lunch. I usually really like cooking but not this year!!

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@Irshgrl31201

Oh, Irsh, I'm so sorry you're unwell at Christmas. I'd just gotten out of the hospital a few days before Thanksgiving. My daughter was working long hours and I decided to order from an upscale caterer. So easy, we just had to heat things.

I'm still recovering so I'm making Christmas dinner a lot easier this year. Re: crab legs... the famous SF Dungeness crabs are in danger. The water is too warm and allowed a growth that makes the water acidic, so they may not be available this year. Traditionally, we have Dungeness crab every New Year.

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

Noel7 — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 22:16:14 GMT

@Ms X wrote:
I am plotting how to pick a fight with my relatives without getting blamed for it. Trust me, it is a full-time job.

***************************

@Ms X

LOL! I know that feeling

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

Noel7 — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 22:17:23 GMT

@Snowpuppy wrote:
Im home today cleaning out the fridge & pantry before I write out a holiday menu and shopping list.

Baked 2 loaves of pumpkin bread and assembled an apple crisp, and all went into the freezer. Cookie baking tonight as I have everything on hand.

Cold & blustery here in Northern MI so a great day to spend in the kitchen!

************************

It sounds wonderful, and I'll bet your home smells so good, @Snowpuppy

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

DiAnne — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 22:22:32 GMT

I am pretty much done. Cookies made, gifts wrapped, packages mailed. I went to the mall today to enjoy the ambiance. I needed to pick something up at Crate and Barrel and also Nordstrom. It is enjoyable when you are not stressed by last minute shopping!!

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

Ms X — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 22:25:29 GMT

Ha, ha, Noel7! Some enjoy yuletide caroling. Others love to trim the tree. I prefer playing Whoever Starts Yelling First Loses. Wish me luck!

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

SoX — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 22:29:44 GMT

@Noel7 ...

Thanks, Noel, for the good thougts and wishes. I've been having some health issues lately, and can't do all the cooking this year ... besides, the side dishes sound and look great ... here are a few:

Cranberry relish, with apple juice; Twice Baked Potato Cassarole; candied yams.

I'll serve these on New Year's day: Turkey & Sausage Gumbo; Crab and Shrimp Etouffee; Black eyed peas w/sausage; Beef and chicken enchelada combo.

Re: WHAT'S UP FOR CHRISTMAS?

Noel7 — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 22:32:13 GMT

@Ms X wrote:
Ha, ha, Noel7! Some enjoy yuletide caroling. Others love to trim the tree. I prefer playing Whoever Starts Yelling First Loses. Wish me luck!

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Oh, I do, I do, @Ms X I hope you let us in on how it goes

I can remember a few beauts with my extended family, also. My daughter was little then and I said to DH, "Do we really want to spend Christmas listening to this keerap?"

I also remember when we were first married and spent Christmas Eve with his parents and then Christmas day with mine. Exhausting. Better to be all grown up and call the shots yourself