Recipes

[chrystaltree]

I stuck with the tried and true; I didn't try anything new for Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas.  We had lasagna, salad and a cream cake for Christmas Eve.  Hubby made omlettes and pancakes for Christmas breakfast and for Christmas tea, we had ham, roast potatoes and a big green salad.  My sister brought cookies and we had cake leftover for the night before.  We still have a lot of cake left.  I guess I'll have to force myself to eat it it....lol   The only think that was different was that I prepared a lot less food for every meal and dressed casually.   Thursday is our annual Holiday party.  That will be very  different because it's a work day so we're planning a chinese food buffet and I asked my guests (12) to bring a dessert or a bottle of wine.   I don't have the strength in me to cook.  And I have to work that day.  That will be the end of our holiday entertaining. 

[pupwhipped]

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@ECBG wrote:

The tomato pie with gruyere and spieces is the most beloved Christmas recipe in this family!

No matter what we have, we'll have that.  Plus reheats great!

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@ECBG, I just gotta say, I don't usually think of tomato pie as a Christmas dish. But I know you to be a person with the most wonderful recipes. Would you share this one please? I am intrigued.  

[rnin85]

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@mac116 wrote:

I made Ree Drummond 's Creamy Rosemary Potatoes. Lots of cheese, cream cheese, butter, and half and half.  They were blah and definitely NOT worth all of the calories. They didn't go over very well at our Christmas buffet dinner. The leftovers were dumped. 

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I love her Burgundy Mushroom recipe.  I have made it for Christmas for the last several years.  Really good as leftovers too.

[house_cat]

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@ECBG wrote:

@house_cat,I'd like to know which gravy you liked better if you don't mind.

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I wish I could say, but I mixed them together.  I'm sure the pan gravy had more turkey flavor, since the make ahead was made with chicken broth.

[Susan in California]

The desserts were really good this year.  Our older son brought a mango mousse

cake from a really great bakery.  We also had about five different cookies and brownies.

  I made the Brown Sugar Fudge with toasted walnuts which I saw on this

board.  Incredible!!!   It was an easy recipe which was a hit!!!  It did require a candy thermometer, but so easy to use and prepare.  I think next year I am going to make several batches. 

  I used to host an annual cookie exchange, but this year I baked our favorites and made about five baskets for gifts to friends.I have fun doing that.

  But the Brown Sugar Fudge was so good.  I sent the last of it home with a son and daughter in law tonight.  Thank goodness!

[AngelPuppy1]

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@mac116 wrote:

I made Ree Drummond 's Creamy Rosemary Potatoes. Lots of cheese, cream cheese, butter, and half and half.  They were blah and definitely NOT worth all of the calories. They didn't go over very well at our Christmas buffet dinner. The leftovers were dumped. 

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@mac116

Oh, too bad.  What a disappointment!!!! 

[AngelPuppy1]

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@house_cat wrote:

My eggnog cupcakes were a HUGE hit and I'll definitely make them next year.

I also made a chocolate dump cake that was mediocre, at best, and I've already deleted it from my Pinterest board.

The Thanksgiving turkey was a waste of time and money. I bought an organic one - it tasted fine, but there were seven people here, including me and only three of us had any turkey at all.  I think I'll make a veggie dish next year.

Contrary to @mac116's review of Ree's rosemary potatoes, I always make her creamy mashed potatoes and everyone loves them. They are quite decadent and I wouldn't make them that way every day, but for an occasion they are wonderful. You can also make them a day or two ahead, which really helps. This is the recipe I use.

Oops.. I need to add something. I made Ina Garten's make ahead gravy and it was a good idea.  I did make more gravy after I cooked the turkey, but it was nice to know I had some already if things should go awry at the last minute.

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@house_cat

Thank you for your picks and pans!  Sounds like some really tasty choices!  

[AngelPuppy1]

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@KathT wrote:

We had Raspberry Overnight French Toast that was to die for. Will definitely make it again & add it to the menu for a brunch we give. We are traveling home from our son's so can't post it now. But would be glad to, if anyone would like it.

Also tried @luvsbulldogs@ "Chex" Mix with the Crispix & white chocolate chips from the Homemade Snack Mix thread. Oh, my, what an addictive snack! Very well received by all ages! Dh took it to an office get together & the "leftovers" went to our kids. This will be added to my Christmas goodies list. Thanks @luvsbulldogs.

The recipe I will drop or re-work is a Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bar. It is something I have made for years & is requested by my dils. It uses a roll of refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough & they have changed the formulation of both the name brand & store brand. I ended up throwing out two batches where the crust burned to a crisp in less time than it usually baked (name & store brands). The third batch I reduced the temp, time & pan size. The crust was crumbly & the cheesecake didn't stick to part of the crust. The only thing I could think of was they have eliminated the trans fats. I may try making them with a homemade chocolate chip cookie recipe that uses butter. 

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@KathT

Would you mind posting your recipe for the french toast if you get a minute?  It sounds like it would be wonderful!  Thanks.  

[AngelPuppy1]

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@Nightowlz wrote:

Everything we had was pretty good but cold. We had dinner at our house this year. The in-laws lost power so had to finish things here hence the cold dinner. 5000 people lost power from the high winds in the middle of cooking their dinners. 

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@Nightowlz

That's too bad!  At this time of the year you never know what can or might happen!  

[AngelPuppy1]

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@RedTop wrote:

My husband and daughters voted on lasagna for the 23rd, a spiral ham, meatballs, deviled eggs, potato salad and broccoli casserole for the 24th.   Leftovers for the above yesterday, although the majority of our time was spent away from home.   

I would have much rather had a simple hamburger; no interest in a big meal on Christmas Day.    

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@RedTop

Your food sounds very tasty!  We always have such a huge meal -- with the exception of this year as we were not able to get together due to illness.  I am thinking that we need to alter this next year.  It is too much work and trouble.  That is another reason I am searching ahead of time for more simple things and less mess and work!!  I am with you!!!  I ate a bagle for my Christmas dinner.  Not really what I wanted but -- oh, well!!!