2014 Holiday Food/Recipes thread

[gpw]

Dec 15, 2014 21:13:19 GMT -5 wawa said:

Dec 15, 2014 15:30:34 GMT -5 Black Lavender said:

Can I ask a question about baked mac and cheese? I don't really go by a recipe, but my friend is looking for one and asked me. So I went on the hunt for one that is closest to what I use, and WTF with the chopped onion??? Is this what people really put in mac and cheese?

No.  I don't even do that.  And I put some weird things in other things. 

Really now?  

.....that's what she said.     

[Vespasia]

My dad is making spinach and chicken cannelloni for Christmas Eve dinner and I am going to bring an appetizer. Most of the things I make involve cheese but I think that might be too much with the cream sauce.

Any suggestions?

I was considering these antipasto skewers but they kind of seem like a pain to make.

[gpw]

Dec 16, 2014 19:22:13 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

My dad is making spinach and chicken cannelloni for Christmas Eve dinner and I am going to bring an appetizer. Most of the things I make involve cheese but I think that might be too much with the cream sauce.

Any suggestions?

I was considering these antipasto skewers but they kind of seem like a pain to make.

spinach and chicken cannelloni sounds amazing

[Vespasia]

Dec 16, 2014 19:40:46 GMT -5 gpw said:

Dec 16, 2014 19:22:13 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

My dad is making spinach and chicken cannelloni for Christmas Eve dinner and I am going to bring an appetizer. Most of the things I make involve cheese but I think that might be too much with the cream sauce.

Any suggestions?

I was considering these antipasto skewers but they kind of seem like a pain to make.

spinach and chicken cannelloni sounds amazing

It really is. Both of my parents are excellent cooks and passed on a love of food. It's their fault I'm fat. 

[secretlyevil]

Dec 16, 2014 19:22:13 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

My dad is making spinach and chicken cannelloni for Christmas Eve dinner and I am going to bring an appetizer. Most of the things I make involve cheese but I think that might be too much with the cream sauce.

Any suggestions?

I was considering these antipasto skewers but they kind of seem like a pain to make.

bruschetta?

[mrsukyankee]

I need to make dessert for Christmas dinner. Any suggestions?

[ChillyMcFreeze]

Dec 15, 2014 15:30:34 GMT -5 Black Lavender said:

Can I ask a question about baked mac and cheese? I don't really go by a recipe, but my friend is looking for one and asked me. So I went on the hunt for one that is closest to what I use, and WTF with the chopped onion??? Is this what people really put in mac and cheese?

My mom's baked mac and cheese recipe has diced onions. It's amazeballs, but I admit it is unorthodox. Sometimes you just want noodles and cheese.

[wawa]

Dec 17, 2014 5:12:27 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

I need to make dessert for Christmas dinner. Any suggestions?

what's for dinner?  How many people? 

because my immediate suggestion is chocolate lava cakes for some reason, but that's kind of a pain for more than a handful of people unless you have a crazy ramekin collection.

I've also been craving chocolate mousse lately.  With raspberry sauce.   Mmmmmmmmm. 

For some reason I feel like Christmas dinner of the chunk of meat, rich sides variety goes well with a smushy chocolate dessert.

Let's see...what else...

Lemon-ginger trifle on the seasonal and slightly lighter side of the scale would be fun. 
A fancy tart maybe?  Citrus again would be seasonally appropriate.  Cran-Pear would be good too.  Or chocolate. 
Pears poached in spiced wine on the very light end.
Cream puffs.  Easier than you'd think.  You could even do the full on croquembouche (sp??)  tree thingy.  Totally christmasy.

[mrsukyankee]

Thanks wawa. It's for 5 people so I might go with the citrus tart (make it light) as we'll be eating a ton of food beforehand (we will be having turkey as it's England and that's what they serve at Christmas).

[wawa]

Dec 18, 2014 3:38:17 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

Thanks wawa. It's for 5 people so I might go with the citrus tart (make it light) as we'll be eating a ton of food beforehand (we will be having turkey as it's England and that's what they serve at Christmas).

Good plan!   Now I want a citrus tart.  You should make this one and tell me how it is: smittenkitchen.com/blog/2009/02/whole-lemon-tart/

[Melissa W.]

I scored this at Walmart for 19 on black Friday. I use crock pots for big gatherings. m.beallsflorida.com/online/nostalgia-electrics-tsc250blk-triple-slow-cooker?cm_mmc=PaidSearch-_-PLA-_-PPCGooglePLA-_-0021747620&adpos=1o1&creative=44235271826&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKEAiAk8qkBRDOqYediILQ5BMSJAB40A5UwIoQKDmGUPawaxbzOF5Fjh5Su-to_-G-VK2cCaL8AxoCPk3w_wcB

[mrsukyankee]

Dec 18, 2014 8:30:40 GMT -5 wawa said:

Dec 18, 2014 3:38:17 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

Thanks wawa. It's for 5 people so I might go with the citrus tart (make it light) as we'll be eating a ton of food beforehand (we will be having turkey as it's England and that's what they serve at Christmas).

Good plan!   Now I want a citrus tart.  You should make this one and tell me how it is: smittenkitchen.com/blog/2009/02/whole-lemon-tart/

Done and done.  LOVE Smitten Kitchen.  And I think I'm going to try it tomorrow as a test. YUM!

[mrsukyankee]

wawa - tried the recipe out. I think it has potential but my husband didn't like the texture. Taste was good, but had bits of the lemon 'skin' throughout as opposed to being creamy. I think I might have slightly overcooked it.

I decided to do an eggnog mousse instead - a bit more Christmassy.

[wawa]

Dec 23, 2014 8:10:44 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

wawa - tried the recipe out. I think it has potential but my husband didn't like the texture. Taste was good, but had bits of the lemon 'skin' throughout as opposed to being creamy. I think I might have slightly overcooked it.

I decided to do an eggnog mousse instead - a bit more Christmassy.

Thanks for the update! And now I need eggnog mousse.

[Vespasia]

Grrr I wrote a long post and got logged out when I tried to submit.

Does anyone have any fun food plans for NYE?

As of right now it looks like H and I will be staying in so i want to make us a nice dinner. I'm probably making bacon roast brussels sprouts and potatoes au gratin. I'm not sure what to make for the meat. Prime rib, tenderloin, etc are great and all  but they makes too much for just us and are pretty expensive. I thought about doing a roast beef using the CI recipe but it seems a bit plain. Our store has lamb loin chops on sale but I think they might be a bit too rich with everything else. Plus, while I LOVE lamb H is indifferent. 

Any suggestions?

[wawa]

Dec 30, 2014 9:20:30 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

Grrr I wrote a long post and got logged out when I tried to submit.

Does anyone have any fun food plans for NYE?

As of right now it looks like H and I will be staying in so i want to make us a nice dinner. I'm probably making bacon roast brussels sprouts and potatoes au gratin. I'm not sure what to make for the meat. Prime rib, tenderloin, etc are great and all  but they makes too much for just us and are pretty expensive. I thought about doing a roast beef using the CI recipe but it seems a bit plain. Our store has lamb loin chops on sale but I think they might be a bit too rich with everything else. Plus, while I LOVE lamb H is indifferent. 

Any suggestions?

we're having fondue.

For you...personal birds?  (i.e. game hens of some sort)  Or...maybe seafood?  It's easier to scale than beef, but I'm struggling to think of something that goes well with the menu thus far.

I wouldn't discount a plain looking roast recipe though - good medium rare beef doesn't need a whole lot to make it awesome.  Particulary with a side of bacon Brussels sprouts and cheesy taters.

[Vespasia]

Not surprisingly, fondue sounds amazing to me. I got rid of my grandmother;'s fondue pot when we moved because I hadn't used it in 8 years. I already regret it.

I think you're right about the roast beef. I should just do that. The hens sound like a great idea too, I'll save them for another time.



secretlyevil I did end up making bruschetta for Christmas Eve. It was a huge hit and super easy. Definitely something I would make again.

[secretlyevil]

Dec 30, 2014 10:19:16 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

Not surprisingly, fondue sounds amazing to me. I got rid of my grandmother;'s fondue pot when we moved because I hadn't used it in 8 years. I already regret it.

I think you're right about the roast beef. I should just do that. The hens sound like a great idea too, I'll save them for another time.



secretlyevil I did end up making bruschetta for Christmas Eve. It was a huge hit and super easy. Definitely something I would make again.

a fondue pot is one of those things you need to have even of you don't use it but once in a blue moon. Glad bruschetta worked out!

[wawa]

Dec 30, 2014 10:19:16 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

Not surprisingly, fondue sounds amazing to me. I got rid of my grandmother;'s fondue pot when we moved because I hadn't used it in 8 years. I already regret it.

I think you're right about the roast beef. I should just do that. The hens sound like a great idea too, I'll save them for another time.



secretlyevil I did end up making bruschetta for Christmas Eve. It was a huge hit and super easy. Definitely something I would make again.

Oh that's tragic.  We use ours at least once a year - on new years.    And usually also on our anniversary.  And sometimes for our birthdays.  I love fondue.

It's also our traditional Christmas dinner with my IL's, but then we're at their house and use their fondue pot. 

[chedifuen]

We are having fondue too! I don't have a fondue pot, I just keep the fondue hot over a double boiler and dish out small bowls at a time. I'm doing a traditional Swiss for the grown ups and a cheddar and apple version for the little kids.