What is everyone making for the holidays

[The empressof all]

I haven't been cooking much lately and I will be probably preparing both a Christmas eve and Christmas day meal....We may go out for Chinese at some point but it's up in the air so I want to have options.

I just can't decide what to make.....Traditionally I do a Prime Rib at some point for the holiday but I'm not feeling it this year. I suggested a crown roast of pork but didn't get an enthusiastic response from the family. My daughter suggested Salmon with Mai Ploy ...But we have that all the time and I would like to make something a little more special. I don't know....I'm not a big ham fan so I'd rather not go in that direction....however it would be a good excuse to make that Mac and Cheese with Trader Joes Uncommon Cheddar that I've been thinking about.

What are you all making?

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. Howdy! So, good question....

already made - two kinds of biscotti (almond gingerbread, and double chocolate ginger), lace cookies, lemon squares, real fudge (much of the latter two sent as gifts)

To make - peanut butter chocolate breakup cookie, pecan squares

Christmas eve - crab cakes, brussels sprouts, peas, brown rice

Ch. breakfast - sweet potato pancakes, mimosas,

Ch. dinner - baked cod, carrots vichy, brocolli, roast potatoes, chocolate yule log for dessert

MUCH different than previous years (beef stew and popovers eve, roast tenderloin day)

[Mojorabbit]

22. I am going to do fish also.

After thanksgiving, and several huge get togethers, I want something light.

[cbayer]

2. I'm going to try and go with something kind of traditionally English.

This won't actually happen on Christmas day, but a couple of days before when we will be with family.

Beef tenderloin, potatoes au gratin, butternut squash and a ginger trifle is what I have in mind.

Have you considered a duckling? Takes a lot of work, but could be great. Or stuffed cornish game hens?

[shanti]

3. for xmas:

it's just me and my 3rd son, so probably a prime rib for 2, with yorkshire pudding (yum), and a homemade sweet potato pie...along with the regular sides.

i really wanted to do a turkey since i spent tksgiving at sis's house and didn't get to make one this year, but son made one himself and he's sick of it, soooo.

i've also considered a big pan of lasagna too....something i don't get to make much since it's just me (and my diabetes, hee).

[livetohike]

4. We're going to my brother's for a traditional Slovak Christmas Eve dinner with my side of the family

and my mother in law. That's always our big celebration....then my husband and I will be alone at home for Christmas Day. We may go out to eat if we can find an open restaurant in the nearby towns. We'll be calling around to find out if anyone is open. Otherwise, I'm not sure what I'll make. I could do Christmas Eve over again if there are any leftovers to bring home .

[Whisp]

5. prime rib and garlic shrimp

green beans with butter and roasted almonds
yorkshire pudding
gravy
smashed potatoes
bit of sweet smashed potatoes too
shredded carrot with raisins salad

might try to make some perogies - I'm not very good at that tho. What I might do instead of the individuals is make a roll instead and slice that up. I like the regualr potato and yellow cheese, and potato and sauerkraut.

For desert I make my mom in laws carrot pudding since she can't see well any more I do that for her. Its a conglomeration of currants and raisins and cinnamon and nutmeg and cloves. It takes a long time to steam on the stove top and it's glorious. Served with white sauce. heaven, I'm in heaven.

[KC]

10. That

carrot pudding sounds interesting. I looked online for a recipe so I might try it. It really does sound good. I'm curious though what is the white sauce?

[Whisp]

11. Here is the recipe:

Muriels' Carrot Pudding:

2 cups grated carrots
2 cups grated potatoes
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar (I use less sugar than asked in all recipes, maybe 1 cup for this one - that's just us, we don't like oversweet)
1 cup raisins (preferably seeded, doesn't realy matter much I found out)
1 cup currants
3/4 cup butter (softened/melted)
1 teas. cloves
1 teas. nutmeg
1 teas. cinnamon
1 teas. baking soda
2 teas. salt

Reserve 1 cup potatoes and mix with soda: add at last minute.

Steam for 3.5 hours. I use a smaller pan inside the double boiler one - fill up with mixture and wrap it up with parchment paper and string so the steam drippings don't get it too watery.

WHITE SAUCE:
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 cup milk. (I make about a cup per person, we love the stuff)

melt butter, add the flour which makes a paste and then add the milk slowly and whisk in. You will get a creamy white velvety sauce. We don't add any sugar or flavouring but you can if you like. It's a very non descrip kind of neutral sauce but it goes really well with sweets.

[The empressof all]

17. You got me curious about this one

Thanks for posting the recipe....I googled it last night after seeing post up thread. I so want to try this and am resisting all my impulses at full throttle. Alas I think I would be the only one in my family that would enjoy this. They just don't like those sweet spicy Holiday flavors. I don't know what the heck is wrong with them...but "they" even complain when I put ginger in the stir fry.

[KC]

21. Thank you

for posting the recipe! I'm glad you did as it is different from the one that I found!
I don't think it has potatoes in it. I really want to try it.

[one_voice]

6. I've never made a big Christmas dinner...

I always wanted Christmas to be for my kids. So when they were little I used to put a roast in the crock pot with taters and carrots. When they got a little older I started making a big pork roast and red beans and rice--Puerto Rican style. I could make the beans on Christmas Eve and throw the pork in the oven and let it cook. So that became our Christmas tradition. I make it every year now.

Christmas Eve the whole family gets together--this year we're doing it at my daughters and we're having, chili, baked ziti, fried chicken, tater salad, green beans, tossed salad, dips, chips.

[pinto]

7. Spicy shrimp stuffed baked potatoes. Breaded fried broccoli. Sliced fruits. Chocolates.

White wine coolers, soda with lime, espresso.

[Lugnut]

8. For Christmas Eve we'll be having 5 of the Italian 7 fishes dinner.

We're making smelts, squid, aglia olio, shrimp scampi and baked haddock filets. My daughter has to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but my son and his family - 6 or 7 of them - will be joining us for Christmas Eve. It's just the two of us for Christmas dinner so I'm taking the easy way out. I'm making ham, kielbasi, potato salad, cole slaw and BBQ beans - picnic food. After the big clean-up on Christmas Eve the last thing I want to do is make a big meal the next day. I made two kinds of cookies and DH got nut and poppyseed rolls from the church ladies' bake sale so that's dessert.

[Lucinda]

9. We've been talking about making homemade tamales

So this year will likely be a south of the border menu for us. Yummy!

[Callalily]

13. We made tomales

a couple of weekends ago. Very tasty.

[Lucinda]

16. Nice! I never manage to get mine tied. They loot prettier this way!

We used to make them pretty often. They can be a little time consuming, but soo worth it.

[The empressof all]

18. I think I need to rent some more family for the holidays

My current crew wouldn't touch tamales..CRAZY!..But they are one of my very favorites. So if I ever venture into the task of making them....I better find some folks who will help me eat them. But you have inspired me to look around the local trucks to see if anyone is making them so I can snag a few for myself...LOL!

[Callalily]

12. Travel plans! ;-)

I'll most likely assist in the cooking, but right now I don't even know what's on the menu!

[Le Taz Hot]

14. I bought 3 hams

just before Thanksgiving as they were having a really good sale. So . . . somewhere in there there will be ham. That mac and cheese idea is sounding pretty good as well. I'm sure there will be blackberry cobbler in there somewhere.

The Espoused One is going to make Hoppin' John, greens and cornbread for New Years' Day. We're goin' Suhthuhn.

[japple]

31. That Suuuthuuuuun New Year's Day dinner sounds great to me. I make it every year,

but it's not complete without hog jowl. I fry up a big batch of the stuff and my family eats about one bite each, then we keep a few pieces for seasoning, and save that wonderful fat to mix with peanut butter, cornmeal and oats to make suet for the birds. It's great stuff, and the birds love it.

[Cairycat]

15. My @#(!$%^ employer hasn't put up the schedule for that week

I finally decided I would just have to serve our Christmas meals around it. Plans are:

Christmas Eve: brunch for supper - egg/cheese/bacon strata, fruit salad, cinnamon rolls

Christmas Day: roast lamb, mashed potatoes & gravy, roast veggies, flan for dessert

day after Christmas: pierogies and borscht (usually we have that Christmas Eve, but I expect I'll be working, but have the 26th off)

I haven't gotten any baking done, other than getting peppernuts ready to bake. Maybe the usual Christmas baking will take place after Christmas.

[GoneOffShore]

19. I'm doing an English Christmas with roast beef

Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, brussels sprouts with walnuts or pecans, maybe some roasted turnips. And made macarons for dessert to go with mince pies and cranberry steamed pudding.

If you want to do duck without the fuss go buy a couple of magret/duck breasts (one is enough for two people) and score them, cook eight minutes fat side down (drain the fat and make sure they don't burn - save the fat for cooking potatoes) and then four minutes on the other side. Stick them in a 300 degree oven for another 10 minutes unless you like rare duck - I do but some folks don't - cut them up and serve with a sauce of your choice along with appropriate veg. Depending on the vegetables I reckon you could have dinner prepped and served in under an hour and a half.

[Jazzgirl]

20. Either a nice prime rib or......

Cat Cora's Crab Buon Natale recipe. It is awesome!

[NMDemDist2]

23. I'm going with the Prime Rib

since the in laws are here and i have a 4 day weekend

I just pulled this Pumpkin Bundt cake out of the oven, waiting for it to cool.

1 (18 1/4 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 (3 1/2 ounce) package instant butterscotch pudding mix (or vanilla)
4 eggs
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil (I used applesauce instead)
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (I used 1tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp allspice)

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the first seven ingredients.

Beat on low speed for 30 seconds; then beat at medium speed for 4 minutes.

Pour into a greased and floured 10-inch fluted tube pan.

Bake at 350F for 50-55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Cool in pan for 15 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serve with whipped cream or ice cream if desired. (i'm gonna just put a simple glaze on it)

Read more at: http://www.food.com/recipe/pumpkin-bundt-cake-ii-3559?oc=linkback

we're just gonna have soup and salad and bread tonight, i'll roast the Rib tomorrow and we'll snack Christmas day

[pinto]

24. My earlier plans went sideways. Going to do a small ham with some sides, to be determined later.

(ed for spell)

[bif]

25. Pork roast

Roasted potatoes, roasted cauliflower, salad. Bread pudding with whisky sauce for dessert.

[bif]

26. Change of plans. We're doing duck.

[tradecenter]

27. We are having baked ham

sweet potato's, mashed potato's and gravy, dressing, broccoli and cheese, jello salad, deviled eggs, olives, sweet gherkin pickles, apple pie, pumpkin pie.

[fizzgig]

28. latkes tonight

alton brown's cinnamon rolls for breakfast tomorrow and julia child's beef burgundy for dinner. i'm going to be busy with cooking today.

[The empressof all]

29. I decided to do a bit of what everyone likes

I'm doing:

Christmas Eve

Those addictive bisquick/sausage/cheeseballs
goat cheese and fig butter on Ritz Crackers
Chopped Chicken Liver

A salad with Romaine, spinach, little tomatoes, mozzerella balls, pistachio, pomegranate with a homemade vinaigrette

Pan fried chicken cutlets served with lemon wedges
Mac and Cheese with the unexpected cheddar

Canolli Cake and Gelato

Christmas Morning

Panetonne Strata with Nutella and sauteed bananas
sausage patties
bacon
bagels and cream cheese


Christmas Day

Left over salad and apps

Prime Rib
Mashed Potatoes
Brocolli casserolle

Coconut Cream Pie and what ever else is left over


I hope my arteries survive the holidays....But I make a huge effort to stay on the healthy diet the rest of the year

Have a terrific holiday everyone!

[pinto]

30. A great holiday to you and yours as well. What's your take on broccoli casserole?

(ed for spell)

[The empressof all]

34. Broccoli Casserole

My broccoli casserole is a take off the green bean one. It's chopped broccoli mixed with cream of broccoli soup, a spoon full of sour cream and baked with the french fried onions on top.... My SO won't eat green beans so we do it with the broccoli instead

Have a Terrific Holiday!!!!

[tradecenter]

32. Can I come over for dinner tomorrow?

Sounds delicious.
I wish I could but I have to work tomorrow, and on that note, I'm going to bed.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

[boston bean]

33. Christmas Dinner

Prime Rib
Au Gratin potatoes
garlic green beans
garden salad
dinner rolls

[freshwest]

35. Curried Chicken (my own recipe) since it was requested by friends.

CURRIED CHICKEN (OR TURKEY)

Small poultry strips
Chicken broth
Diced yellow or red onion
Frozen green peas
Basmati brown rice
Plain unsweetened yogurt
Good curry powder
Garlic powder or minced
Parsley
Lawry's seasoned pepper
Cumin, ground
Olive oil and/or ghee or butter
Saffron
Sea salt
Flour

IN STOCK POT HEAT WATER, SEA SALT AND RICE TOGETHER TO A RAPID BOIL. DRAIN STARCHY BROTH AND RINSE WITH WATER. REDUCE TO SIMMER AND ADD OLIVE OIL AND SAFFRON. COOK UNTIL RICE IS DONE BUT STILL CRUNCHY. ADD GHEE, OLIVE OIL OR BUTTER WITH PARSLEY TO STOP FROM STICKING TOGETHER.

IN SKILLET COOK POULTRY STRIPS IN GHEE, BUTTER OR OLIVE OIL UNTIL DONE, THEN SET ASIDE. ADD ONIONS AND SAUTE' UNTIL GOLDEN BROWN, PLACE WITH POULTRY.

ADD FLOUR AND GHEE OR BUTTER TO MAKE A SAUCE. THEN ADD BROTH TO THIN SLIGHTLY. ADD CURRY, GARLIC, PARSLEY, SEASONED PEPPER, AND CUMIN.

REDUCE BY SIMMERING, COVERED. WHEN WELL BLENDED, ADD POULTRY AND ONIONS. THEN FROZEN PEAS. SIMMER FOR A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

JUST BEFORE SERVING, ADD THE YOGURT, HEATING ONLY LONG ENOUGH TO WARM THE YOGURT. SERVE ON TOP OF RICE.

Note:

Sorry it's mostly in capital letters but too tired to change all of that font there. And no portions, I've made this for so many years, and do it in pieces, it makes no sense to me.

In the past I have frozen the poultry and sauce without the yogurt. Then cooked the rice while warming it up for another meal. When well heated, I add frozen peas just before the yogurt, as I like them to be as fresh as possible. If I had real fresh peas, I'd toss them on raw at the end.

By 'good curry powder' I mean Tone's which can be bought bulk at COSTCO or other wholesale stores, or the kind that you buy at an Indian grocery. I used to use Spice Islands brand. I put a lot in with a lot of ground cumin. I go heavy on the parsley as well.