**Christmas Dinner**

Most Christmas customs in the United States have been adopted from those in the United Kingdom. Accordingly, the mainstays of the British table are also found in the United States: roast turkey (or other poultry), beef, ham, or pork; stuffing (or 'dressing'), squash, roasted root vegetables, brussels sprouts, and mashed potatoes are common. Common desserts include pumpkin pie, plum pudding or Christmas pudding, trifle, marzipan, pfeffernusse, sugar cookies, fruitcake, apple pie, Gooseberry Pie, carrot cake, bûche de Noël, and mince pies. In the south, coconut cake and sweet potato pie are also common.

The centerpiece of a sit-down meal varies on the tastes of the host but can be ham, roast beef, or goose, particularly since turkey is the mainstay at dinner for the American holiday of Thanksgiving in November, around one month earlier. Regional meals offer incredible diversity. Virginia has oysters, ham pie, and fluffy biscuits, a nod to its very English 17th century founders. The Upper Midwest includes dishes from predominately Scandinavian backgrounds such as lutefisk and mashed rutabaga or turnip. In some rural areas, game meats like elk, opossum or quail may grace the table, often prepared with recipes that are extremely old: it is likely that similar foodstuffs graced the tables of early American settlers on their first Christmases.

Christmas is a time for family and friends, making joyous memories and delighting in succulent food. Create a Christmas-specific menu to make your Christmas dinner a standout.

Determine how you'd like to start dinner off. Drinks like egg nog as well as appetizers or hors d'oeurves are classy additions to a Christmas gathering, or maybe you'd like to begin dinner with a freshly tossed green salad.  Choose what side dishes you'd like to serve. Those based on fruits, vegetables and potatoes are popular, but the room for creativity is endless.

*Cajun Style Baked Sweet Potato*

"Tired of the same old baked sweet potato? Great for holiday get togethers, these sweet potatoes are seasoned with a homemade herb and spice mix."

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 large sweet potatoes
• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a small bowl, stir together paprika, brown sugar, black pepper, onion powder, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
3. Slice the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise. Brush each half with olive oil. Rub the seasoning mix over the cut surface of each half. Place sweet potatoes on a baking sheet, or in a shallow pan.
4. Bake in preheated oven until tender, or about 1 hour.

*Green Bean & Mushroom Medley*

"This is a great vegetable side dish. This is always served at our family gatherings with no leftovers."

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound fresh green beans, cut into 1-inch lengths
• 2 carrots, cut into thick strips
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Directions

1. Place green beans and carrots in 1 inch of boiling water. Cover, and cook until tender but still firm. Drain.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onions and mushrooms until almost tender. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 3 minutes. Stir in green beans, carrots, salt, seasoned salt, garlic salt, and white pepper. Cover, and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat.

*Apricot Glazed Carrots*

"Carrots are cooked tender then mixed with a tangy apricot sauce. Serve cold or slightly warm."

Ingredients

• 2 pounds carrots, peeled and diagonally sliced
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/3 cup apricot preserves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

1. Add carrots to a pot of lightly salted water, and bring to a low boil. Simmer until carrots are tender. Drain.
2. Put melted butter in a bowl, and stir in apricot preserves. Stir in nutmeg, salt, orange zest, and lemon juice. Add carrots, and stir well to coat. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

*Lyonnaise Potatoes*
"Lyonnaise potatoes recipe is sliced cooked potatoes and onions and butter cooked with seasonings and parsley."


Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped onion
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 3 cups cooked sliced potatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• chopped fresh parsley

Preparation:

In a large heavy skillet, heat butter over low heat; add onions and sauté until golden brown. Add cooked sliced potatoes to the browned onions. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add salt and pepper. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

When getting your ingredients together for your Christmas dinner ideas, be sure to check a few things before hand.

• Are all the recipes for the same amount of servings? You may need to increase or decrease the recipe depending on how many guests you are planning to serve.

• Do you have all the equipment you need? Carefully read through each recipe and make sure that you have all the gear that is noted. If you are making three recipes that call for 9x13 baking dishes and you only have one, that could be a problem.

*Roast Leg of Lamb w/Rosemary*

"This leg of lamb is marinated overnight with fresh rosemary, garlic, mustard, honey and lemon zest. Be prepared for many requests for seconds!"

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons prepared Dijon-style mustard
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 pounds whole leg of lamb
• 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the honey, mustard, rosemary, ground black pepper, lemon zest and garlic. Mix well and apply to the lamb. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
3. Place lamb on a rack in a roasting pan and sprinkle with salt to taste.
4. Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and roast for 55 to 60 more minutes for medium rare. The internal temperature should be at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C) when taken with a meat thermometer. Let the roast rest for about 10 minutes before carving.

*Tangy Honey Glazed Ham*
"The glaze for this ham uses ingredients on hand and it's the best. If you have any glaze left over, you can add it to the pan drippings with a little flour or cornstarch and make a nice sauce to accompany the meat. Use the bone and ham trimmings to make soup afterwards."

Ingredients

• 1 (10 pound) fully-cooked, bone-in ham
• 1 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup pineapple juice
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 large orange, juiced and zested
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Place ham in a roasting pan.
2. In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, orange juice, orange zest, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
3. Bake ham in preheated oven uncovered for 2 hours. Remove ham from oven, and brush with glaze. Bake for an additional 30 to 45 minutes, brushing ham with glaze every 10 minutes.

*Almond-Crusted Pork Loin*

"This pork loin topped with an almond crust turns into a flavor explosion when paired with homemade fresh salsa."

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil spray
• 6 ounces slivered California almonds (1-1/4 cups chopped)
• 2 medium garlic cloves, crushed
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• 2 egg whites
• 1 1/2-pounds boneless pork loin
• 
  SALSA:
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced (about 2 cups)
• 1/2 cup diced red onion
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste (optional)

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a roasting pan with foil and place a meat rack on the foil. Spray with vegetable oil spray. Coarsely grind almonds in a food processor. Mix almonds, garlic and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl. Set aside.
• Whip egg whites to form soft peaks. Remove visible fat from the pork. Roll the pork in the egg whites and then in the almond mixture. Roll once more in the egg whites and in the almond mixture again. Place pork on the rack and press any remaining almonds onto the pork.
• Roast 1 hour, or until a meat thermometer reads 160°F. Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes.
• Mix the salsa ingredients together. Taste for seasoning. Add salt and pepper if needed. Serve with pork. Yield: 4 servings (2 cups salsa)

Dessert seems to be the whole point of Christmas. Everywhere you look, there seems to be cookies, cakes, and sweets galore. For the kids, a nice candy cane cake might do the trick.  Or try these for the whole family!

*Lemon Squares*

Ingredients

Crust:

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Filling:

• 6 eggs, at room temperature
• 2 2/3 cups granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons grated lemon zest
• 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
•  
• Raspberries, for garnish, optional

Directions

For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking sheet (otherwise known as a quarter sheet pan) with some cooking spray.

In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or you can use a food processor), cream your butter with the sugar and almond extract until light and fluffy. Whisk the flour and salt in a small bowl, making sure there are no lumps. Turn the mixer speed to low, add the flour into your butter and mix until just incorporated. (Make sure not to over-mix.) Turn the dough onto the baking sheet, flour your hands and press it out evenly on the bottom and up the sides. Pop in the fridge for an hour (or overnight) to chill.

Pop the crust in the oven and bake until a light golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

For the filling: While the crust is cooling, make your filling. Crack your eggs into a large bowl and add the sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice and flour. Whisk until combined. Pour into the crust and spread evenly. Put back in the oven and bake until the filling is completely set, about 30 minutes. Let cool to room temperature before serving.

*Apple Coffee Cake*

Ingredients

Cake:

• 1 stick plus 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups peeled, cored and chopped apples

Crumble Topping:

• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Brown Sugar Glaze:

• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons water

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish with 2 teaspoons of the butter.

In a large bowl, cream together the remaining stick of butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating after the addition of each. In a separate bowl or on a piece of parchment, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream and vanilla. Fold in the apples. Pour into the prepared baking dish, spreading out to the edges.

To make the topping, in a bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and butter, and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the topping over the cake and bake until golden brown and set, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes.

To make the glaze, in a bowl, combine the sugar, vanilla, and water and mix until smooth. Drizzle the cake with the glaze and let harden slightly. Serve warm.

Christmas Party Recipes

A Christmas party can be a major undertaking or a low-key gathering of friends. Be sure you plan ahead, since Christmas is a busy time of year for everyone. One thing is for sure, though, everybody loves a Christmas party. Make hors d'oeuvres, arrange the flowers, cook the food and chill the wine as appropriate, and set the tables or arrange the serving table.
Just before guests arrive, light the candles, turn on some soft Christmas music, set out the hors d'oeuvres, and bring out the punch or open the bar.

*Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms*

 "Tasty crab stuffed mushrooms with bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese make a great Christmas party snack."

Ingredients:

• 1 pound large mushrooms
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 3 green onions, minced
• 3 to 4 tablespoons minced red bell pepper
• 4 ounces crab meat
• 1 cup fresh fine bread crumbs
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Cajun or Creole seasoning blend
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

Preparation:

Wash and trim the end of stems from mushrooms. Pop remaining stem out. Chop stems and set aside. Melt 2 tablespoons butter; brush over mushrooms. Spray a shallow baking dish (about 8-inch square, or one which will fit mushrooms in one layer) with butter-flavored spray or grease with butter.

Melt remaining butter in skillet; add reserved chopped stems, minced green onions and red bell pepper. Cook until vegetables are tender. Combine cooked ingredients with bread crumbs, crab meat, and seasonings. Fill each mushrooms, piling up. Sprinkle each mushroom with a little Parmesan cheese, if desired. Bake at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes, until hot and mushroom caps are tender.
Makes 16 to 20 stuffed mushroom appetizers.

*Creamy Shrimp Dip*

"This shrimp dip is made with sour cream and cream cheese, Ranch Dressing mix, and other seasonings."

Ingredients:

• 2 small packages (3 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon chopped green onion
• few drops hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 envelope Ranch Dressing mix (.4 ounce)
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste, optional
• 6 to 8 ounces small shrimp, drained and chopped

Preparation:

Beat cream cheese with sour cream until well blended. Blend in the green onion, hot sauce, paprika, dressing mix. Stir in shrimp. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper, if desired. Chill until serving time.

*Tangy Cocktail Franks*

"A tasty appetizer everyone will enjoy. Serve with decorative toothpicks. You can double the cocktail franks in this recipe."

Ingredients:

• 1 jar (12 ounces) currant jelly
• 2/3 cup chili sauce
• 2 teaspoons prepared mustard
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 pound cocktail franks or regular hot dogs cut in 1-inch slices
• 1 can sliced pineapple tidbits, drained, quartered
• dash ground cayenne or chipotle pepper, optional, or to taste

Preparation:

In a medium saucepan combine currant jelly, chili sauce, mustard, and lemon juice. Add the hot dogs or cocktail franks, pineapple, and ground pepper; simmer for about 5 minutes. Transfer to slow cooker and keep on LOW for serving. Serve with toothpicks.

 

 

*Glazed Sausage Bites*

"Sausage appetizers with herbs and a sauce of ketchup, brown sugar, and other ingredients."

Ingredients:

• 1 pound bulk pork sausage
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1/2 cup fine cracker crumbs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
• 1/8 teaspoon ground thyme
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Preparation:

In a bowl, combine sausage, egg, crumbs, 1/3 cup milk, and ground sage and thyme. Beat with electric mixer at high speed for 5 minutes. Shape into about 3 dozen small balls (about 1 1/4-inch diameter). The mixture is soft, so keep hands wet to make shaping easier. In a large skillet, in batches if necessary, brown the sausage balls slowly on all sides, about 12 minutes. Pour off excess fat. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over the sausage bites. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Makes about 3 dozen sausage bites.

*Crab Bites*
"These crab bites are so easy to make, and this recipe makes enough for 48 appetizers."

Ingredients:

• 6 English muffins, split
• 1 roll (6 ounces) garlic cheese, or a small jar (5 ounces) of Old English Cheese Spread, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, if not using garlic cheese
• 1 teaspoon freshly chopped parsley
• 1 can (6 to 7 ounces) crabmeat, drained, flaked
• sliced green onions and tomatoes for garnish, if desired

Preparation:

Heat oven to 350°. Arrange split muffins, cut side up, on a baking pan lined with foil.In a medium bowl, mash the garlic cheese or cheese spread with butter, mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, if using, and parsley. Stir in the crabmeat. Spread evenly over the split muffins. Bake for 10 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Cut into quarters and serve warm, garnished with green onions and diced tomatoes, if desired.

*Turkey Cocktail Meatballs w/ Orange Cranberry Glaze*

"One note about the diced hot peppers you see added in the video: Sweet cancels heat. Do not be scared to add these because you don't like spicy food. When you're dealing with a sweet sauce, which this certainly is, the heat from the peppers really gets mellowed out, and you get the benefit of the flavor without all the heat."

Turkey Cocktail Meatballs with Orange Cranberry Glaze Ingredients:
(makes about 32-36 cocktail-sized meatballs)
1 1/4 lb ground turkey
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
pinch of cayenne
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For the glaze
1 cup canned jellied cranberry sauce
1/2 cup orange jelly or marmalade
1/2 cup chicken broth or water
1 tablespoon minced jalapeno peppers, optional
1 tablespoon minced Fresno peppers, optional

*Sausage Balls*

"These are so yummy! Your family will want them every Christmas morning. Enjoy!"

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground pork sausage
• 2 cups biscuit baking mix
• 1 pound sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded

            Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, combine sausage, biscuit baking mix and cheese. Form into walnut size balls and place on baking sheets.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown and sausage is cooked through.               

*Decadent Truffles*

"Insanely easy, but oh so rich! Recipe makes a large amount but you can vary flavorings and coatings to make several different varieties."

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips, melted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

            Preparation

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until well blended. Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla until no streaks remain. Refrigerate for about 1 hour. Shape into 1 inch balls.               

*Buffalo Wings*

"My friends and family really seem to love these, and I encourage you to give them a try. The wings are always fried in Buffalo, but a really hot oven works just fine."

Ingredients:
2/3 cup Louisiana hot sauce
1 stick (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter
1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce or other hot sauce (like the Sriracha I used)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
salt to taste

 

*Cinnamon-Roasted Almonds*

"Here is an easy snack idea to serve at any holiday party."

Ingredients

• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon cold water
• 4 cups whole almonds
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

            Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Lightly grease a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan.
2. Lightly beat the egg white; add water, and beat until frothy but not stiff. Add the nuts, and stir until well coated. Mix the sugar, salt, and cinnamon, and sprinkle over the nuts. Toss to coat, and spread evenly on the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, stirring occasionally, until golden. Allow to cool, then store nuts in airtight containers.

 

*Eggnog*

"It is relatively easy to toss a few quarts of eggnog and a bottle of rum into a punch bowl, but take the time to make some eggnog from scratch and you will be amazed how great real eggnog can be."

Ingredients

• 12 jumbo egg yolks
• 1 pound granulated sugar
• 1 quart whole milk
• 1 quart heavy cream, lightly whipped
• 1 liter spiced rum
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

            Preparation

1. Beat yolks in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add sugar. Beat until mixture thickens. Stir in milk and rum. Pour into a large punch bowl and chill for 3-4 hours.
2. Fold in whip cream before serving. Garnish with freshly ground nutmeg.