With my spread out family, we often end up having three or four Christmas celebrations (especially now that a little one is in the mix). It’s a very rare year where we all sit down for one meal. This year, we have a pre-Christmas with my mother, who is visiting for Christmas Eve. Christmas Day, we head up to my father’s house for another round of festivities. To follow it all up, we have a post-Christmas get-together with my husband’s side of the family. I have some pretty good cooks in my family, so there’s a lot to look forward to. Of course, I will be making my own contributions, since I’m the one with the food blog (lots of pressure there).
I’ve put together some of my favorite recipes for a delicious Christmas dinner inspiration menu. Most of these recipes come together quickly and easily, and I’ve included a bonus recipe for the ambitious cook.
Duck Fat Roasted Cashews with Rosemary
Prosciutto, Burrata cheese and fig crostini
Soup
Main
Roasted Pork Loin with shallot and tarragon sauce
Side
Artichoke and mushroom casserole
Balsamic glazed Brussels sprouts
Dessert
Nutmeg and yogurt panna cotta, cranberry coulis
Apple Cake with whipped cream frosting
For the ambitious: Chocolate pumpkin cake
A lot of these recipes can be made ahead of time. Keep in mind that many of these recipes (like the pork loin) will need to be doubled or tripled depending on how many guests you are serving. I’ll be available to answer any questions if you have them. From my family to yours, have a loving (and delicious) holiday!
Christmas dinner menu 2013
I have to be completely honest here. I feel like I’m failing miserably at posting holiday-appropriate recipes. Looking around at my fellow bloggers, they are inundating the world with cookie-this and cheese-ball-that. I just don’t have it in me to prepare a ton of holiday recipes right now. Maybe when my 1-year-old isn’t tugging my pants down, or when I have more time…maybe next year I can be blogging perfection. The truth of it is I worked myself into a frenzy pre-Thanksgiving, and ran out of steam when I was presented with preparing for the next holiday AND creating a ton of new recipes at the same time.
I want to breathe. I want to enjoy this Christmas with my favorite little guy who it growing so quickly it hurts. He’s walking now, and drinking from a sippy cup. It amazes me to see him tottering around the house – balancing each careful step. Knowing how precious this time is, it feels wrong to stick him in his playpen, or on the iPad, so I can destroy my kitchen baking up a storm.
So I’m taking it easy, dear readers, and I don’t blame you if you do too. Pay attention to the people you love this year. Sit down and spend time with each other. Hold onto these moments. They won’t hold it against you if you don’t bake everything from scratch.
Speaking of scratch, I did manage to squeeze in this silly recipe for gooey gingerbread cakes. I call it silly because I don’t quite know what it is. It’s somewhere in-between a molten cake and a soufflé’, flavored with cinnamon, cloves and ginger. I’m one of those rare people who really love gingerbread. I adore chewy gingerbread men cookies, so wanted little soft cakes that were gooey inside. Served warm with a dusting of powdered sugar and some vanilla ice cream, they are pure heaven. If you love gingerbread.
Happy holidays everyone. I hope to post a few more recipes before Christmas, but I may not make it. Stay tuned!
Adapted from a recipe by Shayla Ebsen
Ingredients
Method
Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C.
Generously grease 5 ramekins with butter (if using 4 ramekins, double cook time).
Combine the flour, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a bowl.
In a small heavy saucepan, melt butter and white chocolate over medium-low heat. In a separate bowl, combine molasses, vanilla and lemon zest. Pour the warm butter mixture into the molasses mixture and stir until combined.
Using a whisk, add egg yolks to the molasses mixture one at a time until thoroughly combined.
In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed. When they become foamy, slowly add the brown sugar. Keep beating until the egg whites form stiff peaks.
Add half of the flour to the molasses mixture. Fold half of the egg whites into the molasses mixture. Keep alternating flour and egg whites, gently folding, until combined.
Pour mixture into ramekins. Cook for 12-14 minutes, checking often to make sure they do not overcook. They are done when they are puffed and the outer ½” edge is firm and golden. The center should still jiggle slightly. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Serve in the ramekins, or run a knife around the edge and flip out onto serving plates. Serve immediately.
Did you make this recipe? I’d love to hear from you! Post a comment below.
I know you make the effort to bring you reusable shopping bags when you go grocery shopping, but sometimes you forget. I do on occasion, and I hate that feeling. That’s when I remember I always have one, which is better than none. I love these super lightweight, strong–and cute–Flip and Tumble bags. They fold up into a little ball so you can always keep one (or a few) in the bottom of your purse. $11.20 each. 10 bright colors to choose from.
2.Flip and Tumble Reusable Produce Bags
So let’s just assume you remembered to bring your reusable shopping bags. Doesn’t it seem wrong to put your produce in the plastic bags they give you? It’s one of my pet peeves, and I usually end up sticking my naked produce right in the cart. With Flip and Tumble’s produce bags, this problem is solved! They look cute, too. $11.00 for 5 bags.
3. Bodum Bistro Double-Wall Insulated Glass Mugs
I’ve been enjoying these mugs for a few months now and I can’t recommend them enough. They are beautiful, made from mouth-blown glass. The 2-layers keep the outside of the mug cool to the touch, while insulating the liquid. Absolute genius. Winner of the European IF Design Award. $39.99 for a set of 2.
4. Siliconezone EZ Seal Clear Airtight Lids Set
A stocking stuffer every foodie will appreciate, the Silicone Zone airtight lid fits on any glass bowl (square or round), making an instant seal. They are reusable (we like that) and safe to use in the microwave, unlike most plastic wrap. They really work! $18.99, set of 3.
5. Fred M Cup Measuring Matroyshkas
Beautiful and functional, this set includes 6 measuring cups in the shape of traditional Russian dolls. They nest together for storage and ship in a colorful gift box. $7.68
6. Corkcicle Classic Wine Chiller
Corkcicle wine chiller keeps your wine bottle cold so it can hang out with you! What a genius idea. Freeze the BPA-free plastic gel and place it into your chilled white wine to keep it cold, or cool down your room temperature red. $24.25, available in traditional cork or 6 bright colors.
7. Grosche Madrid French Press Coffee and Tea maker
Made for both tea and coffee fans, check out this beautifully designed French press from Grosche. Available in 1 liter, 1.5 liter, or 1 cup sizes, it makes a great Secret Santa gift for the office. On sale for $37.67 ($60.00 retail).
8. The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook
I have to include the best-selling cook book from fellow blogger, Deb Perelman (go girl!). Her blog is an inspiration to me, and so is her cookbook. This home cook features simple recipes that are beautifully photographed in her little kitchen. On sale for $12.99 Kindle edition
9. Totally Bamboo 3-Tiered Salt Box
If you’re like me, you have at least 3 types of salt in your kitchen. If you’re not like me, you have one type of salt and a bunch of other spices you may want to keep handy. This beautifully crafted salt box from Totally Bamboo does the trick and looks good while doing it. $16.82 (sale price).
10. J.K. Adams Slate Cheese Tray
Stunning charcoal slate is the perfect backdrop for cheese and hors d’oeuvres when you are entertaining. Plus, you can write on it with soap stone to identify what your guests are eating. How chic are you? 16 x 12, $30.00 sale price.
