One of the things we strive for when planning our menus is making everything fit together into one nice, neat little package. We look to use ingredients in different ways throughout the week so that we’re benefiting from the ability of do-aheads and being able to buy in bulk. We also benefit from a well-stocked pantry.
I have a confession to make. I haven’t really been following a menu the last couple weeks. You see, after Kjell’s hospital stay and subsequent doctor craziness, these meals started showing up at the door. In fact, they started showing up in the hospital. There was suddenly a large amount of food in our PICU room that second day, even though I hadn’t ordered it.
So, while I sat there in the hospital feeling slightly lost and confused, my dear friends sent food. When I got home to a messy house, they set up food to be delivered, and finally, completely unrelated to each other, another group of bloggers sent house keeping to help me catch up over the holidays. (I opted for after the holiday mess, and I’m sooo looking forward to it!)
To my dear, dear friend, Heather, I adore you. Thank you so much for being there to talk, to make food appear, to worry right along with me. For Missy, you are incredible. Thank you for assisting Heather as she tried to bridge the gap between the miles. Your giving of yourself has touched us so. And for the food: Liz Paul, Liz Heinecke, Kate Selner, Suzi Magill, Melissa Floyd, Molly Snyder, Ellie Strike and Erin Clotfelter , your kindness and generosity was much appreciated. I hope I can one day do the same for you.
Christmas menu forthcoming. What are you eating for Christmas? Do you have favorite recipes, traditions, cookies? We make a ton of cookies and desserts. I have to make up for the rest of the year when I, well, just don’t all that often. Still, we don’t see many of them, because most of them are meant to be gifted away to family and friends. It’s one of my favorite things to do for Christmas…err, New Year’s (because that’s usually when I get them mailed out).
Appetizers – Olive Cheese Bread, Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers, Pear and Bleu Cheese Bruschetta
Soup – Potato Leek Soup
Salad – Cranberry Pecan Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Main Course – Filet Mignon in Red Wine Balsamic Reduction
Dessert – Apple Pie Cheesecake, Peppermint Patties, Shortbread, Gingered Orange Shortbread
The Preparation Shortcuts:
1. Jalapenos can be prepped beforehand, just leaving the baking to before guests arrive.
2. The potato leek soup can be made up to the cream addition and then reheated, cream stirred in and heated until desired temperature is reached just before serving.
3. Prep the salad dressing and store toppings separate from lettuce and dressing. Just toss and serve on Christmas Day.
4. Make the desserts ahead of time so they’re ready to be consumed whenever you have room for them.More Christmas recipes from Food for My Family:
Hot Chocolate Cupcakes
Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Herbed Prime Rib Eye Roast
Cherry Chocolate Cupcakes
Raspberry Truffles
Christmas Cakes and Cookies with iambaker.net
Its easy to want to do things for you… you seem to always be doing things for others! 🙂 I am not surprised that so many reached out… you are a much beloved friend!
Blessings-
Amanda
So sorry to hear about all the craziness going on…but isn’t it always nice to be reminded of how great people are?
My Christmas menu always consists of coffee cake for breakfast, and lots and lots of sugar cookies!!
We aren’t having a big dinner this year, everyone is usually too tired by then, so we are having a variety of appetizers during the day. I’m making bacon wrapped shrimp, sausage balls, stuffed mushrooms, and pizza bread. 🙂
I hope you have a very merry CHristmas!!
You’re so sweet, Shaina – and I dearly hope things are going better and that your little guy is well and healthy. Blessings to you all!
Though we’re all alone this Christmas without any family coming to visit, I’m making Rachael Ray’s Christmas pasta (not normally a huge Rachael Ray fan, but this stuff is good!), fresh garlic bread and a chocolate pretzel tart just for the three of us. And I always, always always make my mom’s apple puffed pancake for breakfast while we open gifts. And now that I think of it, I’m going to have to post that recipe 🙂
Isn’t it amazing the friends we make by blogging……….When I started blogging a few years ago I never imagined the friendships I would gain.
Merry Christmas to you and your family Shaina!
Beautiful menu! I might have to try that olive cheese bread asap. Happy holidays!
I actually wrote a comment here, too… so might as well check to see I am actually out of SPAM jail… too bad the comment is lost.
🙂
valerie
Yeah! It worked!!!!
WHOOO-HOOO!
You are so welcome.
xoxo
Also. YUM.
Merry Christmas, Shaina and family! Hope it was special.
Glad to help. I hope you and your family had a Merry Christmas!
Isn’t it amazing the friends we make by blogging……….When I started blogging a few years ago I never imagined the friendships I would gain. Merry Christmas to you and your family Shaina!