There was quite a bit of talk around Thanksgiving about how tired folks are of the traditional turkey/dressing/casserole routine.
“There’s a reason we only eat it once a year”.
I heard that a lot. I tend to agree.
Catering has become popular, and we are guilty here at our fort. We practiced a ‘clean kitchen Thanksgiving’ and bought all of our food already prepared. All we had to do was heat it up. Don’t judge; having a 2- and a 4-year-old running around makes cooking a feast difficult. It makes cleaning up even harder.
What is the cost of bucking tradition? I can say that I’m not really looking forward to the roasted/smoked turkey or ham, casseroles, etc. but it’s for a reason that you might not expect. The reality is that everyone who ventures to cook in a kitchen has a dish that they absolutely crush. And it is NEVER turkey, ham, or a casserole.
Here’s my suggestion: why not use Christmas (and Thanksgiving) to let the host show off and have them cook what they make best? I would argue that it would be a much more crowd-pleasing experience, and there wouldn’t be too many leftovers.
I’ve said it before, and I’m happy to say it again. Mrs. RCS can cook. That woman was blessed with the ability to whip up a five-star meal that you won’t forget. She has figured out the iron skillet to oven NY Strip move as good as any steakhouse here in Atlanta. She has a roasted brussel sprout dish that will make you question any sort of evolution…it’s Godly. However, her crown jewel is her Chicken Piccata. I’m drooling writing about it. How does this sound for Christmas dinner?:
Chicken Picatta
Fetticini Alfredo
Roasted Brussells
Hawaiian rolls (duh)
An Italian White to drink (something like a Fontevecchia Verdicchio)
Chocolate Parfets for dessert (I’ll make these)
Let’s hear it – what’s on your wish list for Christmas dinner? Leave a comment below…
100% agree. We moved away from the traditional Christmas dinner years ago. Now, we let the kids pick. Last year was hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. This year is tacos.
Christmas Eve –
Spiral Ham
Leg of Lamb
Asparagus
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sage Rolls
Christmas Day –
Holiday Gumbo
Prime Rib
Creamed Spinach
Roasted Mushrooms
Brussels Sprouts w. Bacon & Soy
TDB Napa Cab
Homemade Yule Log for dessert
Merry Christmas
We are doing a pot roast in the slow cooker! Never done it for Christ but I’m excited. Throw everything in there and let it cook low and slow. Merry Christmas to you and yours! Cheers!
Eve: 7 Fishes (Grandma from Italy)
Day: Beef Tenderloin with a mixture of steakhouse style & family tradition sides
Enjoy your take on this stuff, Merry Christmas
Christmas Eve
Bone in rib roast
Rosemary crème fraische
Scalloped potatoes
Christmas Day
Lasagna
Standing Rib Roast cooked just like this:
https://amazingribs.com/tested-recipes/beef-and-bison-recipes/prime-rib-and-other-beef-roasts/?fbclid=IwAR0EljiFMQ1ggIZ3F1OrdIYvpRo2vdJjk8cGhbUJyP-b0u3UgbFE333jrGE
Each family unit has a specialty area for any holiday celebration meal.
Sister-in-law is nicknamed “Dip Lady”. We can’t wait to see what she creates for us each gathering.
There are several signature dessert dishes we expect and look forward to as well that have been in the family for years.
Side dishes just take up space for meat and dessert. ??
And it is NEVER turkey, ham, or a casserole. – son, you need to pull up to our table! I CRUSH those.
Favorite Christmas Menu
Tenderloin/Prime Rib/NY Strip roast – plain, simple – salt, pepper
Ina Garten’s Spinach Gratin
Potatoes of some kind – mashed, roasted, hell, even that 1970’s hasbrown casserole works with cream o’chicken soup
Ambrosia or coca-cola salad – something to cut all the fat
Biscuits
Dessert: my wife’s Angel Bavarian which is light and delicious
All washed down with enough champagne to have filled even Sir Winston Churchill’s cellars
Merry Christmas, Kids!
Our only tradition is we have no tradition. Two years ago I filled the entire kitchen island with a charcuterie to die for (yes, I am ahead of the trends—I’ve also worn and discarded the middle hair part as well…so 2 years ago). This year it’s brunch with mimosas and Bloody Mary bar.
Being Jewish, we’ve always gone with Chinese take out. Growing up we’d bundle up, pick up some take out and go look at Christmas lights around town while the roads were empty and everyone else was inside with their families.
Being Presbyterian, I think your December 25th practice sounds pretty awesome
Well – did I miss the part where you shared Mrs. RCS’s recipes for chicken piccata and Brussels sprouts?
I used to do a whole coffee-crusted beef tenderloin with sage-mushroom sauce over cheese grits.
This year, I’ll make quail sauce for pappardelle from scratch. Simple side salad. Chocolate pots de creme for dessert. Easy peasy!
We still keep it very traditional. With everything else falling apart in the world, I like my Thanksgiving and Christmas menu old school.
Although we have switched from Christmas ham to prime rib…
From Louisiana:
Two Filet tenders, Spiral Ham, Green Bean casserole (I would put money on my wife’s – its not the bland typical one most do), macaroni & cheese, cornbread stuffing, salad, lots of dips and sides, boudin, fried alligator and fish to start.
We also always get sushi and Chinese over the Holiday break – not for Christmas itself though – but its still a fun tradition
We never had a traditional Christmas dinner in my home growing up. We opted instead for a Christmas brunch which basically consisted of everyone grazing and picking from a smorgasbord on the dining room table throughout the day. We continue this tradition today, which has turned into more of a potluck now that kids and grandkids are involved. Everything from a Bloody Mary bar, to ham biscuits, shrimp cocktail and food that’s easy to eat with your hands and in small bites.
Do you see the little boy on the far right of the picture? The one who looks kinda pissed, kinda devilish, kinda bored with all this happy crap and ready to eat and then go play with his presents? That was me.