[fearlessknight]

OK...I know there is already an Official Recipe thread, but I did not want to take away from it..or add something rather different to it..
I am a HUGE Christmas Lover....I like Thanksgiving too....But Christmas to me beats all...always!

So I would like to see on the recipes you all have for that Christmas or Thanksgiving cooking! They both go hand in hand!

I will be using the dishes I like too...so dont disappoint me..LMAO!

Its getting close! 3 more months..woo hoo!

[Chiapit]

I always host Christmas and Thanksgiving and I try and keep it simple due to time limits and quantities of food I cook (usually for 20-30 people), but the menu tends to be exactly the same every year so I'm looking forward to some new ideas!! Great thread!

[fearlessknight]

Originally Posted by Chiapit I always host Christmas and Thanksgiving and I try and keep it simple due to time limits and quantities of food I cook (usually for 20-30 people), but the menu tends to be exactly the same every year so I'm looking forward to some new ideas!! Great thread!

Thanks..I am in need of new stuff as well......

Here are a couple of links that may help inspire us a little!

YouTube - Its The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

YouTube - Its The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

YouTube - Christmas Lights - Holly Jolly Christmas

YouTube - Christmas Lights - Holly Jolly Christmas

YouTube - Christmas Canon - Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Full Version)

YouTube - Christmas Canon - Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Full Version)

Enjoy!
I know I do everyday of the year....even in the summer...even right now!

[NcPrisonGuard]

Ain't nothing better than a Cajun butter injected deep fried turkey... that and I make some kick ass Ranch Mashed Potatoes. Not much of a recipe there though..

[airwalk]

Hmm I love Christmas...Roast Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, candied yams, fresh baked rolls, cranberry sauce (well not so much a fan of cranberry sauce, but gotta have it right?), salad and green bean casserole...eat until stuffed....have a cup of coffee....come back for pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, cherry pie and french vanilla icecream.

Not original but ohhhhh sssooooo good.

[jeoestreich]

For my family Chirstmas my parent always make the the meat (usually prime rib) and all my sibilings bring side dishes. Last year I brought crab-artichoke-spinach dip. This year, I think I am going to try and bring a pumpkin cheesecake and pesto pinwheels.

[debo-dumbo-ears]

oooohhhh, I loooove holiday food. This is one of my must-haves:

Cranberry "Salad"

Per 1 package of fresh or frozen whole cranberries:
1 - 1.5 cup sugar
1 can crushed pineapple, drained
1 big can or 2 small cans mandarin oranges, drained
1/2 - 1 bag mini marshmallows
1 pint heavy cream, whipped or 1 container whipped dessert topping
nuts (optional)

finely chop up cranberries w/ a little sugar in a food processor or blender. Mix remaining sugar w/ chopped cranberries to taste.
Add pineapple, oranges & nuts if using. Mix it up.
Fold in whipped cream & marshmallows.
Cover & refrigerate for a couple-few hours.

Obviously, you can tweak the recipe how you like. It's a basic ambrosia type "salad" w/ cranberries. It turns out this lovely, festive pink color.
mmm can't wait . . .

[fearlessknight]

Originally Posted by debo-dumbo-ears oooohhhh, I loooove holiday food. This is one of my must-haves: Cranberry "Salad" Per 1 package of fresh or frozen whole cranberries: 1 - 1.5 cup sugar 1 can crushed pineapple, drained 1 big can or 2 small cans mandarin oranges, drained 1/2 - 1 bag mini marshmallows 1 pint heavy cream, whipped or 1 container whipped dessert topping nuts (optional) finely chop up cranberries w/ a little sugar in a food processor or blender. Mix remaining sugar w/ chopped cranberries to taste. Add pineapple, oranges & nuts if using. Mix it up. Fold in whipped cream & marshmallows. Cover & refrigerate for a couple-few hours. Obviously, you can tweak the recipe how you like. It's a basic ambrosia type "salad" w/ cranberries. It turns out this lovely, festive pink color. mmm can't wait . . .

WOW..that sounds great, and I can imagine the taste and the pretty look it has!
Thanks!

[debo-dumbo-ears]

Originally Posted by fearlessknight WOW..that sounds great, and I can imagine the taste and the pretty look it has! Thanks!

You're welcome! It is a popular one - I get requests for it every year. If I didn't make it, I don't think I'd be invited back! lol It kind of sounds like a weird combo, but it really works.

[fearlessknight]

Originally Posted by debo-dumbo-ears You're welcome! It is a popular one - I get requests for it every year. If I didn't make it, I don't think I'd be invited back! lol It kind of sounds like a weird combo, but it really works.

I dont think it is a weird combo at all.....In fact (to me anyways) it is the best recipe for any type of fruit salad I have ever seen....I love fruit, but i hate wldarf and fruit salad...I mean MAYO....yuck.....grapes and whio cream...YUCK....

NOw oranges, pineapples, and CRANBERRIES....with whip cream and marshmallows (or the marshmallow cream) sounds TASTEY...I am ready for it!

[Chiapit]

I usually don't eat fruit, just never liked it...but this sounds really yummy....and it seems simple to prepare too

[fearlessknight]

Confectioners Custard:

Whip together 3 egg yolks, 4 ozs castor sugar and 1 oz flour. Boil ½ pint of milk. Whip into batter, turn into double pan over hot water and stir until mixture is very thick and smooth. This becomes Vanilla Sauce if the milk is boiled with two vanilla pods and ¼ pint single cream and folded into the mixture.

This stuff is great! and when adding the vanilla, makes it even better!

[fearlessknight]

Brandy butter:

Ingredients

4 oz butter
12 oz sifted icing sugar
1 raw egg yolk
2fl.oz brandy
Grated rind of one orange

Method

Cream butter with grated rind. Add half the sugar and beat together until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk, remaining sugar and brandy, beating again. This mixture will keep for at least two weeks in a fridge.

[fearlessknight]

Cranberry Streusel Coffee Cake:

Streusel:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter

Cake:
1/2 cup soft butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
2 cups cranberries


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

For streusel: mix together brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Blend in butter until crumbly. Set aside.

For cake: cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla.

Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture, alternately with sour cream or yogurt.

Spread in a greased 9 inch tube pan.

Cover with cranberries, and sprinkle the streusel on top.

Bake for about 55 minutes.

Remove from pan, and serve warm.

[fearlessknight]

Deep Dish Pumpkin Pie:

1 3/4 cups flour
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 cup cold butter or margarine, cut into small pieces
1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans or any kind you like)
1 can (16 oz) pumpkin
1 can (14 oz) Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and sugars. Cut in butter or margarine until crumbly. Stir in nuts.

Reserve 1 cup of the crumb mixture. Press the remainder firmly on the bottom and halfway up the sides of a 12 x 7 inch baking dish.

In a large mixer bowl, combine remaining ingredients (except reserved crumb mixture) and mix well. Pour into prepared dish. Top with reserved crumb mixture.

Bake for 55 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool. Serve with vanilla ice cream if you like

[Galadriel]

Hot spiced cider (NOT for the kidletts)

I qt bottled apple cider
1 red apple
whole cloves
1 large orange, sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
1/4 tsp nutmeg
rum to taste (or enough for desired effect)

Pour apple cider into a large sauce pan, set to medium heat. Stud apple with whole cloves, about 15, place in cider. Add rum, cinnamon sticks, and orange slices. Bring just to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove apple, oranges, and cinnamon. Take car keys from all your guests, and serve hot.

[fearlessknight]

Pecan Puffs


1 cup butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 cup chopped pecans
Additional white sugar


Directions: Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Soften butter to room temperature.

Cream butter, add sugar and beat until fluffy. Stir in vanilla.

Add flour and stir until combined. Mix in the chopped pecans.

Roll into small balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 15 - 20 minutes, until the bottoms are golden brown.

Put some white sugar in a small bowl. While hot, roll each cookie in the sugar to coat, and set on a rack or plate to cool.

[Michele]

Fearless: what is castor sugar?

[fearlessknight]

Velvet Fudge:

3 cups white sugar
2 tablespoons corn syrup
3 squares unsweetened chocolate
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup evaporated milk (Carnation)
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Directions: Combine In a large saucepan mix sugar, corn syrup, chocolate, salt, Carnation milk, and butter.

Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly until soft ball stage is reached - 236 degrees F. on a candy thermometer. (Or drop a teaspoonful into a cup of cold water - if it forms a soft ball then it is ready, if it spatters apart it is not.)

Let cool slightly, and stir in vanilla and nuts if desired.

Beat until thick and creamy.

Turn into a buttered pan (8 inch square or round pan) and cut into squares.

[Galadriel]

mmmmm....fuuuudge.
My arm hurts just thinking about mixing it =)
Is that a beat it until the sheen is gone kind of thing? May have to try it this weekend.