Christmas Menus

Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

Start with Christmas Menu Planning Tips...

Christmas Menu Planning Tips

¤ Plan the menu well in advance or simply use Chef-Menus as your guide

¤ Resist the temptation to repeat the traditional Thanksgiving menu. Your Christmas menu does not HAVE to include turkey, stuffing and yams!

¤ If using recipes, review them thoroughly as you prepare your shopping list

¤ If you really have no time, plan a menu that consists of dishes that can be made 3-4 days ahead and safely stored or frozen. Don't feel guilty about that!

¤ Decide which items can be purchased well in advance and either safely stored or frozen. Leave fresh items for last and purchase a day or two before the event

¤ Try to plan for everything to be done at least one hour before you wish to serve (good luck with that!). That way you can change into your party clothes, sip a cocktail and enjoy your guests!

Christmas Menus

Easy-Peasy Christmas Menu

Remember, Christmas is about gathering with loved ones. You don't need an extravagant meal to make wonderful memories. Happy Holidays!

Hot Chocolate
Set up a hot chocolate bar with marshmallows, different flavored syrups, and whipped cream for your guests to customize their drinks.

Deviled Eggs

Baked Honey Ham
Purchase instead? Opt for a bone-in or boneless ham from the supermarket.
Coat it with a  simple honey glaze and bake.

Roasted Potatoes and Carrots

Green Beans Italiano
For a touch of elegance, top with silvered and toasted almonds.

Purchased Christmas Sugar Cookies

Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Dip whole strawberries in melted chocolate chips 

Even Easier Peasier!

Christmas Punch
In a large bowl, mix together 4 cups of cranberry juice, 2 cups of orange juice, and 1 liter of ginger ale. Add orange slices for garnish.

Cheese and Crackers
Purchase a mix of different cheeses, sliced meats, grapes, and a variety of crackers.

Easy Baked Citrus Chicken

Easy Veggies
Use frozen vegetables such as green beans, spinach and peas. Season with lemon pepper, garlic and onion powder, butter or olive oil. Finish with lemon juice

Easy Chocolate Cake
Purchase is even easier!

Happy Holidays Menu 
This special holiday menu is reminiscent of an Italian multicourse meal. Our version is designed to be easy on the cook and can be adjusted to fit any budget or cusine.

The key is to plan small portions of each course.  Guests can socialize and have another glass of wine between courses. Who's going to complain?  Dishes can be individually plated or served family style.

Drinks and Appetizers
Appetizers can be easy and light. Check out these appetizer ideas and combinations

First Course
Easy Oven Parmesan Risotto
If desired, serve with Garlic Shrimp or a Butter Basted Lobster Tail

Second Course
Slow Roasted Striped Bass with Tomatoes and Olive Vinaigrette

Roasted Peppers with Olive Oil and Basil

Third Course
Make Ahead Ribeye Steaks with Red Wine Butter Sauce

Make Ahead Mashed Potato Casserole

Salad Course
Your Way Fruit and Greens Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

Dessert
Tiramisu

Coffee

After Dinner Drinks

Special Christmas Dinner

A Christmas rib roast is perfect for holiday celebration.  The meat is of course accompanied by potatoes and vegetables.  Serve with one or both of the sauces.

Christmas Appetizers

Rib Roast Beef with Horseradish Cream Sauce
or
Garlic Red Wine Vinaigrette

Rich Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Potatoes Au Gratin

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Lemony Spinach with Garlic and Hot Pepper Flakes

Caramel Pecan Cheesecake

Easy Elegance Christmas Menu

Lots of style and flavor here but not a lot of work

Raw Vegetables On Ice with Herb Dipping Sauce
Too easy: Get veggies from your favorite salad bar

Asian-Style Cold Lobster Salad
You only need 1 large lobster tail for this salad

Balsamic-Honey Glazed Lamb Chops with Pears

Easy Curried Rice

Oven Roasted Sweet Peppers with Citrus Vinaigrette

Berry Trifle

Big Flavor-Full Family Dinner

Marinated Cheese Appetizers
Serve with crackers or crispy flatbread

Easy Ambrosia

Orange Roasted Brisket

Rich Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans with Mustard and Mushrooms

Cranberry Salad
Prepare your favorite green salad. Add dried cranberries, pecans and blue cheese

Spiced Coconut Cake

Gingerbread Cookies and Ice Cream

Seafood Family Christmas
A favorite tradition that's extra special tasty.  Terrific menu for a small intimate gathering.  Lots of appetizers makes things so festive.  Serve an additional protein for non-seafood lovers

Sweet and Spicy Candied Pecans

Spicy Hot Crab Dip

Tapenade
Serve with crispy pita chips

Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
 
Easy Baked Citrus Chicken

Dijon and Herb Roasted Salmon

Shrimp In Champagne Sauce
Serve with Angel Hair Pasta

Roasted Asparagus with Orange Vinaigrette  

Favorite Green Salad
Add dried cranberries, mandarin oranges and toasted walnuts

Bourbon Chocolate Cake
or
Chocolate Toffee Trifle

Please Come Home for Christmas Menu
Growing up in New Orleans, this menu was a holiday family favorite. Yes, we loved our desserts! Leftover ham was used for delicious Po'Boys the next day

Assorted Fruits and Cheeses

Gumbo

Southern-Style Cola Baked Ham

Creole Potato Salad

Green Salad with Sliced Tomatoes and Olives

Pecan Pie

Easy Orange Rum Cake

Christmas Brunch
This brunch is light enough not to "spoil your dinner". There are no recipe links for this easy menu

Hot Cocoa with Marshmallows

English Muffins and Cranberry Cream Cheese
Mix whipped cream cheese with dried cranberries, a pinch of sugar and dash vanilla

Ruby Red Grapefruit Halves
Sprinkle with powdered sugar and put a cherry on top

Sauteed Turkey Sausages and Boiled Eggs
Top egg halves with a dollop of sour cream or mayo mixed with chives

Juices and Mineral Water

How to Cook Ham

Easy Classic Christmas
All our favorite holiday flavors. Make the brisket up to 2 days ahead and purchase the soup and bread.

Ham and Dijon Butter Canapes

Butternut Squash Soup

Cranberry Nut Bread

Family Favorite Brisket
Serve with Sweet Apple Chutney

Rich Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Potatoes AuGratin

Favorite Vegetables

Banana's Foster Crisp

Easy Chocolate Cake with Berries and Cream

New Traditions

Hot Cider - Wine - Mixed Drinks

Olives, roasted peppers, other antipasto-type veggies

Spicy Hot Crab Dip
Serve with an assortment of crisp crackers or vegetables

Herb-Rubbed Turkey with Roasted-Garlic Gravy

Pea and Mushroom Rice Pilaf

Sweet Potato Souffle

Roasted Asparagus with Orange Vinaigrette

Rolls - Butter

Bourbon Chocolate Cake

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