Christmas Day Menus and Recipes

Christmas. Thirteen days away. How can that be? Wasn't it May just moments ago?

Today, I am attacking the grocery list for the holiday. I also need to make my sugar glazed walnuts for family, rehab nurses, neighbors and friends. A nice little special gift. 

I am beginning to pull together a list of things to do leading up to Christmas. It is a lot but if I break it down to a bit everyday, I will survive! Kimberly and William are arriving on the 19th but Michael does not want me to cook anything for dinner while they are here. He has so many other plans. That alone takes a lot off of my things-to-do list. 

Michael is going to go over the pass very early to drive mom to our house Christmas morning so she won't miss a moment. As my sister's family will arrive around noon, the day's food will feature lunch, appetizers and dinner. They will join us for breakfast the day after Christmas as they are staying the night at a hotel just a mile away. I must be prepared and have everything planned and ready to go. 

Though I will continue to eat only food on my diet throughout the day, I am planning to take a bite of the dessert. It is odd but I just don't taste while cooking (Michael and William sample all the food and I ask for their opinions!) or even eat much food once it is cooked!

So, for those foodies among us, here are the menus:

Christmas Breakfast
Quiche Lorraine - http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/quiche_lorraine/
Cinnamon Rolls with cook bacon wrapped in them - http://www.framedcooks.com/2010/09/bacon-cinnamon-rolls.html

Christmas Lunch
Melon with Basil and Sugared Baked Bacon and a little fresh lime juice
Tossed greens with figs and goat cheese
Open-Faced Ham and Cheese Sandwiches - Recipe below

Appetizers while opening presents
Champagne Cocktails -http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Classic-Champagne-Cocktail-362449
Max's Opera Cafe's Chicken Livers on Russian Rye
Horseradish Cheese (at Safeway) with crackers
Fresh Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce
Olives

Christmas Dinner
Filet of Beef covered with coarse mustard, herbs and prosciutto
Pancetta and Porcini Potato Gratin - https://sites.google.com/site/closetcookingprintablerecipes/pancetta-and-porcini-potato-gratin
Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions and Bacon -  http://www.musingsofahousewife.com/2012/04/roasted-brussels-sprouts-with-bacon-and-caramelized-onions.html
Garlic Bread

Dessert
Norwegian Cardamon-Almond Tart http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2012/12/yarnall-familys-fyrstekake
Homemade Chocolate Truffles - recipe below

Post Christmas Breakfast
Ham Steak
Leftover Quiche Lorraine
Leftover Melon, Basil and Bacon Salad
Homemade Blueberry Coffee Cake - http://www.channelingcontessa.com/2011/06/19/blueberry-coffe-cake/

Open-Face Ham and Cheese Sandwiches with Poppy Seeds

Makes 4

1/4 cup butter, room temperature

¼ cup finely chopped onion

2 T. German or spicy brown mustard

3 t. poppy seeds

4 ½” thick French bread slices

Melted butter

8 thin ham slices (order at deli counter)

8 thin Swiss cheese slices (order at deli counter)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir ¼ cup butter, onion, mustard and 2 t. poppy seeds in a small bowl to blend.

Brush 1 side of each bread slice with melted butter; arrange buttered side down on baking sheet. Spread mustard mixture on bread slices, dividing equally. Arrange 2 ham slices, then 2 cheese slices atop each bread slice. Trim ham and cheese to fit bread. Sprinkle sandwiches with remaining 1 t. poppy seeds.

Bake sandwiches until cheese starts to melt and bottom of bread is lightly toasted, about 15 minutes. Serve hot.

Chocolate Truffles

Makes 25

¼ cup water

9 oz. semi-sweet chocolate

3 t. butter, in pieces

¾ cup crème fraiche or heavy cream

2 T. confectioners’ sugar

unsweetened cocoa powder

In a saucepan with the ¼ cup water, melt the chocolate over low heat. Stir until smooth and creamy, then stir in the butter, piece by piece. Stir in the cream and confectioners’ sugar. The finished mixture should be perfectly uniform in color and texture. Remove from the heat, aloe to cool to room temperature, then place in the refrigerator to stiffen.

Spread some unsweetened cocoa powder on a plate. Arrange about 25 paper candy cases on a serving plate. Remove the truffle mixture from the refrigerator and form it into little balls with your fingers. As each one is made, roll it in the cocoa, then place it in a paper case. These are best served immediately, but if you must wait, keep them in the refrigerator until ready to serve.