Holiday Favorites

December 1998 – There are lots of holidays, and lots of traditions that we develop with our families.

But none, I think, so important as the Christmas holidays. Our Christmas memories are surely some of the strongest and most special memories we have.

I remember Mom and the other women in the family, in the kitchen, preparing the traditional turkey and all the requisite accompaniments. And of course Dad carving the turkey.

I remember the Christmas crackers and the silly hats that came out of them that we would then wear through dinner. (Yes we did this one year at my brother Bob’s house too! His wife Norma made the crackers, and the silly hats that we wore through dinner.)

As our families grow and change, we add new traditions to our old favorites, to create our own unique experience.

Christmas is a time to bring out the special china, the special silverware, and the special recipes, old and new. And it’s a time to get together and share special foods with our friends, with our neighbours, with our co-workers too.

Here are some of my Christmas food traditions: snacks, special breakfast dishes, vegetables and side dishes, desserts, and even left overs.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good meal!

Cranberry Port Jelly

Sweet Potato Crumble

A great special occasion vegetable side dish, featuring creamy sweet potatoes topped with apples and cranberries and a crumble topping.

Carrot and Parsnip Gratin

Carrot and Parsnip Gratin

An excellent special occasion vegetable recipe that can be prepared the day before and then baked before serving.

Cheese Ball

Cheese Ball

Back in the day, a cheese ball was very fancy party fare!

Nuts and Bolts

Nuts and Bolts

Tasty snack recipe made with cereal, pretzels and nuts – vary the ingredients as desired to make your perfect snack mix.

Cranberry Port Jelly

Caramel Popcorn

Yummy popcorn with sweet caramel coating – you can also add nuts.

Cranberry Port Jelly

Pancakes

We made these pancakes on Christmas morning when I was a kid.

Cranberry Port Jelly

Christmas Breakfast Strata

Make this tasty casserole the night before and put it in the oven to bake on Christmas morning while you are opening presents.

Mincemeat Bran Muffins

Mincemeat Bran Muffins

Tasty bran muffins with mincemeat – make them for a holiday breakfast or brunch, or just to use up leftover mincemeat.

Cranberry Port Jelly

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes with cream cheese and sour cream, can be made the day before and reheated before serving.

Rutabaga and Pear Puree

Rutabaga and Pear Puree

Tasty side dish we like to serve for Christmas or Thanksgiving, but it is great anytime in the fall or winter when root vegetables are plentiful.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole

A great special occasion side dish with mashed sweet potatoes baked with a crunchy pecan topping.

Cranberry Port Jelly

Pineapple Carrot Jellied Salad

Jellied salads had their hayday in the 50’s and 60’s and we still insist on having this traditional dish on our Christmas dinner table.

Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry Sauce

I don’t think we ever saw a fresh cranberry when I was a kid, but fresh (or frozen) cranberries are now readily available to be able to make this tasty accompaniment to the holiday turkey.

Carrot Pudding

Carrot Pudding

Steamed puddings are a traditional British Christmas dessert, and in our family it always had to be carrot pudding.

Yule Log

Yule Log

A lovely festive holiday dessert, features chocolate cake roll with whipped cream filling and chocolate frosting.

Cranberry Port Jelly

Tomato Aspic Salad

Jellied salad recipe made with canned tomato soup, cream cheese and salad dressing.