Christmas Cooking For Dummies

This baked Brie with roasted apples is warm, gooey, delicious, and easy to make. Served with chunky homemade applesauce, it is a perfect appetizer for you Christmas or Thanksgiving party and is sure to impress your guests at holiday gatherings both formal and informal. Bries have a range of butterfat content, from 45 percent to 70 percent, and all should be served at room temperature to take advantage of Brie’s inherently creamy nature.

Cassoulet is a festive, budget-friendly main dish that's just right for a family Christmas dinner. This version of the classic French casserole makes a rich bean stew full of five types of meat. You can make it a month ahead and freeze, so it's a perfect dish for holiday entertaining. ©iStockphotos.com/ALLEKOThis cassoulet benefits from an overnight rest in the refrigerator.

Pecan pie is a holiday classic. Christmas or Thanksgiving meals may not be complete without one. But this is not your average pecan pie. It’s still rich and gooey, but it has chocolate added for good measure. Serve with softly whipped cream or ice cream to cut the richness. Chocolate Pecan Pie Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 60 minutes; 2-1/2 hours chilling Yield: 10 servings 1/2 Basic Piecrust (The Basic Piecrust recipe makes two crusts; for this recipe, you need only one) 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped 1 cup lightly packed dark brown sugar 1-1/4 cups light corn syrup 4 large eggs 2 tablespoons Kahlua or other coffee liqueur 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 cups whole pecans, toasted Spray a 9-inch glass deep-dish pie plate with pan coating.

Smoothies make a real treat for Christmas brunch. You freeze the fruit for this overnight so whipping the smoothies up on Christmas morning, is a snap. The soy-based version is worth trying at least once; it’s creamy and yummy and gives you a nutritional boost. Fruit Smoothies Preparation time: 5 minutes Yield: 2 servings 4 frozen peach slices (or use canned peaches packed in fruit juice, drained, placed in a resealable bag, and frozen) 1 large banana, peeled, placed in a resealable bag, and frozen 1/4 cup frozen raspberries (or use fresh raspberries placed in a resealable bag and frozen) 3/4 cup orange juice (plus extra as needed) 3/4 cup vanilla soymilk or vanilla yogurt Place all the ingredients in a blender.

To shop for the ingredients for Christmas brunch for six, print this shopping list and carry it to the store a couple days in advance, so you have everything you need to follow this easy brunch menu. This menu has dishes for every taste: Citrus Breakfast Fruit Salad with Yogurt and Granola Over Night Frenc

Chestnuts are a Christmas time classic and a great addition to Brussels sprouts. These glossy brown nuts are harvested in the fall. Before eating, they must be peeled and cooked. The following recipe takes advantage of fully prepared and cooked vacuum-packed chestnuts, but if you find them in their raw state and you can prepare them.

An Italian Christmas Eve tradition involves a multi-course seafood dinner where you might enjoy a delicious seafood stew. This holiday dish is sure to impress. just round it off with some crusty bread and perhaps a salad and cheese course.Although this is a low-fat recipe, it doesn't skimp on flavor. Low-Fat Seafood Stew Preparation time: 10 minutesCooking time: 25 minutesYield: 8 servings 1/4 cup olive oil 2 large yellow onions, diced 1 fennel bulb, chopped and diced, fennel tops reserved 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon thyme 2 teaspoons crushed rosemary 1 bay leaf 4 cups bottled clam juice 2 cups dry white wine 28-ounce can plum tomatoes, drained and chopped 2 dozen small clams, scrubbed 2 dozen mussels, scrubbed 2 pounds sea bass fillets, cut into 1-inch pieces 2 dozen large shrimp (20 to 25 shrimp per pound size) Three 4-ounce frozen lobster tails, defrosted, cut into thirds Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.

A classic steamed Christmas pudding contains suet, which is animal fat. This recipe for Christmas pudding with rum cream excludes the suet and is much lighter as a result. Dried fruit and rum provide the rich flavor. Start this at least one day before serving. Kids can help measure and stir. Occasionally, it’s served flaming with a sprig of holly on top.

It may be Christmas morning, but you and your family still have to eat. Citrus fruit salad with yogurt and granola is a light, easy breakfast that doesn’t leave you slaving in a hot kitchen. This dish is also good without the yogurt and granola for a simple fruit salad. Be sure to remove the bitter white pith beneath the skin of the citrus fruit.

A Thanksgiving dinner isn’t complete without stuffing, a budget-wise and filling side dish. This classic bread stuffing has apples for moistness, and sausage and cognac for flavor. You can substitute brandy for the cognac, if you like. Classic Bread Stuffing with Sausage, Apples, and Cognac Credit: ©iStockphoto.

Nothing says “Christmas” like these delectable sugar cookies with icing. Bake them for the family or offer them as small holiday gifts to friends and coworkers. Enjoy the sugar cookies plain, or dress them up for Christmas with Royal Icing. Classic Sugar Cookies with Optional Icing Recipe Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 8 minutes; 2 hours cooling time Yield: Thirty-six 3-inch cookies 1-1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature 1-1/2 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 large eggs 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour Sugar or colored sugar (optional) Beat the butter in a mixer until it’s creamy.

Try this easy side dish with maple-glazed turkey for a memorable Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner. Take advantage of frozen pearl onions. They are easy to find, don’t have any additives, and are a perfect example of a convenient product that does not compromise quality. Creamed Onions and Mushrooms Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes Yield: 10 servings 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced 8 ounces shiitake mushrooms, sliced 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika 4 cups frozen pearl onions, defrosted 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth 1 cup dry white wine 1 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley Salt and pepper to taste Melt the butter in a large sauté pan.

In Italy, antipasti can include rice dishes, egg dishes, fish and shellfish, and more, but for your pre-Christmas dinner purposes, a lighter selection is just fine and will fit into even a tight budget. Many dishes that Italians consider as appetizers can easily be found readymade. Just gather together purchased and homemade foods and arrange them on a large platter or on a series of smaller dishes.

Chocolate shortbread cookies are a chocoholic's version of the classic Christmas treat. This shortbread cookie has a deep chocolate flavor with a hint of coffee. You don’t have to chill the dough before rolling it out, so they’re very quick to make. As with all cutout cookies, kids love to help. Deep Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes Equipment: 3-inch cookie cutters, rolling pin Yield: 4 dozen cookies 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature 1-1/4 cups sugar 4-1/4 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder or instant coffee 1/4 teaspoon salt Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Whether you're having breakfast or brunch on Christmas morning, make it easy to prepare. Here are some inexpensive ideas for feeding your family on Christmas Day. Set out a glass bowl of granola, pitchers of juice and milk, a platter of fresh fruit, a bowl of vanilla yogurt, and a basket of muffins or breakfast pastries from the bakery.

If you find salmon on sale around Christmas time, gravlax makes a substantial appetizer to serve at your holiday gathering. Gravlax is an elegant addition to your appetizer repertoire. Raw salmon is cured for a few days in the refrigerator with sugar and salt; that’s about it. There are differences in the tastes of the various salmon, but the most important thing is to buy fresh or appropriately frozen fish.

Make this oyster stew as part of a New England Christmas dinner. Oyster Stew may sound exotic, but it is very simple — just three ingredients, plus seasonings. Serve with French bread to sop up the creamy soup. This soup does not store well, so prepare the amount you wish to serve immediately. You may halve or double the recipe with no problem.

This is a great way to fix bacon ahead of time. Fix it on Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning, you just pop it into the over. You can serve it with Over-Night French Toast or mix up pancakes while it is cooking. This bacon is sweet with brown sugar and tangy with Dijon mustard. If you have a grill pan, use it while making this recipe.

This quick meal is perfect for the busy holiday season. Throw it together after a late evening of Christmas shopping, and serve it with a salad. Fusilli is the perfect pasta shape to grab a hold of this caramelized onion sauce. A large wok is the ideal vessel for sautéing the large amount of onions. You need to get your timing down right in this recipe.

Making a gingerbread house is a Christmas activity that kids enjoy. This gingerbread is not for eating; it’s for construction. It’s edible, but therefore drier than gingerbread for eating. Credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Ruth Black 2012 The recipe makes a large batch, so you’ll have some left over for trees or other shapes to add to the landscape.

To make this gingered-pear sauce, make sure the pears are ripe to take advantage of their flavor, which will intensify upon roasting. This sauce goes great with ham. The technique of roasting works fantastically when applied to fruit because the high heat caramelizes the sugars in the fruit. Roasting fruit is simple enough to do and requires only simple preparations: peeling and slicing the fruit, tossing the fruit with some sugar, and throwing it in the oven.

Herbed Asiago Cheese Crisps are melted cheese rounds that make a great accompaniment to Christmas cocktails. To cut cost try using Swiss or cheddar cheese. You’ll still end up with an appetizer that people won't be able to stop eating. Older kids can help grate the cheese; younger kids can arrange the cheese on the baking sheets.

The sharp bite of horseradish goes great with your Christmas rib roast. This tangy, creamy sauce is a perfect foil to roast beef. Make it the morning of your meal so that the flavors have time to meld. Horseradish starts as a root. The plant has large, wavy-edged leaves, but the root is what holds the flavor. The root is scrubbed clean and then the outer part is grated.

Bûche de Noël is a special Christmas desert made of yellow sponge cake rolled around a cherry and white chocolate filling. After you have made the cake, and the fillings, follow the steps here to assemble a decorate a Bûche de Noël that will wow your holiday guests. Assembling and Decorating Instructions for Your Bûche de Noël 1 yellow sponge cake 1 recipe Whipped White Chocolate Ganache Filling and Frosting 1 recipe cherry filling 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar Use a knife tip to loosen cake edges.

After you have baked your gingerbread according to the gingerbread template and created the icing, you are ready for the fun part — putting your gingerbread house together. So put on your hard hat and whip out a pastry bag with a #10 tip, if you have one. If not, just use a table knife and glop the icing onto the gingerbread.

Onion dip is a party staple. To dress up this classic dip for Christmas gathering use caramelized onions. After tasting this recipe, you will never make onion dip with soup mix again. (Well, maybe never!) You do find the traditional sour cream in this dip, but the onion flavor comes from fresh, thinly sliced onions that are cooked nice and slow until they caramelize.

One head of cauliflower can feed a lot of people. Although some people claim not to like cauliflower, Béchamel sauce dresses up cauliflower in this recipe, making it a great Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish. This creamy, easy casserole will delight even non-cauliflower lovers. Don’t be put off by the term gratin.

Whether you are hosting a large Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner, an intimate Christmas brunch, or just a small party during the holiday season, champagne punch makes the occasion feel even more festive. This punch is a great and delicious way to extend a bottle of champagne. It’s perfect for a large gathering.

Inexpensive to make, yet tasty, this bean and corn salsa is Christmas-colored with red peppers and fresh green cilantro. This is a great recipe to make with kids because, after measuring, all you do is mix it together in one big bowl. Christmas Salsa Preparation time: 10 minutes Yield: 6 cups Two 15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained 11-ounce can corn niblets, drained 1 cup prepared salsa, chunky style 1 medium red pepper, diced 3 scallions, sliced, using half of the green part 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 teaspoon cumin Salt and pepper to taste Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.

Snowdrop cookies are a must in your Christmas cookie repertoire. These snowdrops are a buttery cookie enriched with ground pecans. Many cookies out there are similar to these, and all the variations are popular during the holidays. Snowdrop Cookies Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes Yield: 36 cookies 2/3 cup pecan halves 1 cup confectioners' sugar Pinch salt 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1-1/4 cup confectioners' sugar (approximately) for the coating Place the pecans, confectioners' sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor that’s been fitted with a metal blade.

These are the sugarplums of children’s dreams. Sugarplums are small candies made from dried fruit; kids love making them. If you’re making them for adults, try the spirited version; otherwise, use orange juice as the liquid. Credit: ©iStockphoto.com/tjasam 2012 Sugarplums Preparation time: 10 minutes Yield: Thirty-six 1-inch sugarplums 1/2 cup finely chopped dried figs 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans 1/4 cup finely chopped dates 1/4 cup finely chopped dried cherries 1/4 cup finely chopped golden raisins 1/4 cup unsweetened grated coconut 2 tablespoons rum, orange liqueur, or orange juice 1 cup confectioners sugar (approximately) The various fruits and nuts should be uniform in size.

Christmas is a great time to get kids involved in holiday craft projects. Help them make these inexpensive glass votives decorated as gifts for their teachers. The cinnamon sticks used to decorate the candles fill the home with Christmas cheer. To make four cinnamon stick votives, gather these supplies: Glue gun and glue sticks (optional) 4 plain glass, straight-sided votive holders (1-3/4 inches across the bottom x 2-1/2 inches high) Glue gun with glue sticks Ninety-six 3-inch cinnamon sticks 2 yards thin ribbon (optional) 4 votive candles (cinnamon scented, if you like) Then follow these steps: Wash the votive holders inside and out and remove any labels.

Cranberries are associated with the meals that are typically served for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Fresh cranberries are available during the fall months and they complement the flavors of turkey and other poultry dishes. This cranberry-cider sorbet is an interesting twist. It is easy to make and fat free. Cranberry Cider Sorbet Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 41/2 hours chilling time Yield: About 1 quart 1-1/2 cups cranberry juice 1-1/2 cups apple cider 1-1/4 cups sugar 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice Combine the cranberry juice, cider, and sugar in a medium-sized saucepan.

Here’s another twist on cranberry sauce to try at this year’s holiday dinners. Spiced Cranberry Relish calls for cardamom and cloves, fairly potent spices with flavors that pack a real punch. You only need a little bit. Spiced Cranberry Relish This is a spiced relish made with raw cranberries, orange zest and pulp, pineapple, and honey.

Cranberry bread has become a Christmas tradition. This cranberry bread is the easiest bread you’ll ever make. Double the recipe, so you make extra loaves for gifts. To make it a family Christmas activity, let the kids help measure and stir. Cranberry-Orange Quick bread Special equipment: 9 x 5-inch loaf pan Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 35 minutes Yield: 1 loaf, 12 slices 3/4 cup buttermilk 1/4 cup orange juice Grated zest of one orange 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled 1 large egg 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1-1/2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen, roughly chopped 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Squash is a common side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas meals. For a different — and delicious — version, try Roasted Squash Soup for the holidays. This inexpensive soup is creamy, has a lovely orange color, and offers a hint of sweetness. If you serve it with crusty bread and a green salad, it makes a light meal during the hectic holiday season.

Eggnog is a traditionally offering at Christmas time. This eggnog version is alcohol rich for the adults in the crowd. This recipe makes a large amount, perfect for an open house party. Feel free to cut the recipe in half. Eggnog is a very alcohol-rich drink, so make sure that you have designated drivers among your holiday guests if you serve the “real” kind.

Serving coffee at holiday functions is a great way to warm your guests on a cold wintery evening. This coffee, flavored with orange, cinnamon, and brandy livens up any party, but might go especially well at a Christmas cookie party. Brûlot means “burnt brandy.” This recipe makes enough for a party. Café Brûlot Preparation time: 5 minutes Yield: 10 to 12 servings 3 tablespoons sugar Zest of 1 orange, cut into thin strips One 3-inch cinnamon stick 1 vanilla bean 1-1/2 cups brandy 6 cups brewed, hot, strong black coffee Place the sugar, zest, cinnamon stick, and vanilla bean in a large heatproof bowl.

Fresh ham with herb gravy is a great choice for Christmas dinner, especially if you have a crowd. Served with mashed potatoes, roasted apples or pears, and a green veggie, ham can make a festive holiday meal. Modern-day pork is very clean meat. Many old recipes suggest cooking to a very high internal temperature to guard against trichinosis, but that’s no longer necessary.

With little time and effort, you can turn a simple walnut into beautiful Christmas ornaments. This project is a fun activity for kids at Christmas time. They can give the ornaments as gifts or keep them and hang them on the tree at home. Red, burgundy, or green ribbons look particularly striking against the metallic background.

Making and decorating gingerbread cookies is a Christmas tradition with many families. It's holiday fun for the children, and cookies make inexpensive gifts. Crisp gingerbread is best for ornaments; roll these out a bit thinner than called for in this recipe, and bake an extra minute. For a thick, chewy gingerbread cookie, follow the instructions and make sure not to overcook.

These gingerbread muffins make great holiday treats. Make a basket to give a Christmas gifts, or keep them hander for afterschool treats for the kids. Kids can mix and stir and seem to love placing the paper liners in the muffin cups. Gingerbread Muffins Special equipment: Muffin tin, paper muffin liners (optional) Preparation time: 8 minutes Cooking time: 25 minutes Yield: 12 muffins 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 tablespoon ginger 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt Pinch ground cloves 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses 1 large egg 3/4 cup boiled water (let sit off the heat for a minute to cool) 1/4 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Winter squash is a great alternative to sweet potatoes and complements foods served traditionally for Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner. This Glazed Winter Squash recipe is a perfect example of a recipe that becomes something completely different with small additions or substitutions of ingredients. Suggested variations appear after the recipe.

Bright and tangy green beans with balsamic dressing is a nutritious and budget-smart addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas table. Fresh green beans dressed simply with balsamic vinegar and olive oil is a healthy option to that holiday perennial, green bean casserole. This dish is just as good at room temperature as it is warm, making it an excellent addition to the buffet table.

Chocolate and Christmas just naturally go together. And hot chocolate is perfect treat for warming holiday guests on a cold winter day. Everybody has tried dark hot chocolate, but white hot chocolate is a creamy and sweet and a little bit different treat for your holiday guests. High quality white chocolate will have cocoa butter as one of its ingredients and not just palm kernel oil, cottonseed oil, or other fats.

Eggnog, a mixture of eggs and alcohol, has been a traditional American Christmastime drink since the late 1700s. This “virgin” version of eggnog is great for kids or adults who prefer a nonalcoholic beverage. Cooking the mixture staves off the possibility of salmonella transmission from the raw eggs. Learn how to make nonalcoholic eggnog that the entire family can enjoy during the holidays.

Mashed sweet potatoes are almost ubiquitous on Thanksgiving tables, but this recipe calls for an optional splash of bourbon. Make Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Bourbon the day before the holiday and reheat in the microwave when needed. It's a time-saving, budget-friendly side dish that can feed a crowd. You can peel and boil the sweet potatoes or even cook them in the microwave, but when you bake them in the oven as in this recipe, the high, dry heat brings out the sugars and makes them particularly luscious.

Make wreath-shaped meringue cookies if you're looking for a fat-free selection for the Christmas cookie plate. These meringue cookies are crisp, sweet, and satisfying. The pretty wreath shape is perfect for the holidays, and you can make them way ahead. Meringue Wreath Cookies Preparation time: 12 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes Yield: 3 dozen wreaths 4 large egg whites 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar 1 cup sugar Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

Nothing warms you up faster than a steaming cup of hot cider. The aroma fills the house and just says “Christmas.” Give this drink to the kids on a cold winter morning while you’re sipping coffee or after a day of sledding. It’s also perfect to offer guests as they arrive for a Christmas party. Make sure to use cider and not apple juice in this recipe; cider has a much richer flavor and more body.

This pear-almond trifle makes a show-stopping dessert for your Christmas gatherings. Don’t be intimidated by the number of ingredients or the assembly instructions. This pear trifle is easy to make and impressive. Make this recipe the day before through Step 2 of the assembly instructions. A trifle bowl looks like a gigantic stemmed glass, but any glass bowl will do.

Mashed potatoes, with or without gravy, is an inexpensive side dish perfect for serving crowds at a holiday dinner. If you like mashed potatoes that have some texture, use a hand-held potato masher, which is also the easiest way to make them. The potatoes just go right back in the pot in which they were cooked and you mash away after adding the milk and butter.

Pomander candles are old-fashioned fragrant balls of citrus and cloves that fill the room with the scent of Christmas. The embedded candles enhance your room with a festive holiday atmosphere via flickering light. To make these candles, you need to use tealights, which are half-dollar size candles about 1 inch thick.

Thanksgiving dinner isn’t complete without pumpkin pie. If you are on a budget, this might be the only desert you offer your Thanksgiving guests. The lightly spiced pumpkin pie presented here goes beautifully with many holiday meals. Credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Agnieszka Kirinicjanow 2012 Basic pie crust Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 2 hours chilling time Yield: 2 piecrusts, enough for one 9-inch deep-dish double-crust pie 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 10 tablespoons (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons) chilled unsalted butter, cut into large pieces 3 ounces (hefty 1/2 cup) chilled shortening 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water Measure the flour and salt into a mixing bowl and place in the freezer for 15 minutes.

Royal Icing for decorating sugar cookies is easy to make and can be tinted any color. Cookies decorated with Royal Icing harden to a solid finish, making the cookies perfect for hanging on the Christmas tree, stacking in tins, or mailing to friends. Royal Icing Preparation time: 8 minutes Yield: 2/3 cup 1 cup confectioners sugar, sifted 1 large egg white (or an equivalent amount of reconstituted powdered egg white) * Using a balloon whip attachment, combine the confectioners sugar and the egg white in a mixer’s bowl on low speed.

Christmas is a time to indulge both ourselves and our guests. If you're on a budget and want to serve one special treat at your Christmas gathering, shrimp fills the bill. There’s nothing wrong with a classic cocktail sauce, but offering an option livens up the party. Feel free to buy peeled, cooked shrimp if you're short on time.

Sugar-Frosted Fruit is simply fresh fruit that’s coated with egg white and then coated with sugar. The fruits are crystallized and look beautiful mounded in a glass bowl or on a pedestal. They can be eaten or used as a centerpiece decoration at your Christmas gathering. Sugar-Frosted Fruit Special equipment: Small artist’s paintbrush Preparation time: 15 minutes total Yield: 10 servings 2 pounds assorted fruit, such as small apples, kumquats, grapes, small lemons, small limes, clementines, or small pears 3 large egg whites, lightly beaten, placed in a large bowl 2 cups super-fine sugar, placed in a large bowl Place a cooling rack over a sheet pan and set aside.

Most people have a mountain of leftover turkey the day after the big Thanksgiving meal. This soup is a creative and easy way to make use of those tasty leftovers, even if they are just scraps. Preparation time: 15 minutesCooking time: 35 minutesYield: 10 servings 5 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, minced 3 celery stalks, diced 3 carrots, peeled and diced 1 teaspoon thyme 1 teaspoon sage 3 large all-purpose potatoes, peeled and diced 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels 1/2 cup frozen lima beans 6 cups turkey or chicken broth 1 1/2 pounds (about 3 cups) cooked leftover turkey, diced or shredded 1/2 cup frozen peas 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup whole milk Salt and pepper to taste Melt the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot over medium heat.

You may not think of lasagna for Christmas dinner, but it’s a real crowd pleaser that's inexpensive to make. This meatless recipe for spinach lasagna is a great make-ahead dish that you can freeze and then reheat in the microwave. This dish is velvety rich and will satisfy both vegetarians and meat eaters. It has a cream sauce enhanced by mascarpone (cheese #1) and sun-dried tomatoes, then layered with pasta, spinach, sautéed onions, red wine, ricotta (#2), mozzarella, (#3), Parmesan (#4), and Romano (#5).

If you are planning a prime rib roast for Christmas dinner, Yorkshire pudding is a perfect accompaniment. Yorkshire pudding batter can also be used to make popovers. You can serve either to sop up the juices from your roast beef. Yorkshire Pudding Special equipment: 12-cup muffin tin Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 35 minutes Yield: 12 popovers 1/4 cup reserved beef fat or melted unsalted butter 4 large eggs 1-1/2 cups milk 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

Cranberry sauce is a holiday classic. If cranberry sauce in a can is all you’ve ever tried, you are in for a treat with the homemade cranberry sauce here. If you’re worried about cautious eaters, pick up a small can of jellied cranberry sauce and offer both. Because so few ingredients are in a sauce, the quality of each ingredient really counts Cranberry Sauce This is a classic cranberry sauce, sweet and tart at the same time.

Biscuits are easy to make and these Yuletide biscuits are great for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner in place of store-bought breads. But you can serve them with almost any dinner or brunch to add a festive touch. Tender, melt in your mouth biscuits require a light hand during mixing — in other words, mix them delicately!

Many holiday foods are rich and heavy, so a fresh, light salad of simple greens is a welcome addition. This salad recipe calls for a basic mixture of greens, including romaine and Bibb lettuce. If your supermarket doesn't have a particular type that's called for, then choose whatever is the freshest. Iceberg lettuce, however, is the exception; it's mostly water and, while crunchy, offers little taste, color, or nutrition.

Kids love to help make these candy garlands to decorate the home for Christmas. The garland can be draped on the Christmas tree, over a mantel or a doorway, or any other place where you would like a colorful accent. You can make the garland as long as you want, and you can vary the color scheme depending on what types of candy you choose to use.

Salads feed a lot of people on a budget, and Waldorf salad is always a treat. The combination of apples, celery, and walnuts is delicious. This recipe works well with many common Thanksgiving and Christmas entrees. Waldorf salad was created at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in 1896. However, a chef wasn’t responsible, as you may think.

A cranberry-kumquat ice wreath is a lovely outdoor Christmas decoration for your home. The only requirement for this project is that the temperature outside be below freezing. This ice wreath is beautiful and unusual and will last as long as the temperature stays low. Remember to make room in the freezer for your ring pan before you begin.

This is a perfect menu for seafood lovers and because it is festive, it would be a great meal to serve for a small Christmas Eve gathering. Pull up your recipes for the following dishes and plan to serve them with a basic green salad and bread and cheese: Christmas Eve Seafood Stew Cranberry Cider Sorbet Meringue Wreath Cookies Here are some tips for assembling the meal: The meringue cookies can be made as far as a month ahead.

Popcorn-cranberry garlands can be used to decorate your Christmas tree, but don’t stop there. Drape the garlands over the bushes and trees in your yard and the birds will thank you; the popcorn garlands last however long the birds allow them to. Making these Christmas popcorn decorations is a great, easy-to-do project to share with the kids.

One way to keep holiday entertaining costs low is to have a party with appetizers instead of a sit-down dinner. This Three-Cheese Cheese Ball is a perfect party food. Cheddar, port, and blue cheese combine to form a classic, tasty ball — a Christmas tradition in many households. Cheddar, Port, and Blue Cheese Ball Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: None; 2 hours of refrigeration Yield: 10 servings, or one 5-inch ball 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese 5 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated 5 ounces blue cheese, crumbled 1 tablespoon port 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped (or chopped parsley) Mix the cream cheese, cheddar, blue cheese, and port together in the bowl of a mixer on low-medium speed, using a flat paddle attachment, until combined.

This apple pie features a blend of two apple varieties. The flavors and textures of each apple type combine to make for one amazing pie. This is a juicy pie with very little flour to bind the filling. Apple Pie Credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Poppy Barach 2012 Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 60 minutes Yield: 8 servings Basic Piecrust 6 apples (6 cups sliced); use a mixture of Cortland and Golden Delicious 2/3 to 1 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 1 tablespoon whole milk 1-1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon Spray a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate with pan coating.

Although you can buy ready-made pie crusts, making your own is easy and they’ll taste better too. Use this recipe during the holidays — or any time — for making pies. This recipe can be used for two pumpkin pies or one double crust or apple pie. Basic Piecrust Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 2 hours chilling time Yield: 2 piecrusts, enough for one 9-inch deep-dish double-crust pie 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 10 tablespoons (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons) chilled unsalted butter, cut into large pieces 3 ounces (hefty 1/2 cup) chilled shortening 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water Measure the flour and salt into a mixing bowl and place in the freezer for 15 minutes.

Turkey is an inexpensive main course. There’s no need to get too fancy with it. Simple cooking techniques work just fine. But if you want to try something a little fancy, but not too pricey this year for Thanksgiving, you can’t go wrong with the maple-glazed turkey offered here: Start with the turkey The bird called for in this recipe is large; make sure that it fits in your oven.

No one should have to spend Christmas morning in the kitchen. So many of the items on this brunch menu let you do the preliminary cooking the night before. Let the little elves help you with the prep work, pop the food in the oven Christmas morning, and pour yourself a mimosa. To make the Christmas Brunch for Six, follow these steps: The night before prepare the fruit for the Citrus Breakfast Fruit Salad with Yogurt and Granola.

If you have planned ahead, you have everything you need for the Quick Shopping Night Pasta Dinner for Two. Putting the meal together is a snap. Get out your recipe for Fusilli with Caramelized Onions and Kalamata Olives and follow these steps: Make the onion sauce for the pasta. Bring the water to a boil. Prepare the salad greens and vinaigrette while the water comes to a boil.

Mouth-watering prime rib is for special occasions, so why not serve it for Christmas dinner? You might think that a big hunk of mouthwatering roast beef is reserved for ordering in a restaurant. Not so! Prime rib is very easy to make and oh so impressive, not to mention incredibly tasty. Roast Prime Rib This is the roast beef of your dreams; juicy, rare pieces in the middle and well-done pieces on the ends to give everyone what they want.

Because smell is a powerful sense, you can use this simmering concoction to decorate the air for Christmas! You may bring this to room temperature, cover, refrigerate, and use again. Eventually the scent will dissipate. Make a new batch! Simmering Scent Preparation time: 5 minutes 12 whole allspice berries Three 3-inch cinnamon sticks 1 orange, cut into eighths 1 lemon, cut into eighths 1 whole nutmeg 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced 1/2 cup whole cloves Combine all of the ingredients in a non-reactive, medium-sized saucepan and cover with cold water.

Making place mats is an inexpensive way to decorate your Christmas table. Sewing holiday place mats means you can customize them with your theme colors or use traditional colors like red and green or silver and blue. Credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Juan Jose Gutierrez Barrow 2005 The instructions here show you how to make place mats out of the same type of fabric, but you can use different types of fabric to add more variety to your place mats.

Kids love cookies and they also like to build things with food. You or one of your helpers makes this Holiday centerpiece by gluing a batch of cutout cookies together with icing to make an edible 10-inch wreath made of cookies. Place a large pillar candle in the middle for a beautiful centerpiece. Credit: ©iStockphoto.

This is an easy meal to through together around Christmas time when you time is short. After you’ve done your shopping for ingredients, gather these recipes and prepare to wow your holiday guests: Duck Breasts with Dried Cherry Sauce Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Bourbon and Brown Sugar (half a recipe) Green Beans Balsamico (half the recipe) Pears and Gorgonzola To serve four people, you halve the recipes for Green Beans Balsamico and Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Bourbon and Brown Sugar.

If you are planning to feed a large group you might want to depend on a ready-made menu. To make it easy to plan your Christmas open house for 25+ people, here’s a menu and a shopping list. The menu consists of the following dishes. Note that some are doubled or even tripled. Caramelized Onion Dip with Crudit

Orange-Passion Fruit Mimosas are ideal for Mom and Dad to enjoy on Christmas morning. You can easily double or even quadruple this recipe if you’re having a lot of adults over. One 750 ml bottle of champagne is equal to four splits. Orange-Passion Fruit Mimosas Preparation time: 5 minutes Yield: 2 servings 1/3 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice 2 tablespoons passion fruit-cranberry liqueur (such as Alizé Red Passion) 1 split brut champagne, chilled Pour half of the juice and 1 tablespoon of the liqueur into each champagne flute.

If you love French toast but don’t want to be chained to the stove on Christmas morning, Overnight French Toast with Orange-Maple Syrup is the recipe for you. You make the French toast the night before, it soaks in the custard overnight, and then you just pop it in the oven Christmas morning. Have the kids whisk together the custard and help with the syrup.

Planning what wines to serve at your Christmas or Thanksgiving party can be overwhelming. You don’t have to have a personal sommelier at your side to make decisions about matching wine with Christmas food. Holiday foods tend to be rich and full-flavored, so here are a few surefire choices: Beaujolais: This light-bodied red wine is easy to drink; even white wine lovers enjoy it.

Preparing this Christmas dinner for 20 doesn’t have to be stressful. With the menu all ready for you and the shopping behind you, you can make several items ahead of time so that you won’t have as much to do the day of your party. The meringue cookies can be made a month ahead of time. The cranberry relish can be made one week ahead.

Most elements of this Christmas open-house menu can be made ahead, leaving the day of the party very manageable. With a few chafing dishes, borrowed or rented, and maybe a warming tray, you can just set the food out and forget about it for the duration of the party. Here’s the optimum situation: Set the shrimp on ice, slice the ham and set it in a chafing dish, and have the lasagna on a warming tray or in another chafing dish.

Cooking a full meal for ten requires a lot of work and most of all good organizational skills. Several components of these recipes can be made way ahead. After you have gone shopping for the ingredients, gather the following recipes: If you’re buying a frozen turkey, allow at least two days defrosting time in the refrigerator.

This creamy pumpkin cheesecake is a special treat. Serve it at Thanksgiving or at a Christmas gathering and be prepared to get compliments. It sits on a gingersnap crust and is crowned by a creamy sour cream topping and a sprinkle of crunchy toffee. A springform pan is used here to facilitate serving. Pumpkin-Toffee Cheesecake Special equipment: 9-inch springform pan, roasting pan at least 11 inches wide Preparation time: 25 minutes Cooking time: 1 hour and 30 minutes Yield: 12 servings Crust for Pumpkin-Toffee Cheesecake 11/2 cups gingersnap crumbs 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted Make the cookie crumbs by placing crispy ginger cookies in a food processor fitted with a metal blade and process until the mixture is finely ground.

Appetizers are a must for holiday parties and meals. Many Christmas appetizers are time- and labor-intensive to prepare, but the following list of Christmas appetizer ideas offers timesaving selections. You can attend your own Christmas party if you serve up these budget-smart finger foods: Some supermarkets have olive bars where you can mix and match different types of olives for a reasonable per-pound price; check in the deli section.

If you’re a dark meat aficionado Duck Breasts with Dried Cherry Wine Sauce makes a great Christmas dinner. This dish is guaranteed to impress your family and guests and you can make it in 30 minutes or less. If one of your holiday parties falls on a work night, this dish is perfect. First, you have to make a trip to a specialty food store to buy dried cherries and demi-glace, which is a rich, flavorful stock reduction.

If you are tired of the same-old sides with Christmas dinner, try this sautéed broccoli raab, which has a sweeter mellower flavor than broccoli does. Unless you have a huge sauté pan, you may have to divide this in half and make it twice. The recipe steps assume that this is the case. A large wok works well also, if you have one.

Serving a gourmet meal during the busy Christmas season doesn’t have to be stressful. Take this handy shopping list to the grocery store with you to ensure that you have all the ingredients you need for the following menu: Duck Breasts with Dried Cherry Sauce Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Bourbon and Brown Su

No doubt about it, planning a menu for a crowd is a lot of work. This menu for a classic New England holiday meal will feed ten people. It includes oyster stew for an opener, turkey and stuffing as the main dish, sides, and desserts. Here is a handy shopping list to take to the store with you so you don’t forget anything.

Fusilli with Caramelized Onions is a great meal to make when you’re running around midweek after work hunting down Christmas presents. The crowds were oppressive, the traffic could have been better, and you’re tempted to just grab a bowl of cereal for dinner. But not only do you deserve more; your body needs more.

For this tree-trimming party, you gather friends and families for a kid-friendly Christmas craft evening. The menu offers delicious appetizers and eggnog in to heighten the Christmas cheer. Set up craft tables to let kids help make the candy garland and decorate cookies to hang on your tree. To through this party, take this handy shopping list with you when you go for supplies: 6 medium apples (8 ounces each), such as Cortland or Granny Smith 1-1/8 cups chopped fresh dill 2.

This seafood feast is a healthy low-fat meal that you can serve to guests any time, but it is an especially great meal during the busy holiday season. The menu includes the following dishes: Christmas Eve Seafood Stew Basic Green Salad Bread and Cheese Cranberry Cider Sorbet Meringue Wreath Cookie

Take the stress out of shopping for this White Christmas party by printing this shopping list and taking it with you. The menu is simple and you can prepare some items ahead to make the day of the party a lot easier. First look at the menu: Warm White Truffle Bean Dip Caramelized Onion Dip with Crudite Roast Turkey Wild Rice Dressing with Golden Raisins Creamed Onions and Mushrooms (recipe doubled) Cauliflower Gratin (recipe tripled) Spicy Cranberry Relish White Chocolate Bûche de Noël Pear Almond Trifle Sugar-Fosted Fruit Meringue Wreath Cookies Here’s the shopping list: 1 pound mushrooms 1 pound shiitake mushrooms 8 stalks celery 8 sprigs fresh thyme 6 firm, ripe pears (about 7 ounces each), such as Bartlett 5 Granny Smith apples 4 sprigs fresh sage 4 carrots 3 navel oranges 2 pounds assorted fruit, such as lady apples, kumquats, grapes, small lemons, small limes, clementines, or small pears 2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen 3 heads cauliflower 1 bunch flat-leaf parsley Assorted vegetables to go with dip 1 cup sour cream 24 ounces Gruyère cheese 6-2/3 cups heavy cream 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese 20-pound turkey, preferably fresh 1 pound bulk pork sausage 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 pound close-grained (dense) white sandwich bread 15-ounce can cannelini beans 14-1/2-ounce can sour pitted cherries, water packed 12 ounces white or dark chocolate (optional) 2 cups superfine sugar 1 loaf French bread 3/4 pound white chocolate 3/4 cup canned crushed pineapple 2/3 cup chopped walnuts 1/2 cup honey 1-1/2 cups fresh breadcrumbs 1/4 cup sliced almonds 3 tablespoons maple syrup 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar 1 tablespoon white truffle oil White peppercorns 8 cups frozen pearl onions 16-ounce pound cake 12 Amaretti di Saronno cookies (6 wrapped pairs) 3/4 cup Di Saronno Amaretto liqueur 2 tablespoons cognac 2 tablespoons kirschwasser liqueur Here are some items you may already have on hand.

Christmas morning often means brunch with family. This easy Spinach and Chevre Frittata is a great way to feed eggs to a crowd on Christmas morning. You bake this frittata in the oven, freeing you up for other Christmas morning activities. Chevre is a type of goat cheese that can be found in many supermarkets.

Stollen with Marzipan is a Christmas-season specialty This stollen is a yeast bread that’s filled with a fruit-and-almond paste. The recipe makes three loaves, so you have one or two to eat and at least one to give as a gift. You may be used to following a recipe precisely, but when it comes to yeast breads like stollen, you must rely, to some extent, on touch and feel.

Most Thanksgiving hosts find themselves with a ton of turkey leftovers. Well, lucky you! If you are already tired of reliving the same dinner over and over, you can whip up many, many dishes with this bounty. Simply shred or dice the cooked turkey and create a Turkey omelet: Whip up an omelet and load the middle with turkey and your cheese of choice.

To throw this tree-trimming party at Christmas time, you can do a lot of the work ahead. After you assemble the ingredients and craft supplies, gather the following recipes and then use the party planning tips here to make organizing this Christmas event a breeze. Classic Eggnog Kid-Friendly Eggnog (3 recipes needed) Easy Homemade Gravlax Baked Brie with Roasted Apples Caramelized Onion Dip with Crudité Classic Sugar Cookies Royal Icing You will also need instructions for the following craft projects: Cinnamon stick votives (multiplied by 4) Candy Garlands (multiplied by 4) Popcorn-cranberry garlands (multiplied by 4) Here are some tips for organizing for the party: The sugar cookies, undecorated, can be made one month ahead.

Bûche de Noël is French for Christmas log. This dessert with the fancy name is found in every pastry-shop window in France during the month of December. It’s simply a yellow sponge cake rolled around a white chocolate and cherry filling. You can start this the day ahead and let it sit overnight. Preparation time: 45 minutes; 8 hour cooling time Cooking time: 20 minutes Yield: 10 servings Yellow Sponge Cake for Bûche de Noël 1/4 cup whole milk 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 3/4 cup cake flour 1 teaspoon baking powder Pinch salt 3 large eggs 3 large egg yolks 1 cup sugar Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

This white truffle bean dip is perfect for your Christmas or holiday gathering. But this creamy dip is so quick and easy, you’ll make it more than once a year. The recipe can be made up to 1 day ahead, covered with plastic wrap, and refrigerated. You can find truffle oil at a specialty store. Think of it as an elegant little stuffer for your stocking.

Whole roasted garlic has a deceptively sweet and slightly nutty flavor. — not strong and pungent as you might expect. Roasted garlic is an easy, inexpensive appetizer for Christmas gatherings. Garlic becomes very soft after roasting and makes an addictive spread for French bread. You’ll need napkins for this mouth-watering appetizer.

Wild rice provides a welcome change from the standard bread dressings that make their way onto holiday tables every year. The sweet and savory flavors in this dressing accent many main dishes, but goes especially well with your Christmas or Thanksgiving turkey. Wild Rice Dressing with Golden Raisins and Pecans Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 45 minutes Yield: 16 cups (approximately) 3-1/2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth 4 cups water 1-1/2 cups wild rice 2 cups white rice 3 tablespoons light olive oil 3 celery stalks, diced 1 medium onion, diced 1/2 teaspoon thyme 1-1/2 cups golden raisins 1 cup orange juice 1 cup toasted, chopped pecans (see note for toasting instructions) 1 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley Salt and pepper to taste Combine the wild rice with 2 cups broth and 2 cups water in a large saucepan, cover, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.