What Are You Serving This Christmas?

Before the turkey had time to cool on our Thanksgiving table, we were already discussing what to have for Christmas dinner.

Holiday meals are pretty much the same in my family.  We start out with snacks and drinks.  For family affairs, this ritual cannot begin without pink dip and potato chips.  (The dip is very easy:  8 ounces of cream cheese, ketchup, mayo, two tablespoons fresh grated onion, and two tablespoons of milk or cream.  I can't give you the exact amount of ketchup and mayo -- the actual recipe has been lost to time.  I just keep adding unti it feels right.  Mix.  Chill.  Enjoy!)  We also have cheese and crackers.  This year I'm contemplating a hot dip to go along with the goodies . . . then again, if we fill up on junk, will we have room for what will be a far too big dinner?

For dinner, we seem to have the same veggies year after year:  Brussels sprouts, rutabaga, roasted potatoes, creamed onions, and a recent addition, butternut squash.  (My brother makes it and it's fantastic.  Odd fact:  he will not eat it.  Go figure!)

Here's what was discussed for the entree.

Spiral Ham

Usually ham is our Easter staple, and I've never really been a fan of it -- until last year.  We had a spiral ham that was absolutely delicious.  We got the leftovers and ate a ton of sandwiches and at least every couple of days ate the easy-peasy Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe.  Oh, I feel like Pavlov's dog just at the thought of that wonderful spiral sliced ham dinner.

Prime Rib Roast

When I was growing up, we had a prime rib roast most weeks for our Sunday dinner, so I always wondered why so many people think it's such a big deal.  Of course in those days, you could get a prime rib roast every week of the year.  These days, it's been made the favorite of the restaurant trade and the only time we ever see them is at the holidays.

Of course, not prime rib is worth eating if you haven't made Yorkshire pudding.  Oh, I love it, especially if the oven and fat is hot enough ant it puffs up all golden and crispy.  Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't.  I'll eat it both ways.

Roasted Turkey

Why were we even CONSIDERING another turkey when we had barely begun to eat the one that had been nicely sliced on the table?  But, there we were debating the merits.  My Dad, Bless his Heart, and my Uncle were not fans of turkey, so in years past we would always have a pork roast and a turkey.  Dad's gone and my Aunt and Uncle now have dinner with their immediate family so here we were discussing the possibilities. 

I voted for the ham.  Mr. I wanted to save the prime rib for my Mother's birthday dinner (in the week after Christmas), and the rest of the table voted for roasted turkey--again.  The logic being that we only really eat the bird twice a year--even if it's a month apart.  Let's go for turkey again.

Okay, this is not a hardship on my part because I get the leftovers (again) and I love to make turkey pie, turkey soup, turkey salad, sliced turkey sandwiches, and even turkey curry. 

So, what will be on YOUR Christmas dinner plate next Sunday?