Christmas Day eating is going to be a bit different around here and I’m actually looking forward to not spending the day in the kitchen and not feeling stuffed to the gills all day.
Nicole’s parents and her sister and her husband are coming here for breakfast at 7:30 to watch Addie open her presents. I was thinking of breakfast dishes that didn’t require one or two of us to be in the kitchen cooking while everyone else is eating. We thought about making pancakes but there are only so many you can make at a time so making enough for 8, either some are eating cold pancakes or someone is cooking while others are eating. I have a great recipe for Overnight French Toast. It has to come out of the fridge and sit for 30 minutes, the bake for an hour so I’m not going to get up at least 1-1/2 hours early to bake it.
I can’t remember if someone sent me a link to this recipe or if I found it but Scrambled Egg Hash Brown Cups will be perfect. I’ll cook the bacon on Christmas Eve, then all I have to do is line the cups with the hash browns and while they’re baking, stir up the eggs and other ingredients. Instead of using the regular muffin cups, I’m going to use the mini muffin tins and they will be like little bite sized cups. The mini muffin tin makes 24, then I can refill it and sit and eat with everyone else while the second batch is baking. I’ll also make a fruit bowl with whatever seasonal fruit I can find. Christmas Even night, I can stir that all up except bananas and have it in the fridge, ready to serve.
For Christmas lunch, instead of a big meal, everyone is bringing finger food to Nicole’s grandparents. No big, sit down meal. No massive clean up afterwards.
We’re making Chicken Salad Caesar Salad Pinwheels, Cheese/Ham/Olive Bites (cheese on the bottom, then ham, then an olive with a toothpick through it all). I got several different kinds of cheese, deli meat and green and black olives. Chad is making the little oyster crackers with butter and ranch dressing mix. He said he wanted something without all the “vegetables”.
Others will be bringing their favorite finger foods so we’ll have a good variety.
It sounds like a good way to spend time with the family without having to spend all day in the kitchen.
Linda in NE says
Something without all the “vegetables”. I had to laugh over that one. Do you know anyone who sells the Tastefully Simple stuff? A friend brought one of the dips made with a Tastefully Simple dip mix and it was sooo good. I have to remember to ask her which one it was. I’ve sampled some of the things made with their mixes at the Craft/Vendor shows and everything is pretty good.
Becky says
Sounds perfect!
Nelle Coursey says
I have made the hash brown with eggs. It may have been me that sent you the recipe. I think at the bottom it said to make it with the kids. Sounds wonderful to me!
Susan says
That is a great idea for Christmas dinner! Another friend of mine made a breakfast casserole (similar to frittata?) and all she has to do is bake it in the morning. Mine is mostly easy and only two of us, but it is a sit-down dinner. I wash as I go when I cook – Paul taught me that! At the end, there are a couple of serving dishes and our dishes, and my son washes them. =)
JudyCinNC says
My dad always said, “Mom deserved to enjoy Christmas Day also” – so the ham, turkey breast, pies and cake, cookies and candy, fruit from the market to make ambrosia – all cooked days before leading up to Christmas. All who stopped by our house had snacks or sandwiches. So much more fun than one great meal and special visiting with friends and family. Merry Christmas, Judy with your friends and family. That is what is important.