Christmas is only a few weeks ago. With the holiday comes a big family meal, and I am already planning by big Christmas Day dinner menu. Making a huge meal for my family requires a lot of planning and preparation, so I like to start sooner rather than later.
First up on the menu is some sort of main dish. Every Christmas, I serve either a delicious roast turkey or sometimes a yummy Christmas ham. When I make a turkey, I season the bird with a lot of butter and some salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, onion, and cloves. If I make a ham, I buy a delicious spiral honey ham and follow the cooking directions on the packaging.
What Christmas dinner is complete without some yummy stuffing to accompany the main course. While my mom prefers to use a boxed stuffing mix, I have perfected my recipe for homemade seasoned stuffing. Seasoned with salt, sage, thyme, parsley, and pepper, you cannot go wrong with my homemade stuffing.
Christmas dinner would not be Christmas dinner without a plethora of side dishes. Grandma Nordine’s mashed potatoes and my husband’s favorite green bean casserole are staples on my table at Christmas. Although I have experimented with some different sweet potato recipes in the past, this year, I am making my favorite sweet potato casserole, complete with applesauce, pineapple, and mini marshmallows. I will also be whipping up a batch of my homemade orange cranberry sauce that is so easy to make and so much yummier than canned. Depending on my ambition, I may also make some homemade biscuits, although I am not entirely opposed to popping some much loved store-bought crescent rolls in the oven as well.
Planning a Christmas meal is not complete without planning some goodies to eat after the big meal. Homemade pumpkin pie is a staple at my house. I already have the pumpkin puree prepared and waiting in my freezer. My family and I also love pecan pie. Sugar cookies are also a must have treat in my home around the holidays. Finally, some other treats that I will probably whip up this year include candied citrus peels, cake balls, and other Christmas cookies. Mmm! My mouth is already watering in anticipation.
What will you be serving for Christmas dinner this year?
Image Credits
Planning the Christmas Day Dinner Menu Roasted Turkey © 2012 Heather Johnson
Roasted Turkey © 2011 Heather Johnson
Homemade Seasoned Stuffing © 2011 Heather Johnson
Grandma Nordine’s Mashed Potatoes © 2011 Heather Johnson
Green Bean Casserole © 2011 Heather Johnson
Sweet Potato Casserole © 2010 James Johnson
Orange Cranberry Sauce © 2011 Heather Johnson
Homemade Pumpkin Pie © 2011 Heather Johnson
Homemade Pecan Pie © 2014 Heather Johnson