My Christmas Menu 2016

A few of 2016 Christmas memories.


Every year I host Christmas Dinner since we moved to Pittsburgh.  I usually had both holidays when we lived in Harrisburg but since the move ten years ago some of the hosting has been shared with my daughter and daughter- in- law which I really appreciate.

I love the holidays but quite honestly they are tiring.  I love baking and cooking and enjoy how much my family loves what I prepare but I have many memories of my mom being the host and she was always so tired.  Her house was small and her kitchen was so small it was hard for her to move around if we gathered around her while she prepared so she shushed us away to the other room while she got everything ready.  We always asked to help but other than set the table she wanted to do it by herself.  She would have the kitchen window open (in the middle of winter) and she would be perspiring something terrible.  I used to feel so sorry for her but she liked having us there but it really was too much for her.

I now see where I am getting to the age that all this is starting to get me tired as well so I decided I would do things a little differently than Mom did or even my mother- in -law.  They worked the day and eve of Christmas instead of preparing ahead of time.

I believe that doing some early prep works for me.  I don't feel my mom ever really enjoyed holidays because other than cookies she made the salad and pasta whether it was ravioli or cappelletti very close to the actual holiday. Actually that day or a day before.

I start the beginning of December making my pasta dish, soup and sauces and so far this year I have already made 10 bags of gnocchi and froze them, several pounds of braciole and sausage, hot and mild and meat and marinara sauce. Today I made my soup and mini meatballs for Wedding soup.All freeze well and will be fine for Christmas.

All in all I feel this works for me and when Christmas comes I plan on the night before putting together our antipasto and then removing any items the night before from the freezer(gnocchi not until I am ready to cook them on Christmas) so as to thaw and the next morning only have minimal cooking and plating the dishes.

Dessert will be cannoli, ricotta or custard, Molten lava cake with vanilla ice cream and a few cookies I plan on making. Probably Italian, pizzelles and possibly chocolate chip.  Not too many cookies this year.  I'm leaning on cookie bars as a possibility.

This is my plan and I know it will work. Below is an example of what my Christmas dinner this year will include. 

Large Antipasto

Wedding Soup

Potato gnocchi (photo is ricotta gnocchi)

Braciole

Sausage and meat sauce as well as marinara sauce

Cannoli both custard and ricotta filled

Chocolate Molten Cake too!

Our Christmas 2015 Menu

Here's our Christmas Menu.  It's pretty much the same each year with different variations of antipasto, pasta and desserts. Our family insists on tradition so there is always some red sauce on our table as well as the Cappelletti soup.

Look for links in the label section of my blog.  It is to your right.  If you can't find the recipe you are looking for message or comment on this post.  I am short on time so I did not link  the recipes but I will answer your comments or questions for sure. :).

 This years antipasto was a real challenge!  

Antipasto 

Cappelletti soup

Very Similar

Chicken spinach and mozzarella roll-ups

Mozzarella stuffed meatballs

Fresh baked bread

Dessert

Rum cake with fresh whipped cream 

Various Homemade cookie delights 

Cheesecake topped with strawberries 

Fried ice cream

Coffee, tea and fruit punch

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!  Buon Natale!

12/21/15

Menu Planning Part 1

Good Morning everyone!

 I'm busy gathering my thoughts for the weekly food menu. I wanted to take a few minutes to remind you to check your local ads for the specials this coming week. Ours usually comes out on a Wednesday in our area so it gives me a chance to make note of what meat and vegetable items are available at a good price.

I find doing that helps with menu planning. It can help you narrow down your options and implement it into your weekly food plan. If you get it into your head to buy and use what's on sale that week it will help you with the menu. It may be difficult at first but once you get into the swing of things you'll find it will save time and frustration..

Going into the grocery store and picking up items in a rush will only frustrate you so knowing (example: that chicken breasts are on sale and Steam fresh veggies are too ) will take you right to the poultry section and frozen vegetable section avoiding purchasing unnecessary extra items. Believe me having a plan will save time and you'll get more for you dollar.

I will try to give you more help day by day until we both work it out to our liking. I want to make this as simple as I can so you'll find it useful to you and your families needs while taking some stress out of your life.

Have a great day and keep smiling!:). M.j.

Help with Menu Planning!

I'd like to help you with menu planning.  Deciding what to make for your family each day and can be frustrating.

Who likes this and who doesn't like that can be a difficult part to your day so I am going to start weekly posting on facebook meals to help with menu planning.

 These will be meals and dishes and desserts that I make every week in my home  for those who need or just would like a few suggestions to help with lunch, dinner or entertaining..

I would love to hear from you and if you would comment it will help me decide if this would be something that you would find worthwhile.

I don't get many comments but maybe you would comment today on this subject so I know whether it would be worth the time and effort put into this idea..

A small gesture of a yes, no or even a smiley would help.

Kind regards,

As always