A Pinch Of Holiday Feast Planning

Last Friday’s day-off mission: plan the Christmas Eve feast. The idea we started with was light bites for a bit of a variety and less of a need to sit down for multiple courses that would also need prep the whole way through. What started as a list of 17 different bites was narrowed down to a final seven. Both of those not counting the dessert options and Christmas Day brunch suggestions.

I started with the favorite follows and even went to YouTube to watch A Very Chuck & Hailee Christmas episode. I’ve mentioned Hailee’s recipes essentially all year, and her book is even on my Christmas List. Plus, Chuck is another favorite follow for his creativity. Then of course, I went to Molly Baz for some inspo, along with a few others on Instagram and searches as ideas popped into my head.

To waste no time, here’s the list and the linked inspo if I did some more research. Underlined recipes are those we actually decided on:

1. Ham in a Blanket – this was part of Hailee and Chuck’s meal, and I like the slightly elevated take on pigs in a blanket. We’re doing one variation of their recipe and another with fig, prosciutto and brie – an idea from this noggin.

2. Shrimp Cocktail – not sure it’d really be a holiday celebration without a shrimp cocktail as part of the snacks, but I guess this year we are saying so.

3. Whipped Ricotta Toast w/ Tinned Fish – easy to prep ahead however you want to do it. Either assemble the toast bites, or even throw it in a bowl surrounded by slices of bread and the tins for a create-your-own adventure.

4. Boursin Stuffed Olives – olives always deserve a spot on the table in my mind. And I love some Boursin cheese recipes with the flavors already there. This was an Instagram find that looked like a good base to change the recipe however you wish.

5. Crab Cake Bites – we’d probably get these from a local market. I know we did something similar during our seven fishes meal two years ago.

6. Artichoke Dip – who doesn’t love a good dip? My mom’s artichoke dip is easy and makes a perfect make ahead dish. There are always the variations of garlic-artichoke dip or spinach-artichoke as options.

7. Leaning Tower of Latkes – here’s the Molly Baz inspo. She calls this tower a nacho-like stack with layers of mini latkes, sour cream, pickles, peppers and dill. Sounds pretty good to me. We’re not quite making up the leaning tower, but we’ll use the latke recipe, with the usual sides of sour cream and apple sauce. Partly not doing the full tower because of the next bites choice.

8. Fondue – this was the one that my mom loved most when chatting it through. I think I’ve had fondue once or twice ever in my life, and we’ve never done it at home. But the Amazon order was placed that same night and we have the station ready to get the melty cheese situation going. We're serving this with fresh baked bread, various fruits and veggies and then maybe giving the the latkes a dip. Here are the two recipes were basing the fondue on: Alton Brown and this The Future Is Fondue recipe from The Big Night.

9. Chicken Lollipops – a different sort of wing style, and one that we could’ve done in the smoker – love a smoked chicken wing. Plus, this seasonal flavor of a sticky, spiced cranberry sauce seemed like a potential good take to mix in.

10. Pommes Anna with Fresh Horseradish and Parm – another bit of inspo from Chuck and Haillee. This potato pancake would be a great take-your-own-slice vibe. Also, fresh horseradish sounds great with the parm.

11. Galette – a nice galette always finds a way to make it on a potential meal list. This was sort of just a brain idea, thinking of any sort of options like french onion soup flavor, pear and goat cheese or a winter squash.

12. Winter Salad – some favorite salads here: the chicory salad from Illata that has anchovies, comte cheese and a buttermilk dressing. or this winter white salad that always finds a spot on my family’s table throughout the season. We’re going with the winter white salad as a favorite.

13. Roasted Carrots and Beets over Labneh – a purely keep-it-simple-stupid recipe. We did this for Thanksgiving last year. Roasting the carrots and beets so there’s still a little bite but mostly soft, placed over the cool labneh mixed with lemon juice. Can finish with some lemon zest, good olive oil and some herbs on top as well.

14. Culurgiones – I was feeling a bit bold thinking that I’d be able to make this stuffed, pleated Italian pasta. In a sake of time, even with a smaller crowd than usual, I will not be attempting these for Christmas dinner. Maybe another meal over the break. Feeling inspired from the meal at Scampi. Here’s the recipe that looks great with some peas and beans in a lemon butter sauce.

15. Chicken Cutlets – not much to say here. We all respect the cutlet, and with all the sauces we’ve got going this far, it was a solid idea.

16. London Broil Rack of Lamb – thinking that the london broil would be easy to pop on and a little more substantive to round out the full meal. It was originally planned, but we are having a Prime Rib for actual Christmas Day dinner. So we audibled to a couple racks of lamb that we’ll use the grill for. Always good to do less in the oven.

17. Sliders – options for sliders are endless, so it was a good thought just to throw out there. Kings Hawaiian rolls are in max supply around the holidays.

So if you’re following all that, here’s what we’ve ended up planning: Ham in a Blanket, Artichoke Dip, Latkes, Fondue, Winter Salad, Roasted Carrots and Beets over Labneh, and Racks of Lamb.

I have to imagine there’s some overlap with some of you guys out there. Maybe use the list as any inspo if you’re still thinking through your meals. I’m sure I’ll revisit the list after Christmas if there’s anything that I really want to make.

Did you save room for dessert? I always do. Here’s the brief list of ideas I also scribbled down when the brain was tinkering:

• Kouign Amann

• Struffoli

• Brown Butter Tart

• Pavlova

• Lemon Merengue Ice Cream Pie

• Glazed Safron Bun Monkey Bread

We’re planning on making the Italian treat of Struffoli for Christmas Eve to have after our hours of bites, a little inspo from the sundae at Scampi last week. And I’m between these two recipes from Nea Arentzen for Christmas Day: pavolva wreath or the monkey bread.

Oh, and of course I had to think about Christmas Day brunch. So on top of the highly-requested tin of Grands cinnamon buns, we’ll also be making fresh bagels to have a bagels and lox spread set for after we open presents.

Here are a few other ideas that I tossed around for Christmas brunch:

• Tiramisu French Toast from Red Currant Bakery

• Maple Sea Salt Pecan Cinnamon Rolls also from Red Current Bakery

• Quiche – general idea, good to make ahead and reheat that morning

• Smoked Salmon Tart from Emma Peterson

• Brown Butter Sweet Potato Donuts with Maple Bourbon Glaze from Bright Moment Co

Okay, that’s everything I possibly thought of on my day of planning. My mom told me I have too much time on my hands, and a friend told me I need to meet someone to spend more time with. I don’t see an issue with planning this fun stuff!

A lot of words this week, so tune in next week for the follow-up pictures and notes on what we do end up making. For now, here are the treats from Machine Shop that I enjoyed after a long afternoon of Christmas shopping around the city.

Plus, some frosty mugs from a cool Fishtown bar. Cormorant Corner Bar serving High Life in chilled mugs was a peak of the week.

And to top it off, for those still reading, here’s Lucy after her spa day looking festive and ready for Santa to bring her everything she asked for.

I hope everyone’s able to have a safe, healthy and happy holiday break. The celebrations continue the day after Christmas on Boxing Day at Kildare’s. A shame there aren’t as many Premier League games, but I’ll take any excuse to share Guinness with friends and family.

Cheers 🤘