Christmas Dinner Suggestions

[honeychile]

I found a recipe for Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes, but at 62 grams of fat EACH, I think we'll be giving them a pass:

Molten Chocolate Lava
Recipe #26237
Recipe from reds bistro & bar, Toronto, Ontario
by Mille® ™

5 servings 29 min 15 min prep

2 1/2 cups dark semi-sweet chocolate
1 1/3 cups unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup cornstarch, plus
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 3/4 cups sugar
7 eggs
8 egg yolks
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier

Chop chocolate into small pieces.
Melt butter and pour over chocolate.
Whisk together until the chocolate is completely melted.
Whip eggs and egg yolks together with an electric mixer for 1 minute.
Mix sugar and cornstarch together and add to eggs; whip until frothy (approximately 4 minutes).
Add Grand Marnier liqueur.
Add melted chocolate and blend together.
Fill 5 4-inch ramekins ¾ full and bake at 425°F for 14 minutes.
Serve immediately (any leftover mix will keep in the fridge for 5 days).

Better yet, you can purchase a dozen of lava cakes in various flavors (in the filling) at the dough monkey - at $54 per dozen.

[honeychile]

BTW, I'm leaning towards Beef Tenderloin En Croute. I've made it before, but we'll have so few people, it almost seems a shame to take the time. For those who don't remember, my SIL actually brought her own chicken breast last Christmas dinner!

[AOII_LB93]

Well, I'm doing Christmas eve dinner this year, and it looks like the following:

Prime Rib
Popovers
Green beans
some sort of potato dish
random squash dish? depends how much cooking I really want to do.

dessert: Apple Crisp (the new family favorite...served with Ben and Jerry's vanilla.)

For Christmas day, I'm doing breakfast for my MIL and SIL. We are heading to DH's family for dinner and I have to bring an appetizer, so Spinach artichoke dip it is - easy recipe and really good. I'll probably have to make another Apple Crisp for this one too.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by AOII_LB93

For Christmas day, I'm doing breakfast for my MIL and SIL. We are heading to DH's family for dinner and I have to bring an appetizer, so Spinach artichoke dip it is - easy recipe and really good. I'll probably have to make another Apple Crisp for this one too.

I'm dying for a great recipe for Spinach Artichoke Dip, if you care to share!

[AOII_LB93]

Originally Posted by honeychile

I'm dying for a great recipe for Spinach Artichoke Dip, if you care to share!

Here ya go...I serve it with triscuits, but you can do veggies too. There are other suggestions for it at the bottom with spinach being one of them...I don't know about shrimp though.

Be careful with the salt aspect as parmesan is quite salty too.

MAKES ONE 8- OR 9-INCH PAN
1, 8-ounce package cream cheese - softened
1/2 cup, mayonnaise
1/2 cup, sour cream
1 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
1 large can, artichoke hearts (not the kind in marinade)
1/2 teaspoon, dill
garlic salt to taste
paprika (garnish)

Blend the mayonnaise and sour cream into the softened cream cheese. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, and blend thoroughly.

Squeeze all the liquid out of the artichoke hearts, then chop them into small pieces. Mix the chopped artichoke hearts into the cream cheese mixture. Season with dill and garlic salt, blending well.

Spread the mixture into a shallow pan, such as a pie pan or quiche dish. Sprinkle the top with paprika for color. Bake at 350 degrees (preheated) for about 25 minutes, or until very hot and melted. Serve hot with crackers or raw vegetables to dip.

Recipe can be composed in advance, and heated just before serving.

Variations:
Add tiny,cooked bay shrimp to mixture before baking.
Add canned, minced clams (drained).
Add one package of frozen, chopped spinach (defrosted, and water squeezed out) before baking.

[AOIIalum]

Originally Posted by AGDee

You're making me confess... Ever hear of Market Day? school fundraiser stuff?

I love Market Day! Been ordering from them for about five years. December's pickup is tomorrow night, thank heavens. If you're into salmon, their seasoned salmon is excellent. I didn't order as much as I should have, so I'll have to pick up early and pray they brought lots of extras this month!

I did finally break down and order the chocolate chip pudding cakes for the first time, so we may have those along with apple pie for Christmas dessert.