Connecting moms in Polk County, Fla.

Christmas Menu Ideas

Typically I usually make a ham and turkey breast for Christmas dinner but this year I'm thinking about doing a beef dish instead.

A standing rib roast picture in this week's Publix flyer makes me drool and definitely consider it as an option. That, or a beef tenderloin.

Another source of inspiration was my Grandmother. She once told me every Christmas her family looked forward to their traditional beef dish when she was a small girl.

I have friends that do lamb as their traditional main Christmas dish but I have to say, most people I know go with a ham. Do you have a set in stone main meat dish in your family for Christmas?

What sides are you preparing to accompany your main dish? Have you found any recipes that's inspired you to add to your menu you could also add here?

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Permalink Reply by Just Jen on February 9, 2011 at 11:33am

Those are adorable, I know it shows them decorated with m&m mini's but its a neat idea and could be used decorating other things. If your not using just mini's just think of all you could do, there are so many fun colors of m&m's available! We just got purple and lavender colored m&m's to send with a valentines gift. Hmmm I'm thinking easter decorating fun!

Shawn Arnold said:

I know this is Sooooooo past Christmas, lol, but I wanted to add a link so I can find it again next year. I know I will forget all about it and it's too cute not to find again for Christmas 2011.

I was looking for more Valentine's Day ideas and stumbled across this.

Tasty Table Lights

Yes, I'm laughing at my self. I'm a total memory loss loser. :)

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Permalink Reply by Shawn Spivey on December 20, 2012 at 8:52am

I'm bumping this back. First, have you decided on your holiday menu yet?

If so, what are you making? Do you have a traditional meat selection?

I've already told you all several times my kid loves Alton Brown's Good Eats. It's the whole funny spoofs, big personality, and science thrown in with good food. I admit, it's a dandy for entertainment.

....anyway, while Ryan was watching a recorded episode he became super excited about a gingersnap cookie crusted ham recipe profiled on the show. "WE HAVE TO DO THIS FOR CHRISTMAS!" was his reaction. Not a question, a statement.

I'm not sure if I can be quite sold on gingersnap crust. I'm not a big fan of gingersnap anything, but Alton Brown recipes haven't failed me in the past and I promised the fam I would give it a go. I decided to go online to see if anyone else gave it a try, too, and my goodness, I've never seen so many 5 stars across the board for one recipe. It has rave "Best ham ever!" critiques.

Check out the reviews here and if you're interested in giving the recipe a try yourself, here's Alton's grandmother's recipe.

I'll let you know how it turns out. :)

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Dougan on December 20, 2012 at 9:29am

Our family has Prime Rib - my mom makes a rub of garlic and onion powder, pepper, seasoned salt and rubs that over the rib before putting it in the oven. It's wonderful! Than all of us usually bring the sides - like Brocolli Slaw Salad, Ambrosia Salad, we usually do twice baked potatoes, squash and turnip, homemade rolls, and an onion casserole. Christmas dinner is my absolute favorite. When I was growing up we used have ham and turkey - but when I married my husband, he was famous for his prime rib and showed my mom how to prepare it. Needless to say - it's our Christmas tradition now.