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Easy Does It Christmas Food
By Monica Resinger of
Creative Home and Gardening
http://www.geocities.com/plantldy.geo
Since both my husband and I have family to see at
Christmas time, we spend time with his family at our house on
Christmas Eve and my family at their house on Christmas day. Since
my mom always makes a big beautiful dinner and we have so much
going on at the time, I usually make a snack buffet table for the
Christmas Eve celebration at our house.
It is very
simple and helps keep my stress level down. I can make all of it
ahead of time and just set the table up later. I don't get fancy
with the table decorations, but do include a pretty poinsettia
tablecloth and pretty holiday paper plates and napkins. I started
this about seven years ago and it's now a tradition that everyone
looks forward to because it's easy and provides delicious
snacks all day long. The best part is that by using paper plates,
there are no dishes or pots and pans to wash! The only clean up
involved is putting away any leftovers, that is, if there is any!
I will
share a couple of my recipes with you later in this article, but
now I'd like to give you a few tips to plan your own snack buffet.
When you have time, take out a piece of paper and start writing
down some possibilities. Write down any recipes that come to mind
as you read the following:
~ Trays of
things to dip is always popular. I like to put out a veggie
platter with ranch dip (I use the packet of `Uncle Dans' found in
the grocery store to make the dip) and an assortment of crackers
with my popular recipe `clam dip'.
~ A tray of
sandwich makings. I load a tray with deli meats and cheeses, and
other sandwich makings such as onion, tomato, pickles, mayonnaise,
and mustard. You might try a tray of club sandwich makings or
Reuben sandwich makings. You can also experiment with different
breads such as party rye or sourdough.
~ Cookies
and Candies. Each year I make two or three of our family's
favorite recipes which I'll include below. What's your family's
favorite cookie and candy recipes?
~
Beverages. Each year grandma Laura makes her special Irish Cream
that we serve over ice. We also buy pop and beer and this seems to
make everyone happy. You might have a favorite punch, eggnog or
hot buttered rum recipe you'd like to serve.
~ Crunchy
things. I always have the Chex mix out.
Don't
forget that you can have family members or other guests
contribute! This will give you more variety and less work! Just
tell them to bring a snack type item.
I'll now
share my recipes with you in case you'd like to try them.
Clam Dip
1 (8-ounce)
package cream cheese, softened
1 (6-ounce) can minced clams, save juice
1 small garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
salt to taste
Combine
cream cheese and clams. Stir in just enough clam juice to make a
nice consistency for dipping. Add remaining ingredients and
thoroughly combine. Serve or cover and chill. Serve with crackers
or chips.
Toffee
Treats
1/4 Box
Saltine Crackers
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Butter or Margarine
1 large bag Chocolate Chips
Chopped Walnuts-Opt.
Preheat
oven to 350 degrees. Cover a large cookie sheet with aluminum
foil. Grease with butter. Cover with saltine crackers. Bring 1 cup
sugar and 1 cup butter to a boil & continue to boil for
2 1/2 minutes. Pour over crackers & spread fast. Bake 5-7
minutes. Spread a large bag of chocolate chips over, like icing.
Top with chopped walnuts if desired.
Irish
Cream
1 cup heavy
whipping cream
1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 2/3 c. Whiskey
1 tsp. instant coffee
2 Tbsp. chocolate syrup
1 tsp Vanilla
Put all the
ingredients in a blender and mix on high for 30 seconds.
Refrigerate. Shake well before serving over ice. Should keep for
at least 2 months.
Peanut
Butter Bon Bons
1 - 1 Lb
Box Powdered Sugar
2 Cubes Margarine (1 cup)
1 Cup Peanut Butter
Chocolate Chips or Chocolate Almond Bark
Mix all
ingredients except chocolate. Shape into round balls. Chill.
Insert toothpick & dip into melted chocolate. Chill until set.
Well,
that's it. I know the recipes aren't for the health conscious, but
it's only once a year. Here's to hoping you have an `easy does it'
Christmas celebration this year.
Copyright
©, 2000, Monica Resinger
About the author:
Monica Resinger is the Editor of Creative Home Ezine, a fun ezine
packed with homemaking tips, inspiring articles, recipes and
themed
content from folks just like yourselves - its readers! After each
twice-weekly issue, you'll surely be inspired to organize your
home,
cook mouth-watering recipes, entertain your friends and family,
beautifully decorate your home and much more! Don't miss another
issue - join now! Send a blank e-mail to:
CreativeHome-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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