Shed for the Holidays: Christmas Menus

Sooo this weekend I finally sat down and made the menus for my family’s Christmas ish! I just love doing this and I had so many new books from the library to browse for inspiration! However, I did have one little challenge: keep it on the CHEAP. Thanksgiving was expensive so my mom wanted me to minimize costs for Christmas. OK…can do!

So, there are three events to consider. First, Wednesday night, a Christmas party for the family. We go to my mom’s cousin’s house — they have one of those perfect party houses — and I cook. We don’t usually do this on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day because with two people working in hospitals, we have to be more flexible. This year it’s on the 23rd, and it’s always a fancy affair, per, well, my demands. On Christmas Eve, we’re keeping it casual. My aunt and uncle are taking the kids during the day to make Christmas cookies at their house, and then everyone is going to come here for a relaxed Christmas Eve dinner. I think I want to start this as a tradition…I like the idea of keeping it casual but delicious on the 24th. And then Christmas Day…just brunch! This is my favorite Christmas tradition.

OK…so…the menus!

Christmas Party

Because of the plan to spend less, I decided to not make meat! I’m actually happier with this because I have been wanting to do a big baked pasta lately. This will be easier, too, since I’m not cooking in my kitchen.

Apps: Herbed goat cheese balls, shrimp cocktail

Sides: Salad with pesto vinaigrette (the same one I made for the cookie party); garlic and parsley hearth bread

Main Course: Wild mushroom and spinach lasagna with goat cheese sauce

Dessert: Torta Alla Giandua (aka Chocolate Hazelnut Cake, from How to be a Domestic Goddess)

Christmas Eve

While I’d love to do a pimped-out mac and cheese and sliders, I’m going to keep it simple and make homemade pizza! I’m dreaming of a thin-crust Christmas…and red velvet cupcakes for dessert!

Christmas Brunch

My favorite day, but to keep it cost-effective, I’m not getting carried away (although I’d like to). My mom is going to make a baked egg dish. Normally we have quiche, but I hate pie crust, so I’m glad we’re moving more in the direction of casserole. It’s got eggs, bread, some veggies, I don’t know, whatever strikes your fancy, really…it’s just savory and good! We need a little sweet, so I think I’m going to make some muffins…I’m feeling lemon poppy seed! And we need  a big fruit salad, because I love the combo of savory eggs and fruit. Oh and possibly mimosas, if the two family events leading up to it make me want to be that girl.

So that’s that! Not too much crazy cooking to do this week, but I am excited about my first lasagna and that chocolate hazelnut cake. There’s Nutella in the cake. This weekend I got all my wrapping done, except for the few items I’m waiting for from Amazon. I’m feeling ready for the holidays!

Oh, except for just ONE LITTLE THING. Santa is bringing me the gift of TAPERING, but before that can happen, before any festivities, homemade pizza, before gifts and brunch…there must be…THE LAST LONG RUN! I love that this day comes so close to Christmas, and I am so happy that this day is here, but seriously, after last week’s 18-mile gang bang, it’s like I now have to be nervous because I know EXACTLY  how much it’s going to hurt.

Ugh. OK.  Not even thinking about boys today; this one is all about the cakes.

Tagged as: Christmas, holidays, marathon training, party food, running, winter