Christmas Eve Dinner
We always have fish on Christmas Eve and I typically order Royal Reds from Joe Patti’s, but I’d like to add more variety this year, and I’ve settled on Cioppino. As the girls have gotten older our Christmas Eve generally begins with an early, simple fish dinner, followed by Mass, and then usually a movie either at the local theater or at home and along the lines of White Christmas. Then we scatter for any last minute gift prep and then a good night’s sleep.
Christmas Morning
Hot coffee or chocolate with butter croissants from Renee’s Bakery here in Indianapolis. I’ve also ordered them from Williams-Sonoma and have purchased them from Trader Joe’s as well.
Christmas Dinner
Beef tenderloin roasted with onions, mushrooms and sherry, potatoes gratin, salad, and some type of citrus tart. My all-time favorite citrus is a satsuma, a cross between a mandarin orange and a lime. But they’re not in season, so I’ll have to substitute something else. If it’s not too cold, a walk around the neighborhood to walk off the day and an early bedtime. After all, I’m usually exhausted from pulling off another Christmas.
Desserts (for the important dates)
Croquembouche (have made this, but not for the girls, will execute for my family Christmas)
Tiramisu (for my husband’s family Christmas)
Citrus Tart (our own Christmas Dinner)
Souffle (New Years)
Cookies (the short, essential list)
Pecan Tassies (can not make enough of these)
Chocolate-dipped Almond Cookies (ditto, thanks to Martha Stewart’s Christmas, 1989)
Sugar Cookies (even at 18 and 20, the girls still like to decorate some basic shapes)
Bourbon Balls (these are delicious and strong — I usually give them away with caution)
Torrone (Grandmom Malfi introduced me to these and I loved them)
Rugelach (with plum jam and walnuts…..can not eat just one)
Recipes to follow! YEMCVWXRJ5VF