Making Christmas Dinner Extra Festive

Why Make Christmas Dinner Festive?

"But why should I worry about making Christmas dinner more festive?" you might ask. After all, it's a family tradition, and the holidays are already stressful enough with kids getting sick, in-laws staying over, and work commitments. However, adding a touch of festivity to your dinner can create lasting memories, provide a sense of comfort, and make the meal more enjoyable for everyone. Plus, it can be a fun and relaxing activity if you approach it with the right mindset.

Festive Pie Crusts

Ingredients and Tools

• Frozen pie crusts
• Cookie cutters or a sharp knife
• Frosting (store-bought)
• Decorative candies (e.g., licorice, candy canes)

Instructions

1. Thaw the frozen pie crusts and combine them to make a thicker crust.
2. Roll out the crust and use cookie cutters or a knife to create festive shapes.
3. Line the pie tin with the crust, add your filling, and place the decorative shapes on top.
4. Bake the pie and let it cool.
5. Decorate the crust with frosting and candies.

Pro Tip: Adding a splash of liquor to fruit pies can enhance their flavor. Try rum in pumpkin pie or cognac in cherry pie.

Candy Cane Chocolate Desserts

Candy canes and chocolate are a match made in heaven. You can create a simple yet delicious dessert by making chocolate pudding and topping it with crushed candy canes. This is a fun activity for kids, who will enjoy smashing the candy canes with a rolling pin.

Sweet Potato Meringue

Ingredients

• Canned yams
• Sugar
• Egg whites
• Maraschino cherries
• Pineapple leaves

Instructions

1. Mash the canned yams and place them in a Pyrex dish.
2. Whip egg whites with sugar to make a stiff meringue.
3. Spread the meringue around the edges and create peaks on top.
4. Decorate with maraschino cherries and pineapple leaves.

Boule de Neige (Snowball)

Ingredients

• Seasonal ice cream (e.g., peppermint, coconut, eggnog)
• Whipped cream

Instructions

1. Soften the ice cream and scoop it into a greased Pyrex dish.
2. Freeze until solid.
3. Turn the ice cream out onto a serving platter.
4. Pipe whipped cream over the ice cream to create a snowball effect.
5. Freeze until ready to serve.

Note: If using Redi-whip, apply it just before serving as it doesn't hold up well over time.

Beef Wellington with a Twist

Ingredients

• Beef tenderloin
• Dijon mustard
• Red, green, and white peppercorns
• Puff pastry

Instructions

1. Coat the beef with a mixture of Dijon mustard and peppercorns.
2. Encase the beef in puff pastry, adding decorative shapes to the crust.
3. Bake according to your recipe.

Mashed Potatoes with a Festive Touch

Ingredients

• Mashed potatoes (homemade or instant)
• Cayenne pepper
• Parsley flakes
• Butter

Instructions

1. Prepare the mashed potatoes and place them in a serving bowl.
2. Sprinkle with cayenne pepper and parsley flakes for color.
3. Top with star-shaped pats of butter.

Simple Christmas Cake

Ingredients

• Cake mix
• Springform pan with a Christmas pattern base

Instructions

1. Bake the cake according to the package instructions.
2. Use a springform pan with a festive pattern to add a holiday touch.

Parfaits

Ingredients

• Ice cream
• Crème de menthe
• Chocolate sauce
• Maraschino cherries
• Mint leaves

Instructions

1. Fill fluted glasses with ice cream.
2. Drizzle with crème de menthe and chocolate sauce.
3. Top with a maraschino cherry and a mint leaf.

Trifle

Ingredients

• Cake
• Amaretto or schnapps
• Whipped cream
• Various fruits and toppings

Instructions

1. Soak the cake in amaretto or schnapps.
2. Layer the cake with whipped cream and your choice of fruits and toppings.
3. Serve in a large brandy snifter or a Christmas tureen.

Festive Veggies

Ideas

• Add chopped red peppers to peas, Brussels sprouts, or broccoli.
• Stuff tomatoes with hamburger, cheese, green peppers, and parsley.
• Cut stars out of cheese slices and place them on casseroles.

Conclusion

Even incorporating just a few of these ideas can make your Christmas dinner feel extra special. Remember, the goal is to have fun and create lasting memories with your loved ones. Enjoy the process and the festive atmosphere you create!

For more holiday cooking tips, check out Martha Stewart's Christmas Recipes and Food Network's Holiday Central.

Interesting Stat: Did you know that Americans consume approximately 22 million turkeys during Christmas? That's about one turkey for every 15 people! (Source)