Christmas Ratatouille

Here is my delicious Christmas Ratatouille that I made this Christmas from an adaptation of a recipe I posted on my blog last month.  For Christmas I left out the eggplant, which is traditionally found in Ratatouille, which was solely for color & effect, and yes maybe I could have used white eggplant, but I just opted to leave it out all together.  Also instead of Tri-color Peppers I only used Red peppers again to keep the Christmas theme with the Red & Green.

   It was a perfect Christmas Side Dish!

Everything Bagel Lamb Chops

I found an interesting recipe for lamb chops with an everything bagel yogurt dipping sauce and if you know me, that will not do, so I kicked it up a notch and made everything bagel crusted lamb chops and they were delicious indeed! 

Here's my recipe :

1 Rack of Lamb

1 tsp. Dried Minced Garlic 

1 tsp. Dried Minced Onion

1 tsp. Sesame Seeds 

1 tsp. Poppy Seeds

1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp. Onion Powder 

1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt

1/2 tsp. Freshly Ground Pepper 

(Double if you have a larger rack)

Mix all ingredients and coat lamb all over. 

Place lamb on rimmed Baking sheet, bones curving down. Bake at 450 for 18 -20 minutes.  Let rest 8-10 minutes before eating / cutting. 

Christmas Brunch

  There are my absolute favorite of all time recipes for a memorable Christmas Brunch. These recipes are so special I only make them for a real treat on special occasions,  such as Christmas morning!

- Cinnamon Rolls:
Every year growing up my mother would always make us cinnamon rolls. They were my sister's favorite and it always makes me think of her. This year I'm trying to make my own!
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/cinammon_rolls_/

- Bread Pudding :
I promise you will LOVE this recipe.  It is super special!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/the-best-bread-pudding-recipe.html

- Country Apple Fritter Bread
http://www.thebakingchocolatess.com/awesome-country-apple-fritter-bread/

- Christmas Fruit Salad

Christmas Recipes

Here are some of my all time favorite recipes for a festive Christmas Dinner:

Beverages :
   - Cran-Rosemary Sparkler
This really hit the spot:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/geoffrey-zakarian/cranberry-cocktails.html#!
 

- Eggnog
I didn't even like eggnog before this recipe came along:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/57028/amazingly-good-eggnog/
   - Hot Buttered Rum
This is probably my all time favorite Christmas Recipe:

Appetizers :
   - Spinach Pinwheels
My all time favorite appetizer:

   - Bacon wrapped Waterchestnuts
Everyone always loves these, and there are never, ever, any leftover:

Dinner :
   - BlackBerry Glazed Beef   (see my previous Blog Post)
   - Standing Rib Roast  (Prime Rib)
Classic:
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/salt-and-pepper-crusted-prime-rib-with-sage-jus
   - Crown Roast of Pork  (Lamb is nice also)
http://www.marthastewart.com/1043855/crown-roast-pork-chestnut-rye-stuffing
        - Roasted Delicata Squash
http://summertomato.com/better-than-butternut-roasted-delicata-squash-recipe/
        - Christmas Salad

        - Scalloped Potatoes  (see my previous Blog Post)
        - Sweet Potato Fries

        - Christmas Ratatouille
To make this Christmassy I leave out the yellow squash & eggplant, but sub extra zucchini and tomatoes.
http://persimmonandpeach.blogspot.com/2012/09/thomas-kellers-ratatouille.html
        - Corn Bread Pudding
Family Favorite:

        - Popovers
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/popovers-recipe.html

Dessert :
   - Red Velvet Cupcakes
http://www.sweetandsavorybyshinee.com/red-velvet-cupcakes/
   - Chocolate Trifle

   - Raspberry Pie
So easy to make & very yummy!
http://www.familycircle.com/recipe/pies/very-raspberry-pie/
   - Mini Cheesecakes w/ Strawberry Topping
We always request my Mom to make these with her Homemade Strawberry Jelly:

   - Rice Pudding
My Grandfather's favorite:

Chistmas Cookies

Here is my list with recipes of Christmas Cookies for 2015:

1.) Cornflake Cookies  (a.k.a. "Can't Stop" Cookies):
      This recipe came from my Mother's collection & they are my sister's favorite.

2.)  Brandy Snaps:  http://abc.go.com/shows/the-great-holiday-baking-show/news/recipes/episode-1-technical-recipe-marys-brandy-snaps-20151130

I saw these made on TV on the Great Holiday Baking Show, so of course I had to try them.  They were kind of involved to make, but definitely worth it.

3.)  Iced Sugar Cookies :http://www.marthastewart.com/342228/sugar-cookie-cutouts

          I had a hard time finding the meringue powder to go with Martha's Icing, so instead I used this recipe for Royal Icing:http://www.tipsfromatypicalmomblog.com/2013/12/royal-icing-without-egg-whites-or.html

4.) Chewy Gingerbread Cookies : http://www.marthastewart.com/313280/chewy-gingerbread-cookies

My daughter really likes these:

5.) Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies :

These are one of my favorites.

6.) Danish Butter Cookies: http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/danish-salted-butter-cookies

I only sampled one of every other cookie, but this one, I had to sample 3 of them - they were so good!

7.) Peanut Butter Blossoms :  http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/peanut-butter-blossoms-cookie-exchange-quantity/78806839-e0bd-4710-8b10-82abbece7ce5#!

Classicly delicious.

8.) Triple Chocolate Peppermint Fudge : http://www.marthastewart.com/1135600/triple-chocolate-peppermint-fudge

Very tasty!

9.) Cranberry Pistachio White Chocolate Bark : http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cranberry-pistachio-white-chocolate-bark-sea-salt

A new favorite - the fresh toasted Pistachios were key!

10.) Christmas Tree Meringues : http://thissillygirlslife.com/2014/11/christmas-tree-meringue-cookies/2/

These came out perfect - the best meringues I have made so far.

11.) Night and Day Cookies 

These were best hot out of the oven.

12.) Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies with homemade Vanilla extract :

They really did taste just as good as the store made Vanilla ones did.

https://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/18476/original-nestle-toll-house-chocolate-chip-cookies/

Blackberry Glazed Beef

  
   I tried a Blackberry Marinaded Pork a while ago that was covered in bacon, but for some reason it didn't have much flavor to it - just tasted the bacon.   This is my version but with beef instead that I was inspired to make thinking of how I cook my Meatloaf.  I cover my meatloaf in Tomato Paste and then cover it all in bacon.  This always comes out just right, so I am taking that theme to my Blackberry Beef recipe.   You can use a Beef Tenderloin to make it really special for a Holiday Dinner, or if you are on a budget this Christmas, feel free to use a cheaper cut such as Roast Beef.

Here is the recipe:

Beef (I used 2 lbs. Roast Beef, but you could do whatever size you want & use which ever cut of beef - tenderloin would be best)
Oscar Meyer Bacon  1/2 lb. - 1 lb. depending on the size beef
Natures Seasoning (or Salt & Pepper)
1/2 cup Blackberry Jam
1/4 cup Light Brown Sugar
1 TBSP. Minced Garlic
2 tsp. White Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 tsp. Herbes de Provence
1/8 tsp. Ground White Pepper

   Pre-heat oven to 325.  Season all sides of Beef with Natures Seasoning & place in Roasting pan on rack or laurel.  In small bowl mix remaining ingredients(expect for bacon).  Brush over beef.  Cover glazed beef with slices of bacon until fully covered.  Insert meat thermometer & roast until 125.  Let Roast rest for at least 20 minutes before cutting.

Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Gravy

   This pork chops recipe is so easy and delicious it is sure to become a family favorite for a quick and easy dinner.

Here is my recipe :

3-4 Bone in Pork Chops
1/2 Onion, chopped
8oz-12oz Baby Bella Mushrooms
28oz Baby Red Potatoes
12oz Heinz Homestyle Pork Gravy
1/4 cup Ketchup
1/3 cup Beef Broth
2 TBSP Worcestershire Sauce
1 1/2 tsp Good Seasonings Italian Salad               Dressing mix
Natures Seasonings
Fresh Ground Pepper

      Season both sides if Pork Chops with Natures Seasonings.  Place pork, onions, mushrooms, and potatoes in crock pot.
       In a small bowl mix together gravy, ketchup, beef broth, worcestershire, salad dressing mix, and fresh ground pepper.  Pour over meat and veggies.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours