What would be a good menu for Christmas Eve?

Question

It is the first time my husband and I are going to celebrate the event in our own house. There are going to be 8 adults and 10 kids.
I appreciate all the help you can give me (including recipes for appetizers, entrees, desserts etc)

Answer 1

Meatball Loaves with Tomato Gravy and Smashed Potatoes
Rachael Ray
From Every Day with Rachael Ray
December-January 2007

FOUR SERVINGS






4 large russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
Salt
1/2 pound each ground pork, veal and beef
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1/2 to 3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs (a couple of generous handfuls)
1/3 cup plus a splash heavy cream
1 large egg, beaten
Flat-leaf parsley, chopped (a generous handful)
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (eyeball it)
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice (eyeball it)
Freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 1/2 cups beef broth

1. Preheat the oven to 425°. Place the potatoes in a pot, cover with cold water and cover the pot with a lid. Bring to a boil, then salt the water and cook the potatoes until tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and add them back to the pot.
2. While the potatoes are working, in a large bowl, combine the ground meats with 1/2 cup cheese, 1/2 cup bread crumbs, a splash of cream, the egg, parsley, half of the chopped garlic, the Worcestershire sauce and allspice; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle 1 tablespoon EVOO onto a baking sheet, form the meat mixture into 4 loaves about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick and place on the baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon EVOO. Bake the loaves for 20 minutes.
3. While the meatloaves bake, in a large skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, over medium heat. Add the remaining garlic, the carrot, onion and bay leaf and cook until tender, 7 to 8 minutes; season with salt and pepper and the rosemary. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the broth and simmer until thickened. Discard the bay leaf.
4. Add the remaining 1/3 cup cream and 1 cup cheese to the potatoes and season with 1 teaspoon salt; smash to desired consistency. Divide the potatoes among 4 plates and make a small well in the center. Remove the meatloaves from the oven, turn in their sauce and set alongside the potatoes. Spoon extra sauce into the wells and over the meatloaves.




Roasted Brown-Sugar Papaya
Barbara Kafka
From Every Day with Rachael Ray
December-January 2007

SIX SERVINGS
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 15 min






3 firm green papayas (about 1 pound total), halved lengthwise and seeded
1/2 cup dark-brown sugar
1/4 cup dark rum
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 rounded teaspoon pepper
6 tablespoons heavy cream (optional)







1. Preheat the oven to 500°. Arrange the papaya halves cut side up in a large baking dish so they support one another and won't tilt or spill. In a measuring cup or small pan with a spout, stir together the brown sugar, rum, lemon juice and pepper until the sugar dissolves. Pour in the glaze to almost fill the papaya cavities. Brush the glaze on all the exposed flesh.
2. Roast the papayas until tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, about 15 minutes. Transfer to dessert bowls and drizzle with the heavy cream.

Answer 2

There is so much food on Christmas day that you might keep it light and fun. Especially with all the kids.

Sandwiches, crackers, chips, sasuage cheese dip, and black walnut fudge.

I love the canned cresent rolls stuffed with cream cheese and ham or bacon, or pepperoni and cheese. You can unroll the whole can of them (it makes a rectangle) spread it with desired toppings. Roll it up like a jelly roll and slice 1/2" circles and bake for 20 minutes (or until golden brown of course). The cresent roll dough can also line a muffin tin and be filled with meat cheese quiche or fruit.

Fruit - that reminds me of fruit pizza - yummy (sugar cookie dough spread with a mix of cream cheese and powdered sugar then covered in slices of strawberries and peaches and such.)

You can Let the kids decorate cookies for fun in the kitchen. They will decorate the kitchen too.

Answer 3

Honey roasted chicken. Kids like chicken too as it turns out and glazing and garnish can make it semi-formal in appearance.

Then the usual sides... a marshmallow fruit salad for kids. A vegetable. Warm rolls. Spiced hot cider for after dinner with a pie or cheesecake.

Answer 4

Our family always has a seafood theme for Christmas. I guess the easiest way to host would be to ask each family to bring thier favorite dish and create a potluck dinner. Or you could order you meal to be precooked and pick it up to serve. either way you'll have less hassle in your kitchen. My family always have lobster and crab legs, followed by our favorite dishes, mashed potatoes, a cesar salad, corn, and apple pie or chocolate cake.