Christmas Menu 2012

Well it's the mad rush for Christmas and things, as always are a frenzy around here as we complete our last minute shopping, wrapping and of course menu plans.

Christmas is an all day pajama fest at our house and though we like to serve really special food, we also like to keep it simple because nobody wants to spend all day in the kitchen.

We are making all of our favorite traditional  Christmas foods which, with a little pre-planning, can be quickly put together with minimal cooking time.

Here is our menu, and links to the recipes.  I'd love to hear what special things You are making, so send Mama Ozzy some Christmas love and drop me a comment on what are your family traditions!

Christmas breakfast around the tree:
Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins
Savory Breakfast Bread Pudding
Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Marshmallows
Irish coffee and Mimosas

Christmas Dinner:
Wild Mushroom Tart with Smoked Gouda
Beef Tenderloin with Morel Mushroom Bordelaise
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Haricots Verts in Brown Butter with Almonds (recipe follows)
Chocolate Ganache Tart with Raspberries
Ginger Pear Fizz

So it occurs to me that I have never posted my Haricots Vert recipe.  Haricots Vert are thin french green beans.  I like my beans to be tender, bright emerald green and still have a good crunch to them (mushy, olive-drab beans suck!).

I prepare them by bringing a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil.  Add all the beans (about 2lbs).  Wait until the water just returns to a boil.  Drain and immediately plunge the beans in a large bowl of ice water (this will stop them from cooking and preserve a nice crunch).  Drain the beans and store for up to two days in a plastic bag.

The day of serving, melt 1/2 cup butter in a large skillet.  Add 1 cup sliced almonds and cook until lightly browned, tossing occasionally.  Add the cold blanched beans and stir fry until just heated through (about 5 minutes). Serve.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Mama Ozzy