Weekly Menu Plan - Dec. 27 - Jan. 2

The menu plan for this week is ... no menu! So much feasting last week, so much food still sitting around the house, and with all of our family gone to their own homes, and my husband also gone part of the week ... this week is just day-by-day finding something to eat.

But as I am still putting things away from our full house on Christmas Day (with 23 family members here!), and before I put all the recipe cards back where they go, I want to focus a bit in this post, on the food that we enjoyed together for our Family Christmas ...

Although not the most important part of our time together, still, food does play a big part on special holidays. And even though everything did not turn out perfectly, the overall effect of the meal was ... very festive, and very delicious! 

Christmas Dinner ~ (and my notes to keep for next year) 

Spiral-sliced Ham ~ wondering about not purchasing the spiral-sliced ham next year; just get a regular ham ... the slices were quite thin, and also, as I had it in the oven a bit too long, it was a little dried out. I also should make a glaze for the ham next year.

Mashed Potatoes ~ perfect! I love the make-ahead mashed potatoes, and then baking/heating in the oven on Christmas Day. This year I prepared them two days before Christmas ... is a bit of work to make enough for 23 people, so works great to do it ahead of time. Making them ahead did not do any harm ... they were delicious. The amount I made was just right ... the large oval French White corning ware, and also the round French White corning ware. Usually I just do the oval dish, but our family is growing. Perfect amount ... enough left to send some home with our two sons, as well as one more meal for the two of us.

Gravy ~ tasted great, but it turned out a bit thicker than usual ... add a bit less flour next time.

Slow-cooked Sausage Dressing ~ a new recipe. It was okay, but did not match up to the dressing that I usually make. It was not good enough to make it into my recipe collection ... should have really tried it out before Christmas Day.

Green Bean Casserole ~ a traditional recipe, and good. I tripled the recipe (used 6 cans of beans), and I could have made less.  So many other dishes in the meal, not as much was needed of green beans.

Three delicious salads brought by our daughters. Each salad was so so good ... I loved them all! I already have the Cashew Tossed Salad recipe, but want to get the other two from my daughters, as well. (Amy, and Sara, if you read this ... could I have copies??)

Cashew Tossed Salad 

Pistachio Salad

Cranberry Relish Salad

Dinner Rolls ~ (close-up photo in last week's menu plan). The first time to try this recipe from my mother, which I adapted to make in my Bosch machine. I might try to use part white unbleached flour next time, instead of all freshly ground whole wheat flour, but I was pleased with how they turned out.

Christmas Goodies ~

Pumpkin Bars

Peanut Butter Bars

Pecan Goodie Cups

Chocolate-covered Peanuts

Chocolate-covered Cheesecake Bars

Cranberry-Caramel Chex Mix

And ... a delicious, beautiful variety of cookies and candies that our four daughters brought!

Warm Christmas Punch was set out for everyone, as well. I made one recipe of it, and we ran out towards evening. Should have another recipe mixed up and ready next time. So nice to have a hot Christmasy drink ...

Evening Snack Spread ~ 

Rolls 

Ham, Summer Sausage, and Cheese slices

Deer/Beef Jerky & Sausage (from McCarty's)

Apricot Cranberry Bread

Inari-zushi (a carry-over from my years lived in Japan)

Osembei - two kinds (also from Japan years ... our family loves these!)

Clementines

Spinach & Artichoke Dip with crackers (my first time for this recipe ... good, but want to try a different recipe of this dip next time I make it)

Pizza Dip & crackers (Amy brought - delicious!)

Crab Dip & crackers (Carrie brought - love this!)

Caramel Corn

anything else? ... maybe I am forgetting something?

We had a very fun evening ... playing games, and munching on goodies and snacks. Something we all look forward to on Christmas Day in the evening ...

And now, this week ... life goes on after Christmas! I am enjoying the break from cooking and baking ... and today, I had the special treat of having my youngest son take me out to eat. We went to one of his favorite restaurants ... Mother India, a family owned, quaint, ethnic restaurant. I am not very familiar with Indian food, but it was very delicious! Thanks, Lance!

Spinach Pakora, Naan, Lamb Saag, and Chicken Tikki Masala