I had to take a photo of one of our buffet tables so I could share the food that I did end up making.
At the last minute we ended up going to the grocery store and buying a 20 lb turkey to go alone with the ham. I am so happy that we did it, the ham would not have been nearly big enough for everyone. Also, I love turkey.
We baked the ham the night before, sliced it, and then just reheated it the next day. That way we had room for the turkey in the oven for the entire Christmas morning.
I made the mashed potatoes around 11am and then transfered them to a crockpot set to low. After an hour or so the potatoes started bubbling around the edge. So I turned the heat off, stirred them up really well, and put the cover back on. They stayed warm and perfect for the rest of the afternoon.
I steamed broccoli and poured melted butter and lemon on the top of it.
My sister in law brought sausage and peppers, the traditional Italian-American Christmas food. And Easter food. And Thanksgiving food. And any other gathering of more than 3 people.
She also made a gorgeous salad in a trifle bowl. At least I think that is what the pedestal bowl is called. I loved the presentation.
Then I made a fabulous Italian sausage and bean soup. It was so good I really didn’t want to give any away as leftovers. Mine, mine, mine! Isn’t that the Christmas spirit? I’ll share the recipe soon.
My mother-in-law made stuffed mushrooms, something that I could not eat due to food allergies, but everyone else raved about them. They had to be placed on the main buffet table because the appetizer table was filled with other goodies. Let no one say we aren’t a family that likes to eat.
Now, that is what I call Christmas. We seem to go in cycles with our food. One year there were too many sweets, this year there was too many rice dishes.
This, also, made me miss the Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners when my grandmother was around. She made most of the food and it was always the best. The reason Italians eat so much, is because they are the best at the cooking.
Comment by Wendy — December 27, 2007 @ 6:52 pm
My mom is just not into cooking. There’s usually cheese and crackers, and some boxed chocolates, but that’s about it unless I feel like making and hauling an entire meal down to her house (NOT!). I’m envious.
Comment by Brigitte — December 28, 2007 @ 6:08 am
Not only does the food table look lovely, and full! Your comments about “our family” almost makes me cry. After 10 years it is still “your family” when I refer to my in-laws. It makes me rather sad being that I am 1/2 the country away from my family and these people that don’t include me as their own are all I have.
Not only did you marry into an Italian family that knows how to cook and eat, you have a family that wants to share life’s moments with you.
V, v fortunate are you.
Comment by PollyS — January 6, 2008 @ 3:24 am