Anonymous wrote:Tamales

This is what I grew up with (So Cal kid) and miss it so much! My husband looked at me like I'm an alien when we started sharing holiday food traditions. His family always did a big Italian spread for Christmas Eve. We decided to continue with the Italian food - lasgna or ziti with salad, bread and lots of appetizers. Easy to deal with after church. Last year we added a hot cocoa bar with toppings including alcohol for the adults. For Christmas day we started our own tradition - big breakfast after presents and then a late lunch/early dinner at 2:00 or 3:00 - ham or turkey with lots of side dishes - gratin spinach, potatoes, etc - served buffet style. Followed by a nap!!

Anonymous wrote:
In my own little family (we have no family close by) our NYE tradition is cheese fondue. A PP had the menu down - you need to serve with pickles (cornichons), etc., acidic stuff to cut through the fat. The Swiss drink black tea with fondue (or just drink some Kirsch schnapps!)

You need the pickles with raclette or fondu because otherwise all that cheese and white bread/potato can make you constipated.

I used to do an italian Christmas Eve, first with pasta and cured meat and cheeses and then did feast of 7 fishes but my SO is allergic to shellfish so the meal was kind of boring. I have since switched to fondue NYE. Cheese and chocolate and family seems to like. I actually hate fondue but it is easy.

We do a Christmas Eve party with too much food so we always have leftovers for Christmas Day.

I love this thread too.

So jealous of those with the big Italian families posting about their Xmas Eve dinners. I was an exchange student in Italy and I will never forget this. Such an amazing spread of seafood (I could not give you the names of all the sea critters I ate!). I had a big host family (grandparents plus 7 siblings each with 2-5 kids).

In my own little family (we have no family close by) our NYE tradition is cheese fondue. A PP had the menu down - you need to serve with pickles (cornichons), etc., acidic stuff to cut through the fat. The Swiss drink black tea with fondue (or just drink some Kirsch schnapps!)

This year will be our first at home on Xmas Eve in a while. My inlaws are coming to visit. Looking at all the ideas from this thread & trying to pick something that can become a tradition. We got to kids' pageant/service at 5 so I'm thinking the apps dinner & drinks sounds like a great option. Although I love the Mexican & Margaritas idea too!

Anonymous wrote:Not the "bread bake" referrer, but we also do an overnight breakfast casserole on Christmas morning. Totally unhealthy. Totally delicious. We toast to those we've lost with mimosas as well.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/christmas-breakfast-sausage-casserole/

thank you!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Love that other people do the French Canadian tourtière! For NYE we always do raclette which is really fun, sort of like fondue but with tiny ovens that melt the cheese. Add in potatoes, sour pickles, and cured meats...yum!

Ugh, I had this once in Switzerland and it was soooooo good! What type of cheese do you use?

Not pp but you can use raclette cheese (I saw it the other day at TJ).

We have either crabcakes or a seafood stew on Christmas Eve.

Anonymous wrote:Love that other people do the French Canadian tourtière! For NYE we always do raclette which is really fun, sort of like fondue but with tiny ovens that melt the cheese. Add in potatoes, sour pickles, and cured meats...yum!

Ugh, I had this once in Switzerland and it was soooooo good! What type of cheese do you use?

We do meatballs, I make them earlier in the day and they simmer in sauce on the stove. People can eat whenever they want, make a sandwich etc. we do apps like cheese/crackers etc and go to kids mass around 5:30. After mass I make strata for Xmas morning sonindont want to be making a big dinner

Love that other people do the French Canadian tourtière! For NYE we always do raclette which is really fun, sort of like fondue but with tiny ovens that melt the cheese. Add in potatoes, sour pickles, and cured meats...yum!