Cookaholics Bulletin Board

It is a family tradition that I do Christmas Eve at my house. We don't do a sitdown, just Appys etc. I usually have that day off and work all day preparing food etc. This year, I have to work 7-12. I am going to be a little pressed for time, so I need some suggestion for foods. On the menu so far is Bacon Wrapped dates. I have been making these for 10 years now and I can't have CE without them. These I can prep the night before. I am also having a Brien en Croute and the Horseradish and dill cured Salmon. That's it so far. I can't believe I don't have the rest of it planned. I will probably pick up some chicken livers for my brother and fry them up with some seasoned flour with a little corn meal added to it. Other than that, I need some suggestions!

Hi Todd,
I just read Trinket's suggestion to Amy on the spinich lasagna and grilled salmon. You could do something like this too, cutting the lasagne into small tiny squares, and having the salmon served at room temperature so people can just flake a small amount off. The lasagna could be done the day before.

I am in a quandry about Christmas eve too. I'll have 8 for a small plates thing, no sit down (no dining room table). Need to keep it simple not for time but for sanity.

I've read about your dates on CI, I might make that bacon version.

Lynn

I recently made roasted shrimp with cocktail sauce. Boy, it was way better than the cold, boiled stuff. We also do an appy spread for Christmas Eve. It usually goes something like this . . .

Some kind of soup (wild rice) or chili
Shrimp with cocktail sauce
Hummus with Vegis (love CI's hummus)
Huge Cheese Platter with assorted breads and crackers
Assorted Fruit
Assorted Olives
Artichoke Dip
Parmesan Toasts
Deviled Eggs
Crab Salad
Black Bean Salsa
Some kind of smoked fish (or gravlax)
Cocktail meatballs (I know, I know but everyone asks for them)
Christmas candy and cookies
Marilyn's toffee (deserves it's own mention)

This year I may bring gravlax with some kind of pumpernickel toasts, some kind of sauce, capers, etc., and/or the Chili Molasses Toasts with Shrimp (from epicurious).

trink.