Christmas Dinner
Here's a magnificent meal for a very special occasion! This menu includes Glazed Baked Ham for the meat course, but if you prefer a different choice, any of the following would be a delightful substitute:
Roast Goose with Apple Stuffing, Roast Leg of Lamb, Standing Beef Rib Roast with Yorkshire Pudding
Make it Special!
- For a stunning centerpiece, arrange small potted poinsettias and garland in the center of the table. Add tiny white lights, if you wish.
- Make edible place cards by writing guests' names on rectangular-shaped cookies, using a tube of Betty Crocker® decorating icing. Attach small candies or candy decorations with small amount of the icing. Frost the long narrow edge of sugar wafer cookies and press the frosted edge on the back of the rectangular cookies, just below center, so that the rectangular cookie will stand upright, using the wafer cookie as a brace.
- Make bright red chili pepper flowers (to carry out the poinsettia theme) for plate garnishes by cutting several slits in each chili about one-half inch from stem end down to the point. Place in iced water for the "flowers" to open.
- Wrap a bow of festive fabric ribbon with wire along the edges (available at craft stores) around each napkin and place setting of silverware. The wire in the ribbon helps the bows hold their shape.
Preparation Guide
A Few Days Before
- Bake Corn Pocket Rolls; cool and freeze in tightly covered container.
The Day Before
- Prepare Blue Cheese Dip, but do not spoon it into the bell pepper. Cover and refrigerate dip and vegetables to assemble later.
- Prepare Ginger-Lime Dressing for Holiday Spinach Salad.
- Prepare Raspberry-White Chocolate Cream Cake.
The Morning Before
- Prepare Soft Custard for Creamy Eggnog.
- Chop and measure the ingredients for Holiday Spinach Salad.
About 3 Hours Before Serving
As Guests Arrive
- Finish and serve Creamy Eggnog.
- Spoon Blue Cheese Dip into the bell pepper and arrange it with the vegetables on a platter.
About 1 Hour Before Serving
* Prepare Carrots with Rum Raisins.
About 40 Minutes Before Serving
- Prepare Silky Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
About 20 Minutes Before Serving (as the ham rests)
- Remove Corn Pocket Rolls from freezer. Wrap in aluminum foil and reheat in 350°F oven.
- Prepare Green Beans.
Just Before Serving
- Carve the ham.
- Toss Holiday Spinach Salad.