Charcoal grilling outside out here in the Northeast; 47 and sunny. Steak, pork loin, chicken breasts.
Yes, gunnerz! And this year, the weather for it.
@Massmomm, the wild mushroom bread pudding was a big hit. I did end up using challa bread. The fresh basil, thyme, sage, and parsley really gave it a wonderful flavor. I would probably put even more mushrooms in it next time.
So glad you made the suggestion.
Doing a 3rd Christmas dinner tonight (DH and I are both children of divorced parents, ugh). We will have fajitas and Mexican fixings. Am also going to serve the sweet chicken bacon bites for an appetizer again.
I’m already tired.
I have so enjoyed being a guest at Christmas-season feasts from different immigrant traditions. The tamale night and the lasagna night were amazing.
Yesterday we had Banquet B:http://rnglounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/RG-Banquet-Menu-2016.pdf
The salt-and-pepper crab alone was worth the trip to California!
@Nrdsb4 , so glad you liked it! Can’t go wrong with mushrooms, bread and cream!
We had pork tamales, cheese tamales, fideo, guacamole and chips, homemade tortillas and frijoles borrachos and Mexican spinach soup. Very yummy.
If anyone is looking for an easy, delicious New Year’s dessert, I made a S’mores Coffee and Fudge Ice Cream Cake on the advice of a co-worker. She makes it every Christmas and said everyone raves about it. I hesitated because it is made with coffee ice cream and has a marshmallow layer on top, and not everyone (including my husband) likes coffee and I don’t like marshmallows, But since I trust this co-worker, I went with it. It was a HUGE hit- even the little kids loved it with the coffee ice cream. I think the ice cream tones down the marshmallows so it is not to sweet. The graham cracker crust with ground almonds gives it a nice crunch. The whole family is requesting it for New Year’s. It is very easy but you do have to allow time for the crust to cool and then for the ice cream to refreeze after you spread it. Definitely should be made at least the day before.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/smores-coffee-and-fudge-ice-cream-cake-102836
@Nrdsb4: I had to come back to report that I made the sweet chicken bacon bites Christmas Eve, and they were a big hit–gone in an embarrassingly short time. Will definitely make again. Thanks!
@choatieMom- I’m happy to hear they were good. I copied that recipe then didn’t have time to make them for Christmas. I am putting them on the menu for New Year’s!