Celebrate the holidays with special food traditions
Many holiday traditions are based on special food, drinks, and treats that are enjoyed only once a year: eggnog, Christmas cookies, latkes, candy canes, tamales, and so many others. These food traditions can be regional or cultural, and give us a sense of who we are and where we come from. If your family does not already have special food traditions for the holidays, think about creating some new ones. Perhaps it is a special soup for Christmas Eve, or a New Year’s Day breakfast. Everyone in the family can look forward to repeating the tradition year after year, building a sense of continuity and heritage.
Plan on a simple Christmas Eve dinner if you are making a big feast for the next day.
Christmas Eve Dinner Menus:
- Cracked crabs, cocktail sauce, mixed green salad, garlic bread
- Pasta bar: clam sauce, marinara, pesto, fresh linguine, mixed green salad
- Soup supper: chicken bisque, clam chowder, or French onion soup with a selection of cheeses, sliced apples, green salad, rolls, or crackers
- Lasagna, steamed broccoli, french bread
Make an easy-to-assemble or prepare-ahead dish for New Year’s brunch if you will be up late on New Year’s Eve.
New Year’s Breakfast Menus:
- Bagels with lox, cream cheese, red onions, capers, sliced lemons, sliced tomatoes
- Frittata and citrus salad
- Barefoot Contessa’s Challah French Toast, sausage, sliced oranges
- Go out for Dim Sum!
Wishing you and your family a holiday rich in traditions, old and new.
Happy Holidays,
