Countdown to Christmas - Place Cards

This is the last post in the Countdown to Christmas series. Good thing, since it is almost Christmas. I can't believe it! Usually I am done with everything and so organized...not so much this year! Anyways...back to the place cards.

I love place cards because they add so much personalization...and can be done on the cheap! I made up a few for examples just using things I already had around the house. Hopefully this gives you some ideas and you can make your own for your Christmas dinner.

Countdown to Christmas - Napkin Folding (Pyramid)

1. Lay the napkin face down in front of you.

2. Fold the napkin in half diagonally.

3. Rotate the napkin so the open end faces away from you.

4.Fold the right end up to meet the far corner, ensuring the edge of this new fold lays on the center line as shown.

5. Repeat the last step with the left side, folding the left tip up to the far corner, creating a diamond shape with a seam running down the center.

6. Turn the napkin over, keeping the open end facing away from you.

7. Fold the napkin in half by bringing the farthest point of the diamond up and back to the nearest point.

8. Turn the napkin over again, this time keeping the open end facing towards you.

9. Fold the napkin along the center seam, and you have a neat, sturdy pyramid. If your napkin won't stand neatly then you may need a little starch.

Napkin folding instructions from www.napkinfoldingguuide.com !

Countdown to Christmas - Chocolate Pecan Pie

It was hard to decide which pie to share with you all. I settled on this one because it holds a special place in my heart. Can a pie hold a special place in your heart? I don't know, but it does for me, maybe I am strange.

This was the first pie I ever made, from one of the first cookbooks I ever owned. I made it for my work Christmas party, about one month after we got married, when I was 20 years old! Looking back, I think this pie was what started my whole "love" with baking. I probably made it 3 or 4 times that Christmas, I took it everywhere, just shoving it in people's faces. I was so proud that I made something, and people loved it! That is a great feeling, isn't it?

I remember one of my friends was so impressed that I MADE a PIE!!!! (obviously she couldn't cook either) She had me teach her how to make it right away! A pecan pie is really foolproof! So if you aren't exactly a baker, it is a fantastic one to start out with.

The recipe comes from a beloved cookbook of mine, "Cooking with Vestal and Friends". I absolutely LOVE Vestal Goodman, who went on to be with the Lord several years ago. I love her music, story, and recipes!!! In high school, a friend went to her concert and bought this for me. I wanted so badly to meet her, but it unfortunately it never happened. My Mom and Dad did get me tickets to go to her last concert in the area though.

Chocolate Pecan Pie

3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups pecan halves
1 unbaked 9 inch pie shell

In a large bowl, stir eggs, corn syrup, sugar, chocolate chips, butter, and vanilla until well blended. Stir in pecans. Pour into pie shell. Bake for 50-60 minutes in 350 degree oven until knife inserted halfway between center and edge comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

Countdown to Christmas - Honey Butter

I was thinking of a bread recipe to share with you, but opted for something else instead. Why, you may be wondering??? I make homemade bread all the time, BUT it comes from my lovely bread machine. Since everyone doesn't have one, and since I know you all will be having butter with your bread...I decided to go with my honey butter.

Before the recipe I want to share my FAVORITE kitchen machine... well, one of them. Bread Machines were like the greatest invention EVER!!! If you don't own one, and you like bread...then you seriously should spend your Christmas money on one. Better yet, ask around I am sure you will find someone who has one stuffed away in the closet that has never been used. How dare they shun the poor bread machine! It is practically my best friend in the kitchen because it makes my life so much easier. Anyways, here is the butter recipe!

Honey Butter

4 sticks butter
1/4 cup honey
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cut the butter into chunks.

Place butter into the mixers work bowl and beat at a low speed. Beat at medium and add honey, cinnamon, and vanilla. Beat until well combined, about 5 minutes. Remove butter and spoon onto parchment paper or plastic wrap.

Roll into a log and refrigerate for 2 hours.
*This is not only good on rolls, it is great on sweet potatoes!

Countdown to Christmas - Cranberry Salad

This recipe comes from my Mamaw Joyce, who is seriously the best cook ever. I can only hope to be half as good of a cook as her one day. She doesn't even have to try...it's like everything she makes is great. After all, she did win the "Betty Crocker Award" in high school...how cool is that! Cranberry Salad is one of my favorite things that she makes...

1/2 package fresh cranberries

1 apple, cored

1 orange, peeled

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup nuts

1 small can crushed pineapple, well drained

1 box cherry jello

1/2 cup water, boiling

Dissolve jello in boiling water. Put all ingredients in a blender and grind. Pour into a bowl and refrigerate until set.

Countdown to Christmas - Scalloped Potatoes

Ok, so this is another Paula recipe...what can I say...I told you I love her! The rest of the recipes in the countdown are my own (not sure if that is a good or bad thing for you)! These potatoes are just a really rich, delicious version of regular scalloped potatoes. I love that they can be made a day ahead of time. Aren't we all looking for ways to work ahead...

1 (5 lb.) bag Yukon gold potatoes
2 shallots, minced
2 teaspoons salt
1 (8oz.) package shredded six cheese Italian blend
2 cups heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 13x9 inch baking dish. Place on a rimmed baking sheet.

Peel and thinly slice potatoes. Layer one-third of potatoes evenly over bottom of baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with half of shallots, half of salt, and half of cheese. Layer second third of potatoes over cheese; sprinkle with remaining shallots, salt, and cheese. Top evenly with remaining potatoes.

In a small bowl, combine cream and water. Slowly pour cream mixture over potatoes. Cover and bake 1 1/2 hours. Uncover, and bake 20-30 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Makes 10-12 servings

Note: Potatoes can be prepared 1 day ahead. Complete method to baking stage; cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before baking.

Countdown to Christmas - Green Bean Casserole

I know, I know... everyone makes this! They do, but not like mine. I love the regular old green bean casserole, and always looked forward to it until I made this. Now, I will eat it, but it isn't even close to this. So, if you like green bean casserole, I challenge you to try this and see if you don't like it better, too.

I got this recipe from none other than the famous Paula Deen! Have I mentioned how much I LOVE her???? This recipe calls for mostly the same ingredients, but the fresh green beans and cheese make the difference. The fresh green beans are so much crispier, they don't get soggy like the kind in a can. This is a must make for your holiday dinner!

1/3 stick butter
1/2 diced onions
2 cups sliced fresh green beans
3 cups chicken broth
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 (2.8 oz.) can french-fried onion rings
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper
pinch of garlic powder
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Melt the butter in a large skillet. Saute onions in the butter. Boil green beans in chicken broth for 10 minutes and drain. Add the green beans, mushroom soup, onion rings, salt, pepper, garlic powder to the onion mixture. Stir well. Pour into a greased 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes, then top the casserole with the Cheddar and bake for 10 minutes longer, or until casserole is hot and cheese is melted.

Yields- 6 servings

Countdown to Christmas - Apple Cranberry Salsa

I thought for the first recipe I should start with the meat, the main thing. I don't have much advice on baking a ham, it is kind of self explanatory. So, what does everyone make to go with the ham? A glaze or sauce! In my case though, I make a "salsa". You should give this a try this year, it is so good! I saw it in an ad in a Paula Deen magazine a few year ago. I immediately wrote it on my menu for Christmas dinner. The flavors go so well with the ham...and it is now the only sauce I will make with Ham.

2 medium apples
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup walnut pieces
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 ham glaze packet (it comes with a spiral sliced ham)

Chop and core apples; toss them with the lemon juice.
Melt the butter in skillet, add walnuts. Stir in apples, cranberries, maple syrup, and glaze packet and mix until it dissolves. Bring to a boil. Spoon over ham.

Countdown to Christmas

Over the next week and a half I am going to share some ideas for your Christmas dinner. In effort to make sure you have a nice elegant meal, while still keeping it simple. I will be sharing some of my favorite recipes and table setting ideas. The recipes I have chosen are ones that we have every year, so obviously we love them!!! The table setting ideas are just to add something a little extra to the table, without breaking the budget, that is. We don't want to get too caught up in the menu that we neglect the looks of the table, right?

Even if you aren't hosting Christmas dinner this year, I am sure you will find something helpful in this Countdown to Christmas. Whether it is a recipe you can take to a holiday dinner or just table setting ideas for another time. So, check back this afternoon for the first recipe!