OUR HOLIDAY MENU

for a stress free day

While celebrating the holidays with family and friends, the last thing it should be is stressful. For me, enjoying food is a huge part of any celebration. My mother, along with Ina Garten, have been influences for me when preparing simple dishes for special occasions or holidays. I especially enjoy hassle-free fare that can be prepared beforehand, leaving the day full of ease and enjoyment. I serve these straightforward foods on my favorite French porcelain serveware pieces, which I've collected for years. They easily dress up the most uncomplicated meals!

Included below are all the recipes I prepare each Christmas. Our family loves this scrumptious brunch menu year after year, and its something we always look forward to. I hope you get the chance to pull from it and enjoy one or all of these delicious offerings!

Rudolph Spritzer

5 cups orange juice

2 cups chilled lemon-lime soft drink

1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Garnishes: lemon slices, fresh rosemary sprigs, maraschino cherries

Stir together first 4 ingredients. Chill until ready to serve. Pour into glasses over ice. Garnish if desired. You can also add 1 1/2 cups vodka to the pitcher to make it tipsy.

For other beverages, I serve coffee, water, orange juice and our favorite stovetop hot cocoa.

French Porcelain Serveware

Breakfast Casserole

6 slices bread (white)

1 lb bulk pork sausage

1 1/2 cups shredded mild Cheddar cheese

6 eggs, beaten

2 cups half & half

1 tsp salt

Remove crust; spread bread with butter. Using the slices of bread, line the bottom of the baking dish and set aside. Cook sausage; drain. Spoon over bread. Sprinkle with cheese. Mix eggs, half & half, and salt in separate bowl. Once mixed, pour on top. Cover and chill overnight.

Bake day of at 350 degrees for 45 minutes until set.

Spiced Pears

Drain pear halves. Dot the tops of pears with butter. Pack centers with brown sugar and sprinkle with cinnamon. Cover and chill overnight.

Bake day of at 350 degrees until tender (around 20-30 mins).

English Muffins

We enjoy Thomas' English Muffins year-around. For Christmas brunch, I slice them in half the night before and dot with butter. I leave them covered on the counter overnight on the baking sheet and broil them for about 5 mins once everything else is ready.

Once they're golden brown, we top the buttery nooks and crannies with Bonne Maman Strawberry Preserves.

Cinnamon Buns

In the past, I'd simply visit our local bakery in the days leading up (if you're in Nashville, try Little Gourmand or Dozen) to get cinnamon buns or pastries.

This year, I'm planning to make the Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls I made a few months ago. You can make these ahead of time - simply cover them up tightly with plastic wrap and store them in the fridge overnight. Then pop them in the oven day of. This will be my first year making them for our Christmas brunch and I'm excited to enjoy them again!

If I'm really short on time, I'll head to the frozen section at the grocery and pick up Sister Schubert's Bake & Serve Cinnamon Rolls.