Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Christmas Eve Menu for 13

Since we moved to Oklahoma not quite four years ago, a new tradition has developed. My brother and his family live in the same town. This is not small news. He is a Navy pilot. My husband is an Air Force pilot. They are stationed at different bases, yet we live 5 miles apart, and have for almost 4 years. Military people do not get to choose where we live. We rarely get to live near family, so this is a big deal. And to have Christmas at home is a really big deal, for us.

So every year on Christmas Eve, I host a family dinner. And my brother and sister in law host Christmas Day. It's wonderful. I think food is one of my love languages, and to cook for the people in the world who mean the most to me is so fun, I start planning the menu, or at least thinking about it, weeks in advance. It's also quite nice to get a break from the work of it the next day. Sharing: what a great concept!

This year I'm relying on the ever wonderful Pioneer Woman. I'm going to make her Short Ribs With Wine and Cream. Because it looks wonderful. And I'm sure it will taste amazing. Pioneer Woman never lets me down! I'm also making Spicy Parmesan Green Beans and Kale from Food Network. Along with that, I'll serve shrimp cocktail (a long time tradition in our family), Olive Cheese Bread (also from the afore mentioned Pioneer Woman), and fresh salad in homemade parmesan bowls, which I made last year and were a hit.

Christmas Cookies for dessert, of course, and oh how the wine will flow. I can't wait.