“Christmas of Love” Menu

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“Christmas of Love” menu shopping list

BEGIN: “Sleigh Bells Ring” Baked Mushroom Topped Brie

• ½ pound fresh sliced mushrooms
• ½ cup coarsely chopped onions
• ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts (or your favourite crunchy nut)
• 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon each dried thyme, rosemary & freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 200g wheel cold brie cheese
• 2 tablespoon finely minced fresh parsley or chives

FOLLOW: “Feliz Navidad” Turkey with Onion Sage Stuffing, Homemade Pan Gravy & Cranberry Sauce

• 1 (5-7 pound) turkey (1 pound uncooked turkey/person)
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• ½ tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter (salted or unsalted, your call)
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 7 cups finely cubed, day-old Italian bread
• 1 tablespoon crumbled, dried sage or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped sage
• ¼ teaspoon dried marjoram
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme (or ½ teaspoon fresh)
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg (freshly ground if possible)
• ½ – ¾ cups organic chicken stock
• 1 onion, chopped into large pieces
• ½ cup chopped celery (two stalks of celery, including leaves)
• ½ cup chopped carrots
• ½ cup organic chicken stock
• Melted butter for basting
• ¼ cup fat drippings in the bottom of the roasting pan
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2-3 cups organic chicken stock or water, heated
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• Dash cinnamon, freshly ground black pepper, ground cloves/nutmeg

FOLLOW: “Silver Bells” Herb Roasted Chateau Potatoes

• 8 tablespoons butter
• 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into small ovals
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

FOLLOW: “Deck the Halls” Maple Glazed Root Vegetable Medley

• 4 large carrots, peeled
• 8 large parsnips, peeled
• 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled
• 1 large butternut squash, peeled & seeded
• 2 large shallots, peeled and quartered
• 3 tablespoons dark maple syrup (Grade A Dark Amber if possible, if not substitute with honey)
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (has to be fresh!)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 ½ teaspoon dried thyme (3 teaspoons fresh)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

FINISH: “Winter Wonderland” – My Grandmother’s Delicious English Trifle

• 1 sponge or pound cake
• ¼ – ½ cups Spanish Sherry
• 1 package Strawberry Flavoured Jello
• 1 cup strawberries (fresh if available in season or frozen)
• 3 tablespoons Bird’s Eye custard powder (my mother’s favourite brand)
• 1 cup whipped cream, 35%
• Slivered Almonds