Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Christmas Food Ideas - Traditional Italian Christmas Dinner

Hello Everyone,

First off, I want that thank all of my readers for stopping by and want to wish you and your families a very happy holiday season!  For all Italians, especially Sicilians, Christmas is family time, where we get together and share good food, wine and family togetherness. Food, of course, brings us together, and I wanted to share some Christmas Food Ideas with you, for your Traditional Italian Christmas Dinner.  

What says Christmas like a family gathering with all you your most loved people, with excellent Christmas Food and Wine!   Of course, like most Italian family gatherings, it will be loud, there will be some arguing, yelling, mis-understandings, and the televisions will be blaring in every single room, but hey, that is what Italian's do during the holidays!  Thank God for Wine!


Strufoli - A Festive Christmas Food Idea
Strufoli - A Festive Christmas Food Idea


Italian Rice Balls Strufoli - Traditional Christmas Food Idea
Italian Rice Balls Strufoli - Traditional Christmas Food Idea


Eggplant Parm is a great Vegetarian Christmas Food Idea
Eggplant Parm is a great Vegetarian Christmas Food Idea 



So, let's start off with the bread.    This is something you want to start at least two days before, and it is easy if you use the No Knead Method.    So, here is my No Knead Bread recipe, as the first of my Christmas Food Ideas.  This is really easy to make, so definitely give it a try.    The great thing is that you can make the dough a head of time, and make it fresh for your Christmas Dinner!  Another kind of Italian bread is the Ciabatta. There is no better Christmas Food Idea than fresh baked bread!   Brush some of it with egg whites and sprinkle with sesame seeds before baking!

The next of my Christmas Food Ideas is a Traditional Italian Appetizer, called an Antipasto Platter. My article of how to make an Antipasto Platter will show you how you can easily make your own and impress your family and friends.  A nice glass of wine is an excellent accompaniment to this delicious appetizer. 

The soups I am suggesting for my Christmas Food Ideas are Pasta Fagioli and Grandma's Chicken Soup.  We love soup during the winter months....

Italians usually have multiple things for dinners at family gatherings, Christmas and Easter are usually two of the biggest.  So, I will suggest a few Christmas Food Ideas for dinner options.   Usually several are made.

Turkey Meatballs
Chicken Cacciatore
Chicken Cutlet Parmesan
Turkey Lasagna
Eggplant Parmesan
Chicken Marsala
Manicotti


For my side dish Christmas Food Ideas are:

Rice Balls
Shrimp Scampi
Stuffed Mushrooms

Don't forget a nice Romaine Salad, with lettuce and tomatoes. The Red and Green of this salad make it a perfect Christmas Food Idea.   Choose your favorite vinaigrette as a dressing.

And for Dessert if you can fit it!

Tiramisu
Italian Sesame Cookies
Strufolli

I hope these Christmas Food Ideas are helpful for you and your family to have a festive Holiday meal with your loved ones.  From my family to your's, I am wishing you the most happy and healthy family season.