This year’s Christmas meal theme was Candy Cane (Red and White). As usual, we all had assigned dishes to make. The four-course dinner included festive dishes for six people. Mom, Dad, Kathy, Niece, and Mike enjoyed it in person. Carol had surgery a few days before Christmas. We packed each course for her, and her son Mike delivered it after the meal. A Dessert Trio concluded the delightful feast, highlighting creativity and seasonal flavors.

TABLE DECOR

Menu Card: I printed the menu on white cardstock and attached it to striped paper I bought at Michaels. 

Place Card: My Dad hot-glued mini candy canes. I wrote names on white cardstock and attached it to the same paper used for the menus.

Arrangement: My Mom made the arrangement. The flowers are in a glass within the vase. Peppermint candies are at the bottom, not in water.

Special on Table: Red and White Striped Christmas Crackers (these came with Santa cut-outs, Dad hot-glued mini candy canes as decoration, Scratch Off Lotto (my Niece won $20)

Tablecloth & Napkins: Red and White

Dishes: Red Rose from Maternal Grandparents

Silverware: From Paternal Grandma

Drinks: Seltzer with cranberry juice, or Tom Collins with Gin, Grenadine, and cherries

Appetizers:

• Dad’s Stuffed mushrooms

• Beet and Goat Cheese Stacks

Soup and Bread:

• Potato Soup with hollowed cherry tomato half as garnish

• Tomato soup with sour cream garnish

• Candy Cane Rolls did not use cheese, freeze-dried strawberry powder mixed into half of the dough

• Candy Cane Shaped Butter freeze-dried strawberry powder mixed into softened butter, put into a candy mold, freezer until firm, then easily pop out of the mold

Main:

• Candy cane crepes with asparagus and cheddar served with Red Brandy Cream Sauce

• Snow Peas in butter with Water Chestnuts and Red Bell Pepper Candy Canes (cut with a cookie cutter

• Mini Tomato Quiches

Dessert Trio:

• Chocolate Mousse with Mini Candy Cane Garnish (we didn’t put peppermint in the mousse)

• Candy Cane Eclairs filled with vanilla whipped cream, my Niece made a sugar topping that she striped and cut with a candy cane cookie cutter

• Candy Cane Kiss Cookie