Merry Merry!
Today I’m having breakfast with Santa, my Santa, who is the real Santa to me! We will celebrate with our children and grandchildren later but this morning it’s just us…it will be nice after a crazy house full yesterday! We are going to have a leisurely breakfast and open our gifts to each other and just lounge around. Later the children grandchildren will join us to open gifts and then tonight we will have an adults only formal dinner.
Christmas Dinner
SPINACH & GOAT CHEESE PHYLLO TARTLETTES
STANDING RIB ROAST OF BEEF
MAPLE GLAZED SALMON {for the non beef eaters}
SCALLOPED POTATOES
CHRISTMAS GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
This a delicious take on the traditional Green Bean Casserole, replacing the Cream of Mushroom Soup with a cheddar, bacon and red pepper sauce. adapted from The Pioneer Woman
GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE with Peppers and Cheese for a printable version click here
2 pkgs, 14.4 oz. French cut frozen green beans {I like Bird’s Eye}
4 slices Bacon, Cut Into 1/4 Inch Pieces
3 cloves Garlic, Minced
1/2 whole Large Onion, Chopped
4 Tablespoons Butter
4 Tablespoons All-purpose Flour
2-1/2 cups Whole Milk
1/2 cup Half-and-half
1-1/2 teaspoon Salt, More To Taste
Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1 cup Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 red pepper, diced
Blanch the green beans: drop them into lightly salted boiling water and allow green beans to cook until just tender. Remove them from the boiling water with a slotted spoon and immediately plunge them into a bowl of ice cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain beans once they’re cool and set aside.
Add bacon pieces to a skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon for two minutes, then add diced onion and garlic and continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes, or until bacon is done (but not crisp) and onions are golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a separate skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Sprinkle flour into the pan and whisk immediately to evenly mix it into the butter. Cook for a minute or two, then pour in milk and half and half. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, while sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne then add the grated cheddar. Stir while cheese melts. Turn off heat.
Add peppers to pan, then add bacon/onion mixture. Stir to combine. Pour over green beans and stir gently to combine. Pour into a baking dish.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and panko crumbs are golden. Serves 8
For we will gather around the Christmas tree and have James bring us a dessert drink, “the North Pole”
I want to wish you the MERRIEST OF CHRISTMASES and JOY AND PEACE FOR THE NEW YEAR!
Thank you for spending time with us at the Painted Apron! HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Jenna
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