It is a family tradition in our house to make appetizers for Christmas Eve dinner. We cook, eat and open presents. We sometimes choose a theme. We have done Around the World, the Locations Wines by Dave Phinney and last year we did the Twelve Days of Christmas. Inspired by Katie’s beautiful Usborne Books copy of the story, we used it as a photo backdrop. So as not to stuff ourselves silly, each sister was tasked with creating two appetizers and one beverage.
Partridge in a pear tree
Jessie: This has become my traditional Christmas Eve appetizer every year. It’s a big hit with the entire family. I’ve done different variations. This year it was a toasted cracker with goat cheese, pear and golden honey. Delish!
Two turtle doves
Katie: I was planning on making turtle candies, but one of Jessie’s daughters is allergic to nuts. So we substituted M&M’s for pecans and pretended they were turtles.
Three french hens
Duckie: This dish was rather literal. We did three hens. Just instead of French, they were Cornish game hens, better sized for so many other dishes! Unfortunately, I was rather ill the evening we did this meal so I can’t quite remember the exact method of preparation but I think it was an orange-glaze (thanks for cooking it husband). I think we need a repeat of this dinner so I can enjoy everything!
Four Calling Birds
Kellie: I struggled with this one because we had so many birds on the list. In the end I went the easy way of puff pastry, chicken and brie with a sour cherry jam in the middle of the plate. I cut the puff pastry into squares and then baked according to the box directions. Then I placed a strip of brie and chicken. I cooked the chicken in the oven for about 20 minutes at 400. I used the sour cherry jam from Murray’s Cheese house, because Mom loves the stuff!
Five golden rings
Jessie: This picture doesn’t do my “gold rings” justice! We used my Neena’s pretty glasses for champagne and sprinkled a little golden luster dust in to make it more festive. It was almost too pretty to drink…almost.
Six Geese a laying
Katie: We didn’t use goose eggs, but we did make some deviled eggs for six geese a laying. This was my first time making deviled eggs! They turned out really tasty and it was fun trying a new recipe.
Seven Swans a-Swimming
Duckie: Swans a-swimming calls for a drink, don’t you agree? And one of my favorite gins just happens to have a swan on the label. Perfect? Almost….to really ratch it up on a notch, we decided to also drink from swan cups. They are too cute. Really any gin drink will do. Gin and tonic? Throw it in the swan. Negroni? Why not?! I believe this drink had some rosemary and cranberries and probably a little Prosecco. It was Christmas, afterall, and those swans were definitely a-swimming.
Eight Maids a Milking
Kellie: I thought that frozen hot chocolate was the perfect family friendly drink that everyone would love. If the adults wanted they could throw some sort of liquor in, I was offering Baileys Irish Cream. I found a recipe online that was so easy and I modified it slightly because we already had regular milk so I used that instead of the chocolate milk. We even got the kids fun cups to drink it from!
Nine Ladies Dancing
Jessie: Kellie helped me with this one. She found me these delicious eclair looking cookies, called lady fingers. And she helped me do a whipped pudding (use cream or half cream half milk in an instant pudding packet). We added fresh strawberries and cute dancing cupcake toppers. The kids loved these!
Ten lord a leaping:
Katie: Celery with cream cheese and everything bagel spice makes me leap for joy. It is truly my favorite snack, plus we needed a vegetable appetizer.
Eleven pipers piping
Duckie: Some may consider this a bit of a stretch, but hey, what food would you do? Plus, we needed some sweets! We piped frosting onto some sugar cookies and fun was had by all!
Twelve drummers drumming
Kellie:
I feel like I cheated with how easy this one was. I just baked (425) the chicken drumsticks on a pan in bbq sauce until the temp was 165. It took me 20 minutes and I flipped them half way through and then I put them in the crockpot to keep warm.
We had a lot of fun playing with this Usborne Book! Kate sells all sorts of wonderful books. Jessie’s kids love the magic painting books! Each volume (sister) has purchased a Usborne book for a present at one time!
