Swiss Steak
This colorful combination bright red tomatoes arranged with sprigs of evergreen rosemary and snow-white mashed potatoes on the side would make a pretty Christmas meal. On this paper’s website, details for making perfect mashed potatoes can be found in Dec. 2021., “The Scoop on Mashed Potatoes”.
2 lb. round (cube) steak
salt & pepper
1 c. flour
bacon drippings*
16 oz. stewed tomatoes**
1 or 2 med/lg onions
rosemary sprigs (to garnish)
Fully defrost steaks if frozen; season with salt and pepper and dredge in flour. Heat about 3 tablespoons of frying grease on medium-high burner, preferably in cast iron. Use at meat fork or large tongs to quickly turn steaks to sear. Place browned/seared steaks in a crockpot or roaster and cover with drained stewed tomatoes and rings of sliced onion. In the crock pot, high 3-4 hours; low should work for about 6 hours. For oven roasting, 375°F about 45 min. Internal temperature should reach 145°F for medium rare. *Olive oil, avocado oil, lard, or butter are all good for searing this steak. **I use one quart home canned stewed tomatoes, drained.
Christmas Morning Punch
2 c. orange juice
2 c. cranberry juice
1 c. pineapple juice
1 c. ginger ale
Combine ingredients in a pitcher. Serve cold.
Sugared Pecans
2 c. pecans
2 c. sugar
1 c. water
¼ t. salt
1 t. vanilla
Mix together. Cook until sugared, until the liquid is sticking to the pecans. Bake at 300°F for 30 min., stirring every 10 min.
Food Tradition Ideas
“We have had chef salad for the last 40+ years. My mother hit upon this idea after all the rich dinners and snacks, and not knowing what to cook next! It has become a family tradition. The toppings cover a table plates are piled high! Fresh hot butter horns and Melba toast are the accompaniments.” -V. F.
“Homemade individual pizzas are things we started doing with my family for Christmas eve. It’s always fun to make your own and then try a bit of everyone else’s creations! My husband’s family does grilled salmon for Christmas. Also, sugared pecans are a must-have snack around Christmas at this house!” -S. K.
“Fondue…and keep it really simple using appetizers from the grocery store freezer section! The ideas are endless of what you can do!” -B.D.
“At my husband’s family we have been having appetizers for supper whenever we get together for Christmas…each household takes one or more appetizers such as stuffed mushrooms, jalapeno poppers, meat dip and chips, pickles, and breadsticks. For the noonish meal we usually have shrimp and wings, veggies and dip, and fries deep fried over a propane cooker.” – J.
“My crew loves chalupas, so I have made that our traditional meal. The best thing is that it can be made ahead and frozen – so much less stress that way!” -J. S.
“Perogies and sausage for Christmas dinner.” -B. R. B.
