I can't believe that we are four days away from Christmas. It seems like New Years was just yesterday. Since so many traditions seem to center around the food table, I thought I would share a few of mine with you this week.
Christmas mornings started with bloody marys in our house. Obviously, mine was just tomato juice until I was older...lol. My father's bloody marys were amazing. He used a spicy mixer and had just the right blend of mixer to alcohol.
Breakfast tended to be a Christmas egg casserole with sausage and pumpkin spice muffins. That was to tide us over until a late lunch and soak up the alcohol...lol.
My mother was one of four, with an brother 20 minutes away and a sister and her family in Winston-Salem, an hour-and-a-half away. As long as I could remember, lunch was always at my mom and dads. Ham was always the main dish (my dad's favorite) and a small turkey. The big turkey was saved for Thanksgiving. Vegetables consisted of mashed potatoes (my job), sweet potato casserole (next week's southern taste recipe), cranberry salad, asparagus casserole (my job) and green beans. We also had canned cranberry because my dad preferred it to the salad and rolls. Dessert was apple pie and any cookies and sweets given to us by the neighbors.
There was always enough food for leftovers because of course, a turkey sandwich on white bread with Duke's mayonnaise was one of the best things about the food.
Along with the traditional meals around Christmas, we also loved and relied on treats that our friends and families brought us. As I mentioned, my aunt and her family lived in Winston-Salem. They always brought sugar cake and rolls from Dewey's Bakery. My favorite treat were old fashioned, southern cheese straws that a friend of my parents made every year. Our neighbor always made my dad a fresh coconut cake, that he was reluctant to share. Mom always make different muffins for the neighbors, and those leftovers would become my breakfast for the next few days.
With both of my parents now gone, my traditions have changed but the memories are still there. What are some of the holiday traditions that will be on your table this Monday?
Happy Holidays to you and your family and please travel safe.