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| Christmas Eve Sandwich Buffet |
Hello Friends!
Well, Christmas is over for another year, sigh. New Year's is right around the corner, do you have anything special planned? Alex and I will stay in and (hopefully) stay awake to ring in the new calendar year! We'll be eating our traditional Raclette dinner.
It has been a tradition for me to make tourtière every New Year's Day. Tourtière is a Quebec dish, a meat pie. Since Alex is now vegetarian, I'm going to attempt a veggie tourtière. I don't dare whisper that out loud in these here parts though - a veggie tourtière? That would be treason.😉 I'll let you know the results next Sunday! And on January 2nd, we celebrate the Pagan Twelfth Night of Yule, we'll be celebrating with some apple wassail, and likely lots of leftovers!
It has been a tradition for me to make tourtière every New Year's Day. Tourtière is a Quebec dish, a meat pie. Since Alex is now vegetarian, I'm going to attempt a veggie tourtière. I don't dare whisper that out loud in these here parts though - a veggie tourtière? That would be treason.😉 I'll let you know the results next Sunday! And on January 2nd, we celebrate the Pagan Twelfth Night of Yule, we'll be celebrating with some apple wassail, and likely lots of leftovers!
For Christmas Eve, I made a sandwich buffet. It was a great success, but my gosh lots of prep work - you wouldn't think so for sandwiches! I made an assortment of egg salad, chicken salad (for me), CLT's (C for Cheddar) and an assortment of tomato sandwiches with my Homemade Goat Cheese. I also made Pinwheels!
Is this a familiar sandwich for you? I know there are lots of recipes for tortilla pinwheels...but I remember Sunday afternoons at my grandparents home, snacking on pinwheels made with bread. I LOVE this sandwich! I made one with cream cheese and cherries; and the other with Homemade Cheese Whiz and gherkin pickles.
Yes! I made Cheez Whiz! It actually turned out pretty well! I'd say the texture was perfect and the taste was VERY similar to Cheez Whiz. Mine isn't orange because I don't by orange cheese or use colouring to make my Cheddars.
I promised in my last post to include the recipe for my Homemade Crescents - they are delicious!
We have so much cheese in the fridge, with more to come! My Colby is ready to taste but we haven't found time to make a video yet, so that should be coming up in the next few weeks on Rainy Day Cheese Making.
One night we brought out all of the cheeses, plus a Brie I had bought and we had a lovely cheese plate.
I had planned an elaborate pasta buffet for Christmas dinner...4 sauces, 4 pastas, bread sticks, garlic bread...but honestly? We had so many leftovers that we only had our Christmas dinner on the 27th!! And I scaled it down to pasta with Four Cheese Sauce.
Of course I had to make Garlic Bread to go with it!
I tried a Tiramisu-Style Dessert - a recipe I found on Taste of Home's site. It was just okay. Nothing like a real tiramisu! I'll include the original recipe here, but I don't think I'll make it again. Tiramisu is traditionally made with Mascarpone cheese, this recipe called for cream cheese and it didn't work very well, too heavy on the cream cheese filling.
We had some Brandy Alexanders to go with all of the sweets!
More pasta last night, Spinach Ricotta Lasagna Roll-Ups. Quick and easy!
Charlie and Jack - the black and whites. Looks like a meeting of the minds.
Christmas morning...Oscar hiding in the box - can you guess what happens next?
When I met Alex, he already had his two cats, Dana and Leo. In 2015 we adopted these four from July to September that year - we had to stop visiting the shelter because we just couldn't leave without saving an abandoned pet!! I dub them "The Four Rescues" - they are ALWAYS together. Very cute though I do think they're up to something (except Oscar who is out like a light)!
I have some amazing plans for 2020 including finding, visiting, buying and moving to a new house; starting an online art course; planning some business ideas for the future and much much more!!
Do you have plans or do you make resolutions? Please share!!! And if you have some time, please join me for Thursday's Art Date, the theme is Transformation!
ReplyDeleteDelicious sandwich with goat cheese o how great you really had a lot of work, it tasted good for that.
I also do raclette dinner with my boyfriend, is always so cozy and listen to music.We don't go out here too much nonsense is done and banged!
I also like a veggie tourtière, I eat that too. I'm excited to see what you report.
Cat baby?
I love their animal photos, I think it would be the same if I saw the poor animals sitting in the home!
Enjoy the pagan twelfth night of Christmas!
I wish you and Alex a happy, healthy, successful new year 2020
Greetings Elke
Yum. Happy 2020
ReplyDeleteI knew if I visited your blog you'd have some yummy food! We've been having leftover turkey for days! (Hubby doesn't mind!)
ReplyDeleteWe're too old, sick, and tired for any New Year stuff!
Happy New Year!
"I have some amazing plans for 2020 including finding, visiting, buying and moving to a new house; starting an online art course; planning some business ideas for the future and much much more!!"
ReplyDeleteIs one of those opening a restaurant? You should! 😊 Maybe you have done that already. Especially with the cheese!
"Do you have plans or do you make resolutions? Please share!!!"
Eating healthy, exercising more, happy thoughts, more singing.
"And if you have some time, please join me for Thursday's Art Date, the theme is Transformation!"
That is a GOOD THEME! Our whole world needs it.
"The Four Rescues" - they are ALWAYS together."
ReplyDelete🥰
You are a hero! (Or they are!)
So much good food! A sandwich buffet is a great idea. I remember pinwheel sandwiches from when I was a kid. They were made only for special occasions because they are finicky to make. Checkerboard sandwiches too, same thing. May all your dreams and plans for 2020 come true, dear Rain and Alex!
ReplyDeleteAs always, Rain...I really really really wish I could reach through the screen. All your food looks super delicious, especially that lasagna! We are still in Florida on vacation, and always look forward to the fireworks on New Years Eve. It looks so beautiful on the water, when they reflect that burst of color. Hope you have a marvelous time bringing in the new year, with you and Alex and those precious babies! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteForgot to ask you if you have ever tried to make mascarpone cheese.
ReplyDeleteThank you Elke! :) The sandwiches took longer than I thought to make, but it was worth it! Nice to hear that you enjoy Raclette as well! We love that meal and we have it every New Year's Eve! I tried to make my own raclette cheese this year and it worked, but didn't melt very well! So we'll use a combination of store bought and mine. I'm looking forward to tasting the veggie tourtière! I hope it's good, I will let you know!!
ReplyDeleteThanks R's Rue :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenn :) We're not sick, we're not too old but tired? Yeah...so New Year's is at HOME. Leftovers are great aren't they? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandi :) xx I actually thought about opening a little café when I was in my 20's. I worked in restaurants as a waitress when I was at university and the stress was too much for me so I couldn't imagine having a restaurant! Fun idea though. I will try healthier eating and more exercise too. Happy thoughts and more singing is great!!! We could all use some kind of transformation that's for sure. My pets are my heroes! (Oh, and Alex!) :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Debra :) Hmmm...I've never tried checkerboard sandwiches, I will have to try those sometime!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dino :) I hope you have a great time in Florida watching the fireworks! I actually am hoping nobody sets off any fireworks here because Marlene will freak out. Winter is her best season because there is no thunder either!! I have never tried to make mascarpone, but after that cream-cheese tiramisu, I will add it to my list to try because it's also very expensive to buy!
ReplyDeleteHi Rain! Lucky I just ate my dinner or I would be drooling over the keyboard. Your food looks terrific, and so many things to choose from. And those cheeses....oh my! Your furries are always a delight to see, they all landed in paradise at your place! I hope your dreams for the new year will come true. I have no plans, just want to keep as healthy as possible for as long as possible, which is easier said than done at my age! Have a great week, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteThanks Valerie :) We had a lot of choices for the last few meals, it was great for variety, but too much work I think all at once!! Next year I'm going to cool it down a little (I say that now lol!) I wish we could take more animals in, honestly, it breaks my heart to think of them in shelters...people can be so irresponsible! I want to be healthier too, at least physically. My overall health is good, but I'm really starting to feel aches and pains more as the days go by! More yoga I think! :)
ReplyDeleteYou always make some of the loveliest food posts. Your presentation of the food is what really impresses me. Sounds like you have a lot of great plans/ideas for 2020. May they all become a reality for you. Especially finding your forever home to purchase. As for me, 2020 is another year to better my skills in knitting and crocheting. I am praying for a non-eventful year for a change. There have been too many sad moments in the past 2 years and I look forward to a happier year in 2020.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marsha :)) I know what you mean, I'm happy to see 2020 here, 2019 for me wasn't the best year, but it's all behind me now! I'm excited about things to come and no matter what, Alex and I are moving, even if it's a little starter house that isn't quite our dream home, we're not renting anymore. It's going to be fun!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou sure are a good chef, amazing food!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Aloha from Hawaii.
Thanks so much Gigi :) Happy New Year to you too! :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow. You really are an incredible chef. Love the cheese platter and, as a vegetarian myself, hope the vegie tourtiere works well.
ReplyDeleteNew Years Day will find her own way in here. She knows the way and doesn't need any guidance from me.
I am super impressed at the plans you have for the coming year and hope they ALL come to fruition.
Thanks so much Elephant's Child :)) I hope the veggie tourtière works too, I think it will because I've always believed most of the taste of the pie comes from the spices. Thanks for the well wishes for 2020 and I wish you the same! Hoping for lots of rain for your country! xx
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Rain and Alex. Your food looks so delicious, I guess cooking for a vegetarian is ok.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! I must not be paying attention. I had no idea you did taste testing videos. I just watched the one on fontina cheese and I loved seeing you and watching your results. I don't imagine I'll ever get into cheese making, but you could sure expand my cheese horizons with those videos! :) Happy New Year to you and Alex! And all your beloved pets!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Becki :) I'm so glad you liked the video! They are fun to make. I hope to do more soon with the Colby and the Camemberts! Happy New Year to you too! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine :) Cooking vegetarian takes some getting used to but so far it's been okay!
ReplyDeleteHi Rain, wishing you a happy and healthy 2020, good luck with your plans, we have been wanting to move house for some time now but not found what is right for us, decided to stop searching and just take it easy! Your pets are so gentle and loving, I am not surprised you kept adding to their family! I used to walk rescue dogs and had to stop as I could not bear to take them back! Blessings to you and yours. Betty x
ReplyDeleteThanks Betty :) I used to walk rescue dogs too when I lived in Montreal and I couldn't bear leaving them, it's so tough, they are so sweet and innocent, I want to save all of them. We were looking for a new home last year, made an offer on what we thought would be our dream home and got outbid, so it was a very big letdown for us. We're going to try again in the spring because renting is just wasting money! Whether we find the dream spot or a starter home, we're definitely moving! Happy New Year to you too! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Laurie :) The sandwich bar was the best. I LOVE finger foods!!! Wishing you all the best in 2020 as well! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Day Rain. You are so talented in art and cooking. The feast looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteRain,
ReplyDeleteYour foodie pix look so yummy! Those crescent rolls especially look nice. DH would like those, I bet. :) All of your pasta dishes look fab, too. I don't think I could go anywhere where there are animals waiting to be taken home because I'd be like but since we have allergies that helps and it keeps us out of these places. I am working on a sketch for Thursday but we'll see if I have time to pull it together to present. Have a good day!
★ ⋰⋱★⋰⋱★⋰⋱ ★
★ Happy New Year★
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Thanks so much Nicole! :))
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy :) I love those stars and dots around the Happy New Year! Same to you, I hope 2020 is wonderful for you and your hubby! I do hope to see you on Thursday!
ReplyDeleteWe'll spend New Year's Eve at home watching the ball drop in NYC. Crescents are one of my favorites. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much John! :) Enjoy your evening!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday at home, Rain. Thise sandwiches look so good ans so do the assorted cheeses and spinach lasagne roll-uos. I could go on raving about how wonderfully delicious everything must have tasted, but will stop here. We spent our Christmas holiday and the days after visiting family in several states. New Years Eve we traditionally spend at home, but this year have been invited to a get together with chili and dominoes games. We’re just getting home that day, so not sure if we will want to go out.
ReplyDeleteHappy 🍾🥂New Year to you and Alex and the oets.
Thanks Dorothy :) Chili and dominoes sounds like fun! But I can understand why you'd want to just relax at home after traveling so much! We are supposed to have a huge snowstorm so we'd be grounded even if we wanted to go out! Wishing you the best in 2020!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! My you have a wonderful coming new year. Nancy
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy, same to you!! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is safe to say veggie tourtière around me, Rain! LOL I'd actually prefer that :)
ReplyDeleteAs always, I love your images. So much good food and so much love.
I want to wish you and Alex an amazing 2020! I just KNOW that all you plan for will be yours. HAPPY 2020!
Good morning sis :) I wanted to stop in one more time before this year is over.
ReplyDeleteI had a very stressful christmas ... but stressful in a good way. Lots of excited little people and lots of company. Everyone had a good time :)
Your sandwich buffet looks delicious !!!
We will have Raclette as well tonight. Like every year on New Years eve. Probably , if it diesnt get too cold, we will light a nice bonfire ... the kids usually dont make it til midnight but the vino is chilling and maybe G and I will make it...lol
I have lots of plans for next year and I will share them with u once I have everything sorted out in my head ... which is not easy these days...lol
But the main thing and I guess everything else is connected to it is destressing and living in the moment :)
Fighting arthritis and sciatica ... lol
And stayingbsane in this crazy enviroment that I live in ... and love to live in.
I hooe you and Alex will have a wonderful New Years eve. I wish you too ALL the best for 2020. I am very excited to follow along when u start your search for your forever home. This will be the year dear Rain !!! 🏡🌅
Much love , peace and light send your way !!! Til next year ;)
Oh ... I was gonna ask, do you make your own Raclette cheese ?? I was never able to find real Raclette cheese here in canada. It is so delicious ...
LOL Martha, but you're one of US lol...I think it should be good! We'll see tomorrow morning! I hope you and George have the most AMAZING and LOVING 2020! New decade!!! :) xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Sis :)) I just texted you! :) The sandwich buffet was awesome, I'm going to make that more often I think. I remember the first year you had Raclette with G and that's when I decided I'M DOING THE SAME THING lol! It's a great New Year's Eve meal!! I'm looking forward to hearing about your plans! I have so many myself too. I'll share them with you when you write your next blog post! I'm so sorry about the arthritis and sciatica, oh my gosh. My sciatica is getting a little better because I make a bunch of changes...I got a special seat for the car, I stand most of the day at a "standing desk" and I still do some exercises. Oh yes, I made the Raclette cheese, but it didn't melt, still tastes awesome though! We are lucky in Quebec, we get all the France cheese here so I'm able to find the real stuff. I hope you all have the best year ahead Nik!!! xxx
ReplyDeleteoh my - four cheese pasta sauce made from your homemade cheeses. I'd be in Heaven and the garlic bread - oh yeah! I have a favorite appetizer but I don't make it - my sis and niece have which is artichoke dip with bread to dip into it. Love all your animals they look so cozy. Hope you find the perfect house for you this year!! That's an exciting adventure ahead Hope you and Alex have a wonderful year.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sandy! :) I hope 2020 is a great year for you too! xx I tried artichoke once, when you dip "suck out" the pulp from the leaves, and I didn't like that taste so artichoke won't be a part of my life lol! It looks really good though!
ReplyDeleteWow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletei think everyone should celebrate Christmas just like you do dear Rain :)))
what splendid and inviting food you made for the event ,i bet Alex is one of the most Lucky man :)
i could not visit any sooner due to busy with family as during holidays hubby and kids were home and days were too cold and too short to manage blogging along with chores and being with them
i enjoyed pet images ,they look so cute and really well behaved :)how nice that you have many plans for new year dear Rain
my deepest best wishes for each of your plan !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
may Lord fulfill all your dreams and wishes,amen!
hugs!
Thanks Baili! :) We don't need to be on the computer so much, especially during the holidays! I'm glad you had a good time with your family at home! The eating here was something else...I need to go on a fast for a few days to counter all the calories lol! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Rain.... awesome from start to the last photo. No room for a human in that bed! What a poster that would make, "come in, there's always room for one more!"
ReplyDeleteI love cream cheese and cherry sammies, and we just made yesterday, BLT's with cheddar like grilled cheese. You make life fun, and I only wish we were near enough to each other to visit! LeeAnna
Thanks so much LeeAnna! :) Cherry and cream cheese go SO well together don't they? You are so right, there isn't much room in bed when all the pets are there. And when we say "Okay, everyone off the bed" we mainly get lifted eyebrows and they ignore us lol!
ReplyDeleteThe food looks so delicious, I want to try them all.
ReplyDeleteYour dogs and cates are super adorable. I like how they lounge around like they own the place.
Have a great new year!
Thanks Lissa :) The pets definitely believe they own the place lol! We don't mind though! :)
ReplyDeleteDear Rain,I wish you and yours very happy New Year 2020 ❤️ 🧛
ReplyDeleteThank you Sirkkis! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Rain, may 2020 bring you everything that's good, health, happiness and unlimited creativity.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you saw the New Year in with a feast of delights what a wonderful house full of babies to share it all with. Take good care & I look forward to seeing what 2020 brings Hugs Tracey xx
Thanks so much Tracey :) 2020 is going to be a great year, I can feel it already! Yes, we feasted alright! Too much I think lol! :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great 2020, my good wishes.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thanks so much Jan! :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, the dogs definitely look like they are up to something! What is it about cats and boxes? LOL Your sandwiches look delicious, and I must say that your table arrangement is very symmetrical! Wishing you peace, love, and joy too!
ReplyDeleteDang lady, I'm movin in! I like how you have a traditional meal. I think I should start that for Christmas Day and for New Year's Eve. We were home both days.
ReplyDeleteThanks Louise :) The sandwich buffet was so delicious! I definitely want to do that again soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stefanie :) I think having a traditional meal makes the holiday more fun!
ReplyDelete