Reynolds - Christmas Recipes: Traditional Christmas Meal Recipes: 30 Recipes for Preparing a Traditional Christmas Feast

Nothing warms the heart quite like a fun evening spent with close friends, good spirits, and delicious holiday food. Whether you are hosting or visiting someone elses home, the recipes included in this book offer many ideas for Christmas appetizers, meals, desserts, and snacks, from savory Baked Brie to Peppermint Brittle.

Each recipe includes serving size, though you can always halve or multiply the recipe to increase the yield. Mixing in your favorite nuts, meat, or other ingredients can give each recipe a personalized touch. Everyone will appreciate the care that goes into making these delicious Christmas meals! Bring some to your next holiday gathering or whip some up before inviting your friends and family over.

Be of good cheer this holiday season. Eat, drink, and be merry!

Baked Brie

Serves 25

20 calories per serving
1 shallot, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
tsp. white pepper
1 tbs. dry vermouth
8 oz. Brie cheese
3 sheets phyllo dough
2 tbs. butter, melted
Preheat the oven to 350. In a small bowl, combine the garlic, white pepper, shallot, and vermouth. Set aside. Leaving a -inch lip around the edge, slice off the rind from the top of the Brie cheese. Place it on a baking sheet and spoon the garlic mixture evenly on top. Making squares, fold each of the phyllo sheets in half. Wrap them around the Brie cheese, tucking the edges underneath. If necessary, trim away the corners so that there is not too much pastry underneath the Brie. Use the melted butter to brush the top of the phyllo dough. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown and very soft. Serve warm.

Traditional Christmas Cheese Ball

Serves 12

250 calories per serving
12 oz. cream cheese, softened
2.5 oz. package thinly sliced smoked beef, chopped
2.25 oz. can pimento-stuffed green olives, chopped
1 small Vidalia or other sweet onion, minced
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1 cup chopped walnuts
In a large bowl, stir together the cream cheese, beef, olives, onion, and Worcestershire sauce until evenly mixed. Use a spatula to scrape this mixture into a ball shape. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.

Prepare a work surface by placing a large sheet of wax paper on a flat countertop. Sprinkle wax paper with walnuts. Roll the cheese ball around in the walnuts until completely covered. Place the cheese ball on a serving platter. If you must wait until serving, you may store the cheese ball, covered, in the refrigerator until needed.