Casual Christmas side dishes?
December 21, 2006 4:00 AM Subscribe
This year, my family is doing Christmas with ham sandwiches in lieu of the traditional dinner. What are some casual yet impressive side dishes I could bring along to go with this theme?
Campbell's soup always pairs nicely with a sandwich. You could bring a selection of ready to eat soups in a can, and people could choose their favorites.
Just out of curiosity, why the casual holiday dinner?
posted by genefinder at 4:19 AM on December 21, 2006
Just out of curiosity, why the casual holiday dinner?
posted by genefinder at 4:19 AM on December 21, 2006
Mashed-potato-and-green-bean sandwiches.
posted by Faint of Butt at 4:27 AM on December 21, 2006
posted by Faint of Butt at 4:27 AM on December 21, 2006
If you modify the menu to include not just ham sandwiches but grilled ham-and-cheese sandwiches, I'd suggest tomato soup as an accompaniment.
What a great idea, opting for something more casual rather than the usual Christmas Day feast.
posted by emelenjr at 4:30 AM on December 21, 2006
What a great idea, opting for something more casual rather than the usual Christmas Day feast.
posted by emelenjr at 4:30 AM on December 21, 2006
Best answer: We are doing the same thing this year for Christmas Eve. We always have a somewhat formal Christmas Eve dinner at my parent's house. This year we are having sandwiches so we can play games, sing karaoke, and hang out, etc. instead of stressing and cooking and cleaning a huge dinner.
Along with our cold cut platters we are having potato chips of course. My mother is making brownies. My sister is bringing deviled eggs, and a spinach dip in a bread bowl. I am bringing seven-layer bars and jam thumbprints. Yes, it's going to be a white trash Christmas.
I love the mac and cheese idea.
Some other ideas:
Stuffed mushrooms
Pickle tray
A veggie tray with a great dip.
Pasta salad
Scalloped potatoes if you want to skip the chips
Fruit salad--or fresh orange and red grapefruit sections.
One year we did hot fudge sundaes for Christmas Eve instead of pies and cookies. You could always have your sandwiches, chips, and make-your-own hot fudge sundaes. Yum. Have fun and Merry Christmas!
posted by LoriFLA at 5:11 AM on December 21, 2006
Along with our cold cut platters we are having potato chips of course. My mother is making brownies. My sister is bringing deviled eggs, and a spinach dip in a bread bowl. I am bringing seven-layer bars and jam thumbprints. Yes, it's going to be a white trash Christmas.
I love the mac and cheese idea.
Some other ideas:
Stuffed mushrooms
Pickle tray
A veggie tray with a great dip.
Pasta salad
Scalloped potatoes if you want to skip the chips
Fruit salad--or fresh orange and red grapefruit sections.
One year we did hot fudge sundaes for Christmas Eve instead of pies and cookies. You could always have your sandwiches, chips, and make-your-own hot fudge sundaes. Yum. Have fun and Merry Christmas!
posted by LoriFLA at 5:11 AM on December 21, 2006
I just thought of a few more ideas. Crowd pleasers:
Broccoli salad
Spinach Gratin (I find that a tablespoon of salt that the recipe calls for is too salty. I use half a tablespoon.)
Shrimp Cocktail
Potato Salad
Spinach Artichoke Pasta Salad (a friend makes this for just about every get-together and people go nuts. It's delicious!)
posted by LoriFLA at 5:32 AM on December 21, 2006 [1 favorite]
Broccoli salad
Spinach Gratin (I find that a tablespoon of salt that the recipe calls for is too salty. I use half a tablespoon.)
Shrimp Cocktail
Potato Salad
Spinach Artichoke Pasta Salad (a friend makes this for just about every get-together and people go nuts. It's delicious!)
posted by LoriFLA at 5:32 AM on December 21, 2006 [1 favorite]
Just two words to accompany Ham Sandwiches - Onion Relish (make your own or buy - either way, the sweetness works a treat)
posted by mattr at 5:37 AM on December 21, 2006
posted by mattr at 5:37 AM on December 21, 2006
Totally potato salad.
You could also bring some fancy mustard for the sandwiches.
I absolutely love that your family is doing this. I'm insanely jealous!
posted by tastybrains at 5:55 AM on December 21, 2006
You could also bring some fancy mustard for the sandwiches.
I absolutely love that your family is doing this. I'm insanely jealous!
posted by tastybrains at 5:55 AM on December 21, 2006
Really good cole slaw.
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 6:23 AM on December 21, 2006
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 6:23 AM on December 21, 2006
Baked sweet potatoes or baked acorn squash. I do not like either one done up all dessert-y; they're just sweet enough and don't need to be goopy.
I nuke some butter with a ton of minced garlic (microwave them together so the garlic softens a bit), then sprinkle salt and parsley in. That can be passed for drizzling - it's all either one needs. Fantastic with ham, and they're nice and hot and satisfying. I like the squash just slightly better, but the potatoes are dead easy if you've got a larger crowd.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:24 AM on December 21, 2006
I nuke some butter with a ton of minced garlic (microwave them together so the garlic softens a bit), then sprinkle salt and parsley in. That can be passed for drizzling - it's all either one needs. Fantastic with ham, and they're nice and hot and satisfying. I like the squash just slightly better, but the potatoes are dead easy if you've got a larger crowd.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:24 AM on December 21, 2006
Sweet potato casserole. Not that crap with the marshmallows, but with the glazed walnut or pecan topping. MMMM.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 6:26 AM on December 21, 2006
posted by misanthropicsarah at 6:26 AM on December 21, 2006
Best answer: Sausage-Cheese balls are super-easy and completely tasty. Plus, they're excellent leftovers for breakfast. You could also bring some larb gai (minced chicken marinated in a lime-ginger juice, served usually cold and with cabbage) or hummus or spanokopita (spinach in filo, whose spelling I think I just mangled).
You could also bring a variety of additional sandwich toppings (brie, apples, bacon, pineapple salsa, good pickles, various cheeses, caramelized onions as opposed to raw, etc).
posted by julen at 6:34 AM on December 21, 2006
You could also bring a variety of additional sandwich toppings (brie, apples, bacon, pineapple salsa, good pickles, various cheeses, caramelized onions as opposed to raw, etc).
posted by julen at 6:34 AM on December 21, 2006
Artichoke heart dip is really easy to make but out of this world - pretty much just a tin of artichoke hearts, heaps of mayo, garlic, and parmesan cheese, bake it, and serve hot or cold. It tastes like you've spent hours on it. Google artichoke dip for a million recipes. Mmm Mmmm.
Artichoke is a really weird word if you look at it too long.
posted by penguin pie at 6:57 AM on December 21, 2006
Artichoke is a really weird word if you look at it too long.
posted by penguin pie at 6:57 AM on December 21, 2006
Cranberry-orange relish. Taste fancy but is really easy to make. You can either use a meat grinder or a food processor. Grind up about 4 mid-sized naval oranges (including rind) and a bag of cranberries. If you use a meat grinder, use a bowl to catch the juices and add them back at the end.
Stir in about a quarter cup of sugar, then start adding more to taste (we always liked it tart). When it tastes good, it's done. It's good on sandwiches or beside them.
posted by carmen at 7:03 AM on December 21, 2006
Stir in about a quarter cup of sugar, then start adding more to taste (we always liked it tart). When it tastes good, it's done. It's good on sandwiches or beside them.
posted by carmen at 7:03 AM on December 21, 2006
You could do a couple fancy mustards to go with the ham.
And maybe as a treat fresh pineapple instead of the canned?
posted by beccaj at 7:08 AM on December 21, 2006
And maybe as a treat fresh pineapple instead of the canned?
posted by beccaj at 7:08 AM on December 21, 2006
Best answer: We do this, it rocks! How bout some pigs in a blanket, chili cheese dip in a crock pot, chicken salad sandwiches, pinnaple and cream cheese sand., vegetable tray, sausage balls, oh, the possibilities are endless. Think tailgate party and go from there. Families are for having fun with!
posted by stormygrey at 7:31 AM on December 21, 2006
posted by stormygrey at 7:31 AM on December 21, 2006
Seconding the idea of hot sandwiches. For $20 or less, you can buy a sandwich toaster that will allow everyone to have toasty warm melted cheese sandwiches. I'm drooling just thinking about it.
For a side dish, I'd bring something like fruit salad (or even green salad) that will be a little lighter than what others are likely to bring. I always appreciate having something a bit healthier around so that I don't start feeling too over-full.
posted by decathecting at 7:38 AM on December 21, 2006
For a side dish, I'd bring something like fruit salad (or even green salad) that will be a little lighter than what others are likely to bring. I always appreciate having something a bit healthier around so that I don't start feeling too over-full.
posted by decathecting at 7:38 AM on December 21, 2006
We're doing this too - in years past, we have snacked all day and ended up too full to eat a big meal anyway. Great suggestions!
posted by Sweetie Darling at 8:20 AM on December 21, 2006
posted by Sweetie Darling at 8:20 AM on December 21, 2006
Seconding a pickle tray.
posted by StickyCarpet at 8:34 AM on December 21, 2006
posted by StickyCarpet at 8:34 AM on December 21, 2006
We're doing this too! Yay, 12V, thanks for this post. I'm getting the awesome spinach dip from Costco with some of their garlic artisan bread, but now I'll be culling other ideas from here. (yes, I'm going to Costco the weekend before Christmas. pray for me.)
posted by peep at 8:40 AM on December 21, 2006
posted by peep at 8:40 AM on December 21, 2006
Assorted mustards. Grey poupon and Coleman's is all I would ever need, but throw in an american yellow, some grainy country-style thing, and a hot one.
posted by StickyCarpet at 8:41 AM on December 21, 2006
posted by StickyCarpet at 8:41 AM on December 21, 2006
For a twist on the traditional holiday sweet potatoes, I adore this recipe for Lime Cilantro Sweet Potatoes. They are best warm but very good at room temp, too. You could even cut the taters into long strips so they'd be like fries, to go with the sandwich/finger food theme.
posted by CiaoMela at 8:51 AM on December 21, 2006
posted by CiaoMela at 8:51 AM on December 21, 2006
Butternut squash soup, with chili oil and sour cream for garnish. It travels well, and reheats easily. If you have a mandolin, beet chips would go great with the sandwiches. A spicy concoction sprinkled on them right after frying would be nice. You can make these a day ahead; keep them in an airtight container
posted by JABof72 at 8:57 AM on December 21, 2006
posted by JABof72 at 8:57 AM on December 21, 2006
Thirding on both pickles and mustard: the key is "bring 5 or 6 different types."
posted by baylink at 10:34 AM on December 21, 2006
posted by baylink at 10:34 AM on December 21, 2006
sweet potato fries--casual, but with a holiday flavor.
posted by thinkingwoman at 11:07 AM on December 21, 2006
posted by thinkingwoman at 11:07 AM on December 21, 2006
macaroni and maytag blue cheese, from this thread way back when ...
PinkStainlessTail: Do you have a particular set of instructions, or are you just talking through your puffy white hat?
Your wish is my command. While this recipe is made with Maytag blue, I'm sure Stilton would work wonderfully. It's an Emeril Lagasse recipe (you may hate his TV persona, but I've had some of the best meals of my life in his restaurant), and the first time I made it people were moaning and pounding their fists on the table.
BTW, I love the idea of a little chopped onion, but I think I'd try it with some finely minced shallot, which I'd sauté in the butter before adding the flour for the roux.
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon butter
3 tablespoons flour
3 cups milk
Freshly ground white pepper
1/2 pound crumbled Maytag Blue Cheese
2 egg yolks, beaten
Dash of Crystal Hot Sauce
Salt
1 pound small shells, cooked until tender
1 cup fine dried bread crumbs
1 tablespoon olive oil
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Grease a large shallow baking pan with 1 teaspoon of the butter.
In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes.
Whisk in the milk, 1/2 cup at a time. Season with white pepper.
Cook, stirring constantly for 4 to 6 minutes.
Remove from the heat and whisk in the cheese and egg yolks. Season with the hot sauce and salt if needed. In a large mixing bowl, toss the pasta with the sauce.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. In a small mixing bowl, combine the bread crumbs and oil.
Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
Sprinkle the pasta with the bread crumbs. Bake until the top is golden and bubbly, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven and cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
YIELD: 6 to 8 servings
posted by chuq at 3:46 PM PST on August 15
(longtime reader, recent member who still hasn't figured out this deep-linking thing ...)
posted by the luke parker fiasco at 8:27 AM on December 22, 2006
PinkStainlessTail: Do you have a particular set of instructions, or are you just talking through your puffy white hat?
Your wish is my command. While this recipe is made with Maytag blue, I'm sure Stilton would work wonderfully. It's an Emeril Lagasse recipe (you may hate his TV persona, but I've had some of the best meals of my life in his restaurant), and the first time I made it people were moaning and pounding their fists on the table.
BTW, I love the idea of a little chopped onion, but I think I'd try it with some finely minced shallot, which I'd sauté in the butter before adding the flour for the roux.
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon butter
3 tablespoons flour
3 cups milk
Freshly ground white pepper
1/2 pound crumbled Maytag Blue Cheese
2 egg yolks, beaten
Dash of Crystal Hot Sauce
Salt
1 pound small shells, cooked until tender
1 cup fine dried bread crumbs
1 tablespoon olive oil
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Grease a large shallow baking pan with 1 teaspoon of the butter.
In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes.
Whisk in the milk, 1/2 cup at a time. Season with white pepper.
Cook, stirring constantly for 4 to 6 minutes.
Remove from the heat and whisk in the cheese and egg yolks. Season with the hot sauce and salt if needed. In a large mixing bowl, toss the pasta with the sauce.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. In a small mixing bowl, combine the bread crumbs and oil.
Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
Sprinkle the pasta with the bread crumbs. Bake until the top is golden and bubbly, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven and cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
YIELD: 6 to 8 servings
posted by chuq at 3:46 PM PST on August 15
(longtime reader, recent member who still hasn't figured out this deep-linking thing ...)
posted by the luke parker fiasco at 8:27 AM on December 22, 2006
If you want to follow with non-traditional dessert, I ADORE Paula Deen's Banana-Cream Pudding recipe.
posted by radioamy at 3:10 PM on December 22, 2006
posted by radioamy at 3:10 PM on December 22, 2006
Another side dish suggestion would be a quiche or fritata, although I don't have any good recipes handy.
posted by radioamy at 3:11 PM on December 22, 2006
posted by radioamy at 3:11 PM on December 22, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by SoftRain at 4:07 AM on December 21, 2006