One of my “hacks” last year was a big hit - tomato soup shooters with a skewer of a pretzel bread bite with melted cheese. It was my take on grilled cheese and soup but for an appetizer. (I bought the Imagine tomato and roasted bell pepper soup and the pretzel bites so it was peasy).
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Or do it semi-homemade – augment the dish to make it yours.
Like with frozen pizzas, you might add chopped onion, green pepper, parmesan, more cheese (always!), a couple shakes of garlic or Italian seasoning, etc.
With mac and cheese, add a little more milk and butter, a handful of cheddar and a slice of American. That really improves the box. Ham and bacon chunks would further improve it.
With your enchiladas – having never tried them, I’m not sure what they could use, if anything. But hint hint I bet there isn’t enough cheese or sauce. Or maybe some fresh chopped onion, lettuce, sour cream, salsa, guac… crushed Doritos for some texture… etc.
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For Mac and cheese…make this. Easy peasy. But use 1/2 and 1/2 instead of milk. If you decide to double this for a crowd…don’t double the eggs.
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I’m going to bring most of the Christmas meal to my in laws. Mil did the entire thanksgiving meal so I’m happy to do this.
I’ll bring tenderloin as it will be a small crowd and I like tenderloin.
I’d like to do a potato au gratin or a potato casserole that I can make ahead of time and warm up.
Any recipe recommendations?
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POTATOES ROMANOFF
This originally came from the Vegetarian Epicure cookbook. We affectionately refer to this as “potatoes with all your dairy groups.”
8 cups peeled and diced potatoes
1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
1 cups sour cream
4 cloves garlic minced
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup minced parsley (I don’t use this)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
1 cup grated cheddar
paprika for garnish
Parboil potatoes in water till just fork tender Drain(save the potato water for bread baking or soup stock). Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cottage cheese, sour cream, garlic, onion, parsley, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Add to potatoes and stir to combine. Spread mixture in casserole and top with cheddar. Sprinkle paprika on for a little added color. Bake 35 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is lightly browned.
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This is our family favorite: https://www.williams-sonoma.com/m/recipe/truffle-potato-gratin.html
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A few years ago my mother decided she really liked prime rib for Christmas. Safeway puts them on sale the week before, but you have to buy the entire ‘bag’ one - about 12 lbs. It is like a Fred Flintstone rack!
Last year I cut it in 1/3s and I just made the last one a week ago. De-lish! I think it is easier to make than turkey and cooks faster.
We also started doing dips and hors d’oeuvres for Christmas eve and everyone seems to like that. And we have the traditional egg rolls for brunch on Christmas morning after a patrol went out looking for liquor on Christmas morning and found the law had changed and it was not available on Christmas anymore. Came back with egg rolls and now it is a requirement.
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A fabulous dish.
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This sounds delicious except that I can’t buy crème frache locally. I know I could make it myself but don’t want to buy a container of buttermilk for 2 tablespoons. 
I think you can use sour cream in place of crème fraiche
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Yes, you can use sour cream.
Thanks! It does look good!
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Potatoes, butter, and salt:
https://www.thekitchn.com/pommes-anna-recipe-23159037
Looks festive and tastes great.
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For Xmas ever, I’ll have beef tenderloin sliders, chicken taquitas and a pasta salad. I’ll ask 2 friends to bring an appetizer each.
Not sure what for an Xmas drink. We try to do some type of martini. I think we did a chocolate one last time with a candy cane in it. Maybe appletinis this year since they’re green, and add a candy cane.
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I can get crème Freche in my regular supermarket - it’s in the cheese case.
I checked, not available. I live in a small town.
Too bad. I am also not in an urban area and was surprised to find it.
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Here are several creme fraiche substitutes: 5 Best Crème Fraîche Substitutes - Easy Swaps for Crème Fraîche
Lemon juice plus milk can be used as a buttermilk substitute (just google for proportions based on how much you need)
Some interesting ideas for brunch dishes:
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Gosh, I’d eat about every one of those! Worth a look.
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