On any normal Christmas day we don’t cook. The day consists of getting up, getting ready for 10:00 mass, going to church, coming home and having some breakfast, reading the paper, and then going to my brother’s apartment for the afternoon. No time to make any kind of Christmas dinner.
My other brother and his family also drop in after lunch at his mother-in-law’s. Because of this we don’t have a meal during the afternoon. That doesn’t mean we don’t eat, though. I usually take a cake or some cookies, so we basically have dessert but no meal.
Til we leave and get home it is usually around 6:00. Much too late to start cooking any kind of meal. Besides, we are a bit tired from being out all afternoon. For the past several years Christmas dinner for us was leftover Chinese food that we got earlier in the week just so we would have leftover when we get home Christmas evening.
Yes, we could have cooked the day before, but we don’t. Besides, Christmas Eve for us is a day of strict fast and abstinence – no meat and no dairy products.
This year, however, was not normal. We didn’t go anywhere. We stayed home. Because of this I decided to cook for us. We had a roast in the freezer. I didn’t feel like that. We had a ham in the freezer, but I didn’t feel like that either.
However, we had some leftover Thanksgiving turkey that I had cubed before freezing. That would be dinner. I didn’t want the usual turkey meal with stuffing, yams, and all of the fixings. Instead, when I went to the store earlier in the week I bought some baby bellas, heavy cream, and a box of spaghetti.
Dinner was going to be turkey tetrazzini. I had never made it before. I didn’t know how much work it would be to get together. I didn’t know how it would taste. Well, it did take a bit to get organized because it was my first time making it. The result? Delicious! That with a salad, rolls, and a glass of wine made our Christmas dinner. Now I know that every time we make a turkey I need to make sure there is enough left over to make turkey tetrazzini.
That dinner looks delicious. You’ve got me wanting to try and make tetrazzini.
It was a bit of work not knowing what I was doing, but the end result was definitely worth it. This recipe is a definite “keeper”.
It is a wonderful feeling when what we cook is tasty especially the ones that we cook for the first time. This year everything is different. All the best and take care. And we wish you and your family a very happy New Year.
Cooking a good meal does bring be pleasure. I enjoy cooking and I love to eat. Happy New Year to you and your family as well. May it be filled with bounteous joy and good health.
Another silver lining for all those canceled plans. My mom used to make turkey tetrazzini (I just love a word with two z’s!) anytime a family or friend needed a meal, usually due to some emergency.I naturally associate it with COMFORT, and of course, that’s what it brought you two on Christmas Day. Have a wonderful New Year.
Definitely comfort food…thick…hearty…delicious. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year as well,
Looks so good! (And I have the same set of Christmas Corelle). Writing about food always works! Lots of connections as we remember having the same comfort food or discover a new meal!
It is always nice to try new recipes and even better when they turn out well.
So happy to hear that you made the best of a novel situation – and with tasty results! Winner,winner, turkey dinner!
Definitely a winner. I like to eat and I enjoy trying new things. This took care of both.
Looks yummy! I bet my kids would like that, but I’ve never even had it. It’s funny how so many of our traditions revolve around food, even if it is leftover take out!
It really was good. I have had chicken tetrazzini before, but this was the first time I had it with turkey.
Cooking can be grounding in not normal situation. Good food makes any day good. So what is on menu for New Years Eve?
New Year’s Eve – baked lobster tail, salad, roasted potatoes, and a glass of wine. Pork and sauerkraut for New Year’s Day.
Love the Thanksgiving/Christmas connection with the turkey. Love tetrazzini . . . now did we have any left over turkey?
I was just looking for ways to use leftover turkey and this popped up. Glad I went with it.
I like that idea. You could even cube the turkey, make the tetrazzini ahead, freeze it, and pull it out for Christmas!!
I didn’t think of that, but I will file it for future reference.
Bob, I enjoy trying new meals and new baked items. As a matter of fact, I baked your ricotta cookies and then decided to try a twist with the recipe. That may be an upcoming slice due to your recipe. Enjoy your New Year’s Eve and let me know what you are cooking for that meal. I have a variety of cookies including the ricotta cookies.
Carol, I also like trying new recipes. I figure if all of the ingredients are things I like then the end product must be good. Our standard New Year’s Eve meal, since we have stopped going out, is lobster tail, baked potato, salad, and a glass of wine. The first time we bought lobster tail at a fish market the clerk told us the best way to cook it is to bake it. It retains the juice. So. That is the only way we cook lobster tail.
That looks so yummy!!! I had to laugh at not wanting ham – we ordered a huge ham for Christmas Day, and we feel obligated to pick at it every day so it doesn’t go to waster. I’m so over ham! 🙂
Well, we had ham for dinner today. I guess there is no getting away from it. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Hahah, so funny!