Spiral Ham

A spiral ham on its own is always tasty but adding a holiday glaze makes it even better.

Glaze:

• Melt a stick of butter in a saucepan
• Add two tablespoons of brown sugar, the zest of an orange, and a pinch of whole clovers
• Let simmer. Once the sugar dissolves, fish out the cloves and drizzle the glaze over your ham 

Seven Fishes

Italian Americans are known to serve seven different types of fish or seafood on Christmas Eve. Though this can be quite the undertaking, it is easy to throw your own seven fish feast without making seven different entrees. Check your local international market’s frozen section for a seafood medley containing mussels, scallops, clams, and a number of other sea food options. Steam them and simmer with marinara sauce. Serve over pasta mangia. 

Sausage Stuffing

Take any stuffing recipe that you love and make it that much better. Prepare your stuffing recipe as directed.

• Brown one pound of ground sausage in a frying pan
• When it is about halfway cooked, throw in half of a diced onion, two diced carrots, two diced celery stalks, and a bay leaf
• When the sausage is cooked and the vegetables are soft, remove the bay leaf and fold into your stuffing 

Egg Nog

• Take a dozen egg yolks and start beating
• Add two cups of sugar and two teaspoons of vanilla extract
• Once smooth, add one quart of whole milk and one quart of whipped heavy cream
• Chill and serve, Or if you want to give it a kick, add a liter of either brandy or spiced rum
• Don’t forget a pinch of nutmeg before serving 

Sugar Cookies

It is fair to say that when it comes to sugar cookies, the recipe is not that important. In fact, use any recipe you prefer. You can even buy premade dough. The real joy of making Christmas sugar cookies comes in the fun you have when you decorate them with family. Once baked and cooled, gather the family along with multiple colors of icing and other candy embellishments. The cookies will be as much fun as the memories.