Southern Christmas Dinner

Southern Christmas is nothing but the Christmas which is celebrated down south. The south of America is a mighty place and people over there are more of the traditional types. So it's understood that Christmas over there would be celebrated in a traditional way. So if you really want to treat yourself with Christmas traditional style, here are some dinner ideas which can be included in southern Christmas dinner. Christmas in south is a big event. Southerners love traditions and that's why they like to stay at home and eat home cooked Christmas food. I think it's the only day of the year where a spare table is brought because all the food wouldn't accumulate in one table. So here are some great ideas for a traditional Christmas dinner down south.

Southern Christmas Dinner Menu

Here's a look at some traditional Christmas recipes which will make your mouth watery. Don't think that just because it's called traditional, the food won't be that tasty. In fact, a typical southern Christmas dinner menu will make you want for more. Here are some recipes which should be included.

Roasted Turkey
Ingredients

• Turkey, fresh or frozen, 1
• Softened butter or margarine, 1 packet
• Fresh ground pepper
• Neck and gizzards of the turkey
• Water, 3 cups

Preparation
Start by removing the neck and gizzards and anything else that you need to make your broth. Wash the turkey in cold water and then dry the bird up with paper towels or by placing under the sun. Now apply butter all over the turkey generously and sprinkle a little salt and pepper. Now if you have made turkey stuffing, place it on the neck and in the body cavity. Preheat the oven to 325°F. By the time your oven is heating it's time you make the turkey broth. Take a sauce pan and place the gizzards and the neck in it. Add water and a 1 tsp of butter. Bring it to a boil and lower the flame. Now place this turkey recipe in a roasting dish and cook for 30 minutes. Now check your turkey often with your turkey broth. Let the turkey get cooled to an internal temperature of 185°F. Before eating let it cool for about 10 minutes.

Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients

• Potatoes, 3
• Whole milk, ¼ cup
• White pepper, ½ tsp
• Salt to taste

Preparation
Clean potatoes under running water and dry them. Take a saucepan add 4 cups of water and boil them. Now add the potatoes and let them boil for over 20 minutes. Take another small saucepan add milk and heat it over medium heat make sure the milk doesn't boil. Now that your potatoes are soft, drain the water. Heat the saucepan with potatoes in it on low flame till the potatoes become dry. Now add milk, pepper, salt to taste and mash the potatoes. Serve hot.

Green Beans
Ingredients

• Fresh snapped green beans, 5 cups
• Bacon slice, 1
• Onion, 1
• Black pepper, ½ tsp
• Garlic powder, 1 tsp
• Salt to taste

Preparation
Take a large pot and place all the snapped beans in it. Cover beans with water. Add all the ingredients in the pot. Heat the pot on a medium flame. Now cook the beans till they turn dark green color, this would probably take about ½ hour. Make the beans have become tender and a little salty. Don't heat in excess and serve warm.

Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients

• Macaroni, 14 ounces
• Shredded cheddar cheese, 1 pound
• Milk, 1 cup
• Unsalted butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation
To make this delicious macaroni and cheese , heat your oven to 350°F and make sure you soften your butter by using the microwave. Boil your macaroni according to the packet instructions and place the cooked macaroni in a dish. Now add the soft butter, milk, salt and cheddar cheese. Mix all the ingredients gently. Bake this dish at 350°F for an hour and it will be ready when the top layer will turn golden brown. This is one of the easiest ideas for a southern Christmas dinner.

Cornbread
Ingredients

• White cornmeal, 2 cups
• Flour, 2/3 cup
• Buttermilk, 1 cup
• Baking powder, 1 tbsp
• Bacon drippings, 2 tbsp
• Baking soda, ¾ tbsp
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Take a skillet and grease it bacon drippings. Now place the skillet in the oven and start making the batter. Take a bowl and add all the dry ingredients and mix well. Now add buttermilk and mix well. Remove the skillet from the oven and add about 1 tsp of the hot oil of skillet in the bowl. Make sure the batter is consistent. If you think that the batter is thin add more cornmeal. Pour the batter in the skillet and heat it in the oven for about half hour. Make sure the top of the cornbread gets a little brown and keep checking the cornbread recipe after every 20 minutes.

Pecan Pie
Ingredients

• Corn syrup, 1 cup
• Butter, ½ cup
• Sugar, ½ cup
• Pecans, 1 cup
• Dish pie shell, 9 inch

Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Add sugar and butter in a bowl and mix well. Add syrup, salt and vanilla mix again. Now add eggs one by one. Now add pecans and leave few for garnishing. Add the mixture in the unbaked pie crust. Bake it in the oven for 45 minutes. You can eat this pecan pie recipe warm or cold.

So these were the recipes which can be included in southern Christmas dinner. So get on and start planning the Christmas dinner menu. If you can think of some menu ideas for dinner please mention them.