Christmas Party Recipes - Part 1

Whenever I plan a menu for a group, I strategize about how I can get it all done and not wear myself down for party time. I like to choose some recipes that can be made ahead of time – so I can spend several hours before the party doing all the last minute preparations and put my make-up on! My strategy for this menu was to make the Chicken Divans and Brown Bread the weekend before the party and put them in the freezer. (Just remember to start thawing the day before!)

I baked the Hot Crab Dip right before guests arrived, but put it all together the night before so I just had to slip it in the oven. I mixed up the Cobbler before the guests arrived – but then put it in the over right after the Divan came out of the oven. Here’s the Divan recipe and Brown bread recipe that I’ve been using for years.

Bob's Brown Bread - Oven: 350º
2 1/2 c. Whole wheat flour
1/2 c. White flour
1/2 c. Powdered Milk
1/2 c. Brown Sugar
1 tsp. Salt
2 tsp. Soda
2 c. Milk

Heat oven to 350º.
Grease and flour two medium-size loaf pans.
In large mixing bowl, mix together all dry ingredients.
Add milk and mix until well blended.
Bake at 350º for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center of loaf comes out clean.

Chicken Divan - Oven: 350º
Serves 8
4 Whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts (generally packaged chicken breasts are 1/2 of the breast so use 8)
   Cook in salted water one hour
Chop chicken into chunks and place in buttered casserole dish with 2-3 cups of chopped broccoli.
Mix together:
    2 cans Cream of chicken soup
    1 c. Mayonaise
    1 tsp. Lemon juice
    1 tsp. Curry powder
Pour over chicken/broccoli.
Top with:
    1 c. Shredded cheddar cheese
    1/2 c. Buttered bread crumbs
    Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Bake at 350º for 45 minutes; longer if refrigerated.

Friday, I’ll post the Hot Crab Dip and Peach Cobbler Recipes.

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