“Now Christmas comes, 'tis fit that we should feast and sing, and merry be." ~ from the 1766 ‘Virginia Almanack’

The other evening marked our last BITE get-together until the spring (2 out of the 4 of us will be heading south for the winter).  Hosted by Ellen, she chose "Our favorite Christmas dish" as our theme.
Her festively decorated home provided the perfect backdrop - good company, good food - wonderful time!

The appetizers were provided by Chris, who brought some shrimp cocktail and the stuffed mushrooms that her family always serves.  She does not have a specific recipe for these, and for our meal she chose to stuff the mushrooms with chicken sausage.  Now, I have tried to like mushrooms, I really have - but we just don't see eye-to-eye.  I did, however, eat the sausage stuffing - and it was delicious!

I brought the side-dish.  Every Christmas I make Carmelized Onion Pudding, and I must admit that it is wonderful.  I was especially glad to make this for our dinner as we are forgoing our big Christmas dinner at home this year in favor of a gazillion appetizers.

Carmelized Onion Pudding

Ellen's entree of "Christmas Chicken" was a sensation - so good and - bless her - she made a separate portion for me sans mushrooms!  This is one of those recipes that is on a card, not online, so please head over to The BITE Page where I have written the recipe out.

Christmas Chicken (please go to BITE page for recipe)

Baked, mashed potatoes 

Lastly we have Tierney's Gingerbread Pear Trifle, which was as beautiful as it was delicious.  If you check out the original site for the recipe - her version looks picture perfect!  What an amazing combination of flavors!

Gingerbread Pear Trifle

So there you have it - our last meal till April, which I will be hosting.  I have already chosen the theme - which will be Downton Abbey.  This should give Ellen the opportunity to catch up on the episodes.  I even purchased The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook!  In keeping with that theme, and with the fact that Christmas is on our doorstep, check out this amazing video!

An update as I get ready to post this on Facebook - 9:10 a.m. Saturday morning - several inches of white, fluffy snow!!!

Have a wonderful holiday!