Southern Christmas Goodies

I’ve been really busy this weekend.

I’ve turned this:

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Christmas Cooking Ingredients

Into this:

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Christmas Goodies
Christmas cookies and candies
Christmas cookies and candies

Now, we can enjoy time with our family with the goodies and their wonderful loving company. What could be better than that?

Metamorphosis Monday with Between Naps on the Porch
Metamorphosis Monday with Between Naps on the Porch

I’ll be posting Christmas things all week. Hope you’ll come back! Merry Christmas!!!

Today’s Lagniappe:  Broccoli Gratin
After all those sweets, I really feel the need for some veggies!

  • 1/4 cup butter, plus more for the baking dish
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, plus more as needed
  • Pinch nutmeg
  • Black pepper
  • 2 pounds broccoli (about 4 heads), cut into small florets (about 8 cups)
  • 1 cup grated sharp Cheddar (about 4 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs

Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Butter an 8-by-8-by-2-inch baking dish or an 8-cup gratin dish.

Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the milk, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and nutmeg and bring to a boil while whisking constantly. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the white sauce is thickened, about 10 minutes. Season with pepper. Remove from the heat.

Meanwhile, bring about 1-inch of water to a boil in a large saucepan and set up a collapsible steamer on top. Put the broccoli in the steamer and season with salt. Cover, and steam until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Put the broccoli in the prepared dish, sprinkle with half of the cheese and pour on the sauce. Cover with the remaining cheese.

Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bread crumbs and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Cover the gratin with the bread crumbs. Bake until lightly browned and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Serve immediately.


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Comments

6 responses to “Southern Christmas Goodies”

  1. Laura Ingalls Gunn Avatar

    I just adore your Christmas inspired metamorphosis.

    Be merry and bright!

  2. Eileen Avatar

    Good for you! Kudos!
    It all looks so delicious!
    Merry Christmas!
    All the best,
    Eileen

  3. Mama Avatar
    Mama

    hope you are planning on bringing some of those with you to share with us.

  4. Gollum Avatar
    Gollum

    Now THAT is a transformation and a half. Everything looks delicious! Merry Christmas!

  5. Tammy518 Avatar

    Ooh, I love your goodies. Can I come over?

  6. bonnie morgan Avatar

    Thanks for inspiring me. I need to get busy baking.

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