Menu for an Elegant Christmas Dinner

You're having a rather elegant Christmas get together and you want to really impress your guests with a nice dinner. Here's a menu I put together that is more on the "untraditional" Holiday dinner side, yet it's very classy. Your guests may thank you later for not wearing them out with more turkey or ham.

First let's begin with drinks. Go light. Having your guests get drunk or rowdy right off isn't a good thing in most cases. Offer glasses of water or tea, warm cocoa or coffee, or flutes of champagne. Festive drinks like Peppermint Martinis, Candy Cane shooters, and Winter Ales are a real crowd pleaser. Place your glassware and beverages on a cart or decorated table, and keep them chilled. A word to the wise, keep your stash of liquor in the closet or at least out of sight. This isn't to be stingy; it's so that your guests won't see all that alcohol you may have and be guzzling it down thinking there's plenty more.

With appetizers, you can't go wrong with fresh vegetables and dip, Caesar salads, and Pumpernickel bread and butter. Use your best Holiday trays or china and nothing "paper or plastic". Remember this in particular is an elegant dinner, not casual. Also, I just want to note that it may be a good idea to place a spoon in your dip bowl so your guests can pour dip in their own plates - this helps against those who "double-dip".

Now let's move on to the main course. For your meat let's overlook ham and turkey and go with fish. Yellowfin Tuna to be exact. Yellowfin Tuna steaks are found in your grocery store seafood section, but I'd suggest you hit your local seafood market. Tuna steaks are always a really exquisite "upscale" choice, not to mention a healthier choice over some meats. How you fix it is up to you, but I always recommend it be grilled to a medium rare state and smothered in a Pan Asian sauce. (You can find the sauce recipe online.) I know this is an elegant dinner, but mashed potatoes is absolutely yummy paired with Tuna. To dress up the potatoes, sprinkle chopped chives on top. What other side item is fitting for this elegant dinner? Steamed broccoli.

Your guests are getting full, but you just can't forget about dessert. Since it's a Holiday dinner, a Christmas theme is a must. A ritzy cake decorated like a Christmas ornament or a tree shaped cheesecake would be perfect. You also can't go wrong with fudge.

After dinner while everyone is sitting around or mingling again, you should have hot coffee or cocoa, tea, or water to help their stomachs settle from your delicious, deluxe Holiday meal.