This is what I was thinking for a menu:

Turkey & stuffing (got this covered)

Need your tried & true for:

1) 2nd meat: meatballs

2) Vegetables: 2, one must be corn/green beans/peas (DH is fussy)

3) Salad, need 2 (coleslaws or regular leaf salads. I particularly liked a salad I once tried with romaine, sunflower seeds and some raspberry type dressing!)

4) Mashed potatoes: any with cream cheese or garlic per chance?

5) Drinks: before, during & after dinner. Wine during dinner, any other beverages before & after dinner appreciated.

6) Appetizers: pre-made, hot or cold

Any help you can give would be SOOOOOO greatly appreciated. I feel absolutely LOST without my index, so any recipes you have that can fill any of these categories would be awesome. This is my FIRST holiday hosting, and of course, Murphy's Law dictates that my recipe box is GONE!!

Any other ideas on the menu, please feel free to comment!!

Thanks so much for your help!

Lora

Ingredients For 4 Persons:

1/2 kilo steamed or boiled and mashed "Bintje" potatoes (potatoes usually used for fries)
300 grs steamed or boiled and mashed carrots
1 egg yolk
1 sauteed onion
50 grs butter
Salt, pepper and nutmeg

Instructions:

Mix the mashed potatoes and carrots with the onion
Add the egg yolk
Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg
Serve warm

Tip:

Add lemon juice to reveal carrots aroma.

Stoemp is a traditional Belgian winter meal.

Vary the taste by replacing carrots by spinach or (belgian) endive or another vegetable.

Hope this helps :-)

canned whole water chestnuts
bacon

Cut the bacon to a length that will overlap when wrapped around a water chestnut (be generous).
Drain the chestnuts and wrap. Push a toothpick thru. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake in toaster oven 350 degrees until sizzling.

I also like smoked oysters, drained, with saltines (!) placed on the tray.

And what is Xmas without a cheese ball?! A zillion recipes. I use
8 oz. cream cheese
12 oz. cup of Kaukwana Club (sp?) soft cheddar
1.25 oz blue cheese
1 tsp. Worcestershire
2 Tbsp. butter
Beat all together (have the cheeses at room temp.) and dump onto a large piece of saran. Chill several hours or overnight. Keeping it in the saran form a ball. Day of serving roll the ball in chopped toasted pecans or almonds or paprika or minced chives. Sometimes I add 2 Tbsp. cream sherry. Very versatile. Cut back on the blue cheese for a milder flavor.

Mash cooked potateos in mixer until light & fluffy. Add seasonings, sour cream, cream cheese & beat until well blended. Taste to check seasoning & adjust if necessary. Put in buttered 2 qt casserole. Dot w/butter & sprinkle w/paprika. Bake uncovered in a preheated 350° for 30 minutes. This freezes well, so can be prepared ahead of time - just defrost before baking.~~

Wash, trim & string beans. Break in 1/2. Place in water in large saucepan. Bring to a boil; redice heat & simmer 6-8 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain. Plunge into ice water to stop cooking process. Set aside. In the same pan heat oil. Saute mushrooms & next 7 ingredients until tender. Stir in green beans & cook until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle w/grated Parmesan before serving.~~