Holiday Open House
Have a party! An open house is a fun, informal way to celebrate the holidays with those friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers you won't actually be spending the big day with.

• Crock Pot Hot Apple Cider
• Holiday Coffee Punch
• Holiday Ham Spirals
• Pesto Dip and Vegetables
• Buffet Ham (see below)
• Savory New Potatoes
• Cream Cheese Tarts
• Egg Nog Bread
• Poppy Seed Bread

Buffet Ham
A smoked fully cooked boneless ham is one of the easiest and popular meats to serve at an open house. Pick out at least a 7 pound ham, and you will have enough to serve about 40 people. Most butchers or meat departments will shave the ham for free while you shop. Opt for this if you prefer to serve it deli style with several different breads and cheeses, plus condiments. If you would rather have baked ham that is served hot then take the ham home whole, and place it in the oven no more than 2 1/2 hours or so before your open house.

You are simply warming and glazing the ham -- if it's cooked at too high of a temperature or too long it will dry out. Place the ham in a covered roaster. In a bowl combine 2 cups of pineapple juice and one cup of honey and then pour over the ham. Bake at 300 degrees for about 2 hours-basting every once in awhile with the juices. Remove and slice before serving.

Notes: You will need 2 rolls or slices of bread per person and the same for slices of cheese to offer with the ham if you are serving it shaved and cold.

More ideas
• Recipes for entertaining
• Appetizer tips & recipes at Chef Mom

Back to the Holiday Menu Guide index