Christmas Dinner

Oh the weather outside is frightful, the snow is not so delightful, everybody had some place to go, and did it snow, did it snow, did it snow...

It seems so funny not to have a houseful on Christmas Day, but life changes, and people are far away.  This is a small Christmas, but to tell the truth I really enjoyed being with my two boys (but missing my other two).  We visited Aunt Fifi, this morning, and she looked very well. 

Then we came home and the boys and I dipped some chocolate covered strawberries that we kicked up a bit.  They ate some appetizers and wanted to wait for dinner, so it's in the oven as I type this.  

They wanted their two favorite appetizers, Spinach Dip and "Mock Horned Dorset Dip", we had the rest of the shrimp from yesterday, some cheeses and pepperoni, and that was more than enough. 

 I know that Spinach Dip is considered passe, but I have never made it where everyone who eats it hasn't loved it!  Today was no exception, so I will post the recipe for it on the site.  I know they sell it ready made in the stores, but this is so simple, and so much better tasting.  It was adapted from the Knorr's recipe box.  I eliminate the water chestnuts and double the spinach so it is not so loose.

 The Horned Dorset is a restaurant in nearby Leonardsville, New York.  It is out in the middle of nowhere, but once you enter the doors, you would think yo were in New York City.  The food is always outstanding, the service superb, and the atmosphere, warm and welcoming.  They have a signature dip that they always place on the table, and everyone always tries to figure out how to make it.  This is the closet we all have come. The recipe will also be posted here.  There are three ingredients in it, you can do it ahead, and it's good hot, or I like it even better at room temperature or slightly chilled.

"Mock Hornet Dorset Dip"

We have been making this recipe for years.  It is very easy to do, it can be prepared the night before, and baked the next day.  If you do it in an aluminum pan, it's easy to take and bake at someone's house.  If is delicious served hot, I like it better at room temperature, or a little chilled leftover the next day.

Now to the only drawback of this dip - because it contains mayonnaise and cheddar cheese, it appears very greasy when you finish baking it.  All you have to do it tip the pan a little and spoon out the excess grease.  I then take a paper towel and place it gently over the top and absorb even more grease. You can then transfer the dip to a crock or a bowl, once last time, give it a little degreasing and then serve it as a spread on crackers.  It does not taste greasy, it's just a little extra work at the end before you serve it.

Let me reiterate - I know it looks really greasy, but when you are finished it won't taste greasy and it is really delicious. If you have misgivings, bake it the day before you need it, do all the work, bring it to room temperature and them taste it before you serve it.

"MOCK" HORNED DORSET DIP
Elise Feiner


1 (12 ounce) bag of frozen chopped onions (thawed and drained) I use Ore-Ida® or 1 cup of fresh chopped onions
1 cup of mayonnaise
1 cup cheddar cheese


Mix everything together and bake in a small baking dish that has been sprayed with PAM®. I usually double this recipe because it's so good. Bake at 375° for about 30 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Serves 6. Serve with crackers, Wheat Thins®, Triscuits®, Pepperidge Farm® Butterfly’s work well with this. We have this as an appetizer at every holiday. It's great to bring when you have to bring something to a party, just make it in an aluminum square baking dish.

Ingredients you will need:

Kitchen tools you will need:

Spray a glass square pan or aluminum pan with PAM

Make sure your onions are thawed

Cut off a small corner of the bag of onions

Squeeze as much water out of the defrosted onions as you possible can

Add the onions to the glass dish

Add the cheese (I like to use the white shredded cheddar, 

just buy an 8 ounce bag) on top of the onions

Add the mayonnaise

Mix well

At this point you can over it with foil, and refrigerate until you are ready to bake it

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F

Place the dish in the oven

Bake until golden brown

Let cool about 10 minutes and tip the dish so you can spoon out the excess grease

Gently pat the top with a paper towel to absorb even more grease

Don't worry if it gets a little messed up, this is why you transfer it to a bowl or crock.  If you want to serve it from the dish you baked it in, that's fine too

Place it in a crock and check for grease one last time

I accidently deleted the final picture with all the grease removed...sorry!

Serve it with the crackers of your choice