yuletide dream
perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
The holiday season brings a house full of joy – and hungry guests. When your dining table is packed for the big feast, chances are your spare bedrooms are too. Suddenly you're not just planning that showstopper holiday dinner, but a parade of breakfasts and lunches too. What started as holiday cheer can quickly spiral into hosting overwhelm.
But I've discovered a lunch combination that's nothing short of magical, perfect for greeting travel-weary guests or feeding a crowd between festivities. It all started with a New York Times recipe that caught my eye: cheese dreams. These little wonders are what would happen if a grilled cheese sandwich, Welsh rarebit, and pimento cheese spread got together and created something entirely new and utterly delicious.
These cheese dreams truly live up to their whimsical name. Imagine a perfectly toasted sandwich, slathered with a savory cheese spread that's been transformed in the oven into a bubbly, golden blanket of comfort. The best part? You can prepare them a day ahead and keep them in the fridge, or even freeze them for longer storage. When hunger strikes, they're just minutes away from perfection.
But what's a dreamy sandwich without its perfect partner? Enter the simplest, most satisfying cream of tomato soup you'll ever make. This isn't your standard canned affair – it's a homemade soup that requires barely more effort than opening that can but delivers infinitely more flavor. Like its sandwich companion, this soup is make-ahead friendly. Prepare it a day or two in advance or freeze it for future comfort food emergencies.
When the doorbell chimes and familiar faces arrive at your door, you'll be ready. While they're settling in and catching up, you can transform these pre-prepped ingredients into a warm, welcoming lunch in minutes. Watch as their faces light up at the sight of golden, bubbling cheese dreams alongside steaming bowls of rich tomato soup.
The beauty of this combination lies in its delicious simplicity. This is comfort food at its finest – both for those eating it and those serving it.
Your holiday hosting just got a whole lot dreamier.
Wherever I find myself, I’m happiest with a full dining room table. As a former professional chef and caterer I want to share what I’ve learned over the past three decades of entertaining. On this site you’ll find tricks of the trade to help even the most harried of you pull off a seemingly seamless fête. Come join the conversation!