If you are trying to decide on what to cook for the holidays here are some ideas. 

If you are sick of having turkey there are always other alternatives.  There are also alternative recipes for those who are vegetarians. (All of the following recipes are from the Food Net work)

If you are wondering here is a recipe that I found from the food net work and hope that this recipe will be great for those who are sick of turkey or would like to have something either than turkey.

 Crown Roast of Lamb

Ingredients

• 2 racks lamb, 6 to 8 ribs each, approximately 1 1/2 to 2-pounds each
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

To french the racks of lamb:

Make a cut on the fat side of the ribs, perpendicular to them, about 2 1/2-inches down from the rib ends. Cut through the fat down to the rib bones.

Turn the rack on end, with the bones facing up and push a knife through the flesh between each rib, using the initial cut as a guide for the knife. Cut down the side of each rib to remove the excess fat in between each rib. Using strong kitchen twine, wrap the twine around each rib at the base, nearest the meat and pull to remove all of the remaining fat and sinew from the rib bone.

Bend each rack into a semicircle (meat side in and fat side out) and using kitchen twine tie them together at the base and center, in order to hold the racks together. The rib ends should be pushed outward to create the look of a crown.

Rub the lamb with the olive oil. Combine the salt, pepper, garlic, thyme and coriander and press all over the lamb. Place the roast in a Bundt pan with the center of the pan coming up through the middle of the roast.

Place on the middle rack of the oven and cook for 30 to 35 minutes, until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 130 degrees F. This is approximately 8 to 12 minutes per pound. Remove from the oven, transfer the roast to a rack, cover with aluminum foil and let the meat rest for 20 minutes. While the meat is resting add the sherry vinegar, mustard and rosemary to the juices that accumulated in the Bundt pan while cooking. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning, as needed. Cut the string away from the roast and place cooked stuffing, rice or barley in the center if desired. Serve the warm sauce with the roast.

Now if this recipe is something you are not looking for that you should try a vegetarian alternative.  For those who are vegetarians there are many recipes all over the food net work.   Not only are there recipes for the holidays but there are some for off the holidays.  But I would like to give you a recipe that I found that sounded good.

Butternut Squash Lasagna

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (1 1/2 to 2-pound) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 amaretti cookies, crumbled
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 cups whole milk
• Pinch nutmeg
• 3/4 cup (lightly packed) fresh basil leaves
• 12 no-boil lasagna noodles
• 2 1/2 cups shredded whole-milk mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan

Directions

Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the squash and toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour the water into the skillet and then cover and simmer over medium heat until the squash is tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Cool slightly and then transfer the squash to a food processor. Add the amaretti cookies and blend until smooth. Season the squash puree, to taste, with more salt and pepper.

Melt the butter in a heavy medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, whisking often, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the nutmeg. Cool slightly. Transfer half of the sauce to a blender*. Add the basil and blend until smooth. Return the basil sauce to the sauce in the pan and stir to blend. Season the sauce with salt and pepper, to taste.

Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F.

Lightly butter a 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish. Spread 3/4 cup of the sauce over the prepared baking dish. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles on the bottom of the pan. Spread 1/3 of the squash puree over the noodles. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Drizzle 1/2 cup of sauce over the noodles. Repeat layering 3 more times.

Tightly cover the baking dish with foil and bake the lasagna for 40 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the lasagna. Continue baking uncovered until the sauce bubbles and the top is golden, 15 minutes longer. Let the lasagna stand for 15 minutes before serving.

*When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth

Not only do I love to have great main courses, but I love to have good drinks to go along.  For me I just like the classic Hot Chocolate but I have found a great recipe for hot chocolate.

Chocolate-y Christmas Cafe au Lait

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 2/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 2 ( 2-inch) cinnamon sticks
• 1 strip orange peel, about 1/2 inch by 3 inches
• 10 whole cloves
• 2 to 2 1/2 cups hot brewed strong coffee
• 1/4 cup cold heavy cream
• Ground cinnamon, for garnish
• Cocoa, for garnish

Directions

In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, 2/3 cup of the sugar, and cocoa until smooth. Add the cinnamon sticks, orange peel and cloves and bring to a simmer, stirring, to dissolve the sugar and prevent the cocoa from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat, cover, and let steep for 10 minutes.

In a medium bowl, whip the cream with the remaining 1 teaspoon sugar until thick and frothy, and peaks form. Set aside.

Strain the milk mixture into a coffee pot or carafe and add 2 cups of the hot coffee (2 1/2 cups for stronger coffee flavor, to taste). Pour into cups or small mugs and top each with a dollop of the sweetened whipped cream.

Serve immediately.

 The holidays is also a time to give or make cookies.  Personally I enjoy pepperming and I have found a great recipe for a desserts with peppermint on the Food Net Work and hope to bake them myself.  What makes this recipe great is that it combines all of my favourite aspects of what makes a great dessert into one easy recipe.

White Peppermint Snowballs

Ingredients

• 1 package (18-ounce) refrigerated sugar cookie dough, room temperature (recommended: Pillsbury)
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (recommended: McCormick)
• 1/3 cup crushed peppermint candies, plus more for garnishing
• 1 cup powdered sugar, divided

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut the cookie dough into 8 pieces. In bowl of electric mixer, on medium speed thoroughly combine the dough pieces, peppermint extract, 1/3 cup crushed peppermint candies, and 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar.

Roll the dough into 1-inch diameter balls. Arrange, 2 inches apart, on parchment lined cookie sheets and bake until set, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on cooling racks.

Add 1/2 cup of the remaining powdered sugar to a small bowl. While the cookies are still warm, roll them in the sugar. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies and serve.

As the cookies cool, they will flatten slightly.

Variation: Peppermint Candy Cane Twists

• 1 package (18-ounce) refrigerated sugar cookie dough, room temperature (recommended: Pillsbury)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (recommended: McCormick)
• 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Cut the roll of cookie dough in half. Put the halves in separate large mixing bowls. In 1 bowl, thoroughly mix 1/4 cup of the flour and the peppermint extract into cookie dough. In the second bowl, add the remaining 1/4 cup flour and enough food coloring to make a red dough. Mix well with gloved hands until the color is well blended.

Divide the white and red dough into 24 pieces each, (for a total of 48 pieces). Roll each piece into a rope 8 inches long and about 1/4-inch in diameter.

To shape candy canes, arrange 1 rope of each color side by side on parchment lined cookie sheets. Gently twist together and shape into a candy cane. Repeat with the remaining pieces, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake until edges are very lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest, about 5 minutes, before transferring the cookies to racks. Gently remove them from the cookie sheets with a long metal spatula and cool on cooling racks.

Yield: 24 cookies

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes per batch

Ease of preparation: easy