Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Cheap Holiday Family Fun: A Christmas Story Dinner!

There's something that feels like home when I watch the movie, A Christmas Story.  Every year, when TBS is running their "24 Hours of A Christmas Story,"  you can bet it will be on in my house for the entire marathon!  It's the best!

A Christmas Story
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There is one particular scene of the movie that I love - The Dinner Scene.  It's where the entire family is sitting down for a meal of Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes & Red Cabbage.  Ralphie learns that his mother's got his back & Randy shows us "how the little piggies eat!"

Randy Little Piggies A Christmas Story
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This year, I thought it would be fun to have an "A Christmas Story" themed dinner featuring the same meal that the Parker Family enjoyed just before they receive "a major award!"     


Yes, I even have the infamous Leg Lamp!

You've already got my recipe for Stuffed Mushroom Meatloaf, and I have to confess that I use instant Mashed Potatoes (I just like them), but what about a good recipe for Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage?

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My Mom's been making Red Cabbage for us for years, so since she's up visiting for the Holidays, I asked her to do the honors!  

Ingredients:
1 Large Red Cabbage
1 Stick Butter
1/2 Cup Water
1/2 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 Cup Packed Brown Sugar

Shred the entire cabbage as such:


In a big pot, melt the butter.  



Add the cabbage, vinegar & sugar and cook, cook, cook!  Over medium heat, it will take at least an hour to get the cabbage to cook down to a nice, tender consistency.  Add salt & pepper to taste, if you like!


Serve it up with your mashed potatoes, gravy and meatloaf for a satisfying winter meal!  "But," you might ask, "will the kids eat that red cabbage, or will I have to trick them into eating it like the little piggies eat?"


Well, in my house, my son ate TWO large helpings of red cabbage, no mashed potatoes and a small piece of meatloaf - go figure!  

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The Fake-It Yourself Breakdown:

Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage (Cabbage $5.00, Butter $0.50,Vinegar $0.25, Sugar, $0.25) Serves 10 people.

Total Fake-It Cost:  $6.00, or $0.60 Per Person





10 comments:

  1. I LOVE this! My sister and I are such huge fans of A Christmas Story. I really think this would be a ton of fun. And I LOVE cabbage, so I'm really loving the recipe. Great idea!

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  2. That is a great idea to keep the Christmas activties coming! My kids will love this.

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  3. This is such a fun idea! I would love for you to share this post at my "Best of 2011" link party, along with any other posts you are most proud of from this year. www.petalstopicots.com
    ~Kara

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  4. I am glad I'm not the only "Leg Lamp" junkie! I think this will be a great meal this week, since it is easy and doesn't require me to be in the kitchen for hours (sick of looking at my kitchen after days of baking and cooking). Thanks for sharing!

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  5. This is so funny! I haven't watched the whole movie in years, but did catch glimpses of it on TBS on Christmas. Fun! Is that REALLY a leg lamp????

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  6. haha, love it! have to remember this for next year :)

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  7. What a cute idea! I saw some cute "Christmas Story" party stuff at Walgreens and thought what a fun party theme that would be! Love this fun dinner idea, we may have to do this next year.
    I would love it if you would share this at my It's a Celebration link party!
    Christina
    http://www.inspirationforcelebration.com/2011/12/its-celebration-link-party-december.html

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  8. Congrats on being one of my top most clicked item in my Mommy Solutions link up last week. Such an adorable project! http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2011/12/the-mommy-club-share-your-resources-and-solutions-24/

    Have a super week, Crystal

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  9. we eat red cabbage all the time but the only recipe i have used a pressure cooker, and was a disaster(37 years ago) so i always bought it, I think i'll try this.

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Compliments and Frugal Tips Only, Please!

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