Northview Blog Christmas Recipes Using Ingredients from Indiana Businesses November 23, 2020 Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus, and what better way than scrumptious recipes and menus sourced from Indiana businesses. Not only will choosing ingredients from Indiana businesses support them during the COVID-19 pandemic, but you will be delighted with the quality and variety of ingredients you find! There are hundreds of local shops to choose from throughout Central Indiana. I’ve highlighted a small sampling below. Check out each business’s website for ordering and pickup/delivery information. Let’s get started with some Christmas food ideas. Charcuterie Board You can get creative with a charcuterie board, arranging meats, cheeses, bruschetta and other breads in the shape of a Christmas Tree and serving it with a choice of cream cheese and chive or balsamic vinaigrette dips. Goose the Market has beef, pork, poultry and game from small Indiana farms, along with cheeses, fresh produce and much more. Tyner Pond Farm raises its own meats and has joined with local partners to offer items such as sweet corn, frozen green beans and cheeses. For those who need gluten-free breads, check out Farrand’s Gluten Free Patisserie. Along with a soft and chewy bread that can be used for the charcuterie board, they advertise pizza crusts, cookies and other pastries. FirePoint Creations has maple or bamboo cutting boards that can be used for charcuterie, and you can customize them with your favorite Christmas recipe, Scripture verse or other meaningful message. Soups and Stews Soups and stews made with locally sourced fresh or frozen produce will add warmth and goodness to any Christmas menu. Check out your nearest farmers market or Tuttle Orchards, along with the businesses mentioned previously, for ingredients to make winter harvest vegetable soup or lamb or beef stew. Roasted Meats and Vegetables You could also plan a menu around roasted meats and vegetables, adding roasted acorn squash halves for a sweet and delicious side. To make four servings, cut two acorn squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Place the cut side up in a large baking dish. Put a pat of butter in the squash hollow and evenly sprinkle cinnamon and brown sugar all over each half. Bake in a preheated 4000F oven until tender (about an hour). Eggnog And what would a Christmas celebration be without eggnog? Traders Point Creamery advertises organic, non-homogenized dairy products and has its own version of eggnog that is sure to please the pickiest of eggnog drinkers! Use that eggnog to make this easy Christmas eggnog pie recipe from Taste of Home: Ingredients: 2 cups eggnog 1 cup milk 1 package (4.6 ounces) cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix 1 tablespoon rum or 1/2 teaspoon rum extract 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 pastry shell (9 inches), baked Whipped topping and additional ground nutmeg, optional Directions: In a large saucepan, cook the eggnog, milk and pudding mix over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Remove from the heat and cool slightly. Stir in rum and nutmeg. Pour pudding mixture into crust. Chill until set. Garnish with whipped topping and sprinkle with nutmeg, if desired. Merry Christmas to all, and may you have a safe and healthy celebration! by Catherine Dombrow Culture Money