In keeping with the Cuban tradition, we celebrate Noche Buena, or Christmas Eve with our main Christmas dinner served on that evening instead of Christmas Day....but this year we didn't follow a traditional Cuban Noche Buena menu of roast pork, black beans and rice with all the wonderful sides.
Our dinner was fun and even if just for the two of us, a bit on the elegant side. We started with our salad when it was still light out and ended with dessert after dark. Afterwards we opened our gifts and had a great time!
If you click on the highlighted links it will take you to the recipe.
Our Christmas Eve Dinner Menu
The setting on our back lanai - candles from my red candle collection and the flower centerpiece of white phalaenapsis was a Christmas gift from our friend Sue.
Salad:
Our Own Garden Mixed Greens
Goat Cheese, Poha Berries (from Sue's yard) and Toasted Chopped Macadamia Nuts
Liliko'i (passion fruit) Vinaigrette
Soup: Entrée:
Roasted Red Bell Pepper Cream 
Individual Beef Wellington - With Mini Pate (on the side)
Roasted Mini Butternut Squash –With Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Giuliano's Green Beans - With Macnuts and Cream
Dessert:
Tres Leches Cake served in balloon wine glass
Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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Posted by: Juicy Couture Handbags | July 22, 2010 at 03:17 PM
Thank you for visiting and commenting, Susan! I had a lot of fun planning, preparing, taking pictures and enjoying this meal!!!
We love this soup!
Posted by: Sonia | December 29, 2006 at 08:10 AM
What a beautiful table! And, the food looks delicious! I've never seen butternut squash so small. I bet they are so sweet. I will have to try the soup. It's "soup season" here where a hot bowl of soup really "warms up my bones" as the saying goes. What a lovely Christmas dinner!
Posted by: Susan Billie Taylor | December 29, 2006 at 07:56 AM
Thank you David! It was really very, very nice.
For more info on a traditional Cuban Noche Buena feast, check out the website of the 3 Guys from Miami. You can click on several sections of the website for lots of pictures and information!
http://cuban-christmas.com
Posted by: Sonia | December 27, 2006 at 11:58 AM
Sounds like a tasty meal! The traditional Cuban meal also sounds good.
Posted by: CookingChat | December 27, 2006 at 11:38 AM
We love this soup Gretchen! I make large batches most of the time - the recipe here is for a small batch - and freeze it at the stage before adding the cream. It can be used as a sauce or by adding the cream into a cream soup. You can also add a bit of chicken broth if you don't want it so creamy and thick.
I tried roasting the peppers (and later peeleing off the charred skin) over the gas stove flame and it was ok, but not much difference in the taste.
The method in this recipe is so much easier, no charring, no peeling, no mess and no loss of flavor!
Posted by: Sonia | December 27, 2006 at 07:39 AM
Sonia, I can't wait to try the soup. I have been looking for a recipe for this and I'm sure, with your testing for me, this one will be IT!
Posted by: Gret | December 27, 2006 at 07:25 AM