So far in this little “mini-series” we’ve explored great (and not-so-great) sounds of Christmas, the scents of Christmas, and the sights of Christmas. Today it’s time to taste Christmas. This time of year has flavors to savor unlike any other.

It’s the season to ease up a little on diet plans and weight loss strategies. Save those for New Year’s Day. For now, enjoy (in moderation, of course!) the tastes that make this season one of the more palatable times of the year.

When I think of Christmas consumables, these are the ten that first come to mind:

1. Spritz Cookies (here’s the recipe). Almond, vanilla, buttery, goodness. My mom has made these as long as I can remember. I now make them every Christmastime, in the shapes of Christmas trees and wreaths.
2. Chai Latte. Non-fat, please.
3. Sour Cream Cinnamon Coffee Cake (here’s a recipe). It’s our tradition to make it each Christmas Eve Day, and consume it Christmas morning while opening gifts.
4. Christmas Eve salad with raspberries, walnuts, goat cheese, and raspberry vinaigrette. Delicious.
5. Grilled Pork Tenderloin, rubbed with herbs and brown mustard, stuffed with mushrooms. One Christmas Eve it was 7 degrees, and I cooked it outside on the grill. It was well worth it.
6. Brussels Sprouts. Yep, one of our family’s favorites. Make them like this, and I dare you not to enjoy them: Cut off the bottoms; throw them in a bowl; coat them with olive oil and balsamic vinegar; salt them; roast them for half an hour at 425°.
7. Peppermint. It really isn’t my favorite, and I might eat half a candy cane every holiday season, but I can’t help but think about Christmas when I taste it.
8. Chex Party Mix. It’s not really a Christmas item, but it’s something I like to make around the holidays (and, don’t tell Chex, but I usually make it with Crispix instead). I love to have it around to snack on….and snack on…and snack on…
9. Frango Mints. Although Marshall Fields no longer exists, these do. Chocolatey, minty, goodness.
10. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups wrapped in Christmas-colored foil. Billie the Brownie comes to our house every Christmastime and hides these all over the place.

Christmas just tastes good, doesn’t it? 

What tastes like Christmas to you? What would you add to the list?