Pre-Christmas Hot Dogs, Baked Beans and Cole Slaw

If it were not for this lovely chocolate Christmas tree cake with peppermint icing, one may not even know we are only a week away from Christmas day, based on Nan's choice of dinner fare last evening.  While others may be dining on a pre-holiday meal choc full of flavors of the season such as a smokey glazed ham or a prime rib of beef or even roast turkey, but not at Nan's. She chose to take a culinary departure from the norm and served up a fun (and delicious) way to kick off a week of non stop eating!

Creamy Cool Coleslaw

1 package shredded cabbage
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Combine mayonnaise, cider vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper in a small mixing bowl and incorporate into shredded cabbage. Refrigerate for several hours before serving.

Smoky Hot and Sweet Baked Beans
1 can vegetarian baked beans
2 slices thick peppered and smoked bacon, cut into 1/4 inches pieces
1/4 cup red onions, small dice
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons chipotle puree
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
salt
pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bean pot or sauce pan, slowly heat bacon to render fat until crispy. Add onions and cook until transparent. Add garlic and saute just a minute or until fragrant and remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and remove from heat. Place in the oven and cook for approximately 30 minutes or until bubbly. Let sit a few minutes before serving.