It's the most wonderful time of the year. Merry Christmas, everybody! Hopefully you're snuggling by the fireplace with close friends and family, recalling hilarious moments or the best highlights of your year. Of course, as you're sitting treeside, you'll need a smorgasbord of merry-making foods to keep the festivities going. Check out some of our Christmas favorites.

Roasted Chestnuts	Roast Duck	Fruitcake
Bûche de Noël	Hot Buttered Rum	Gingerbread Cookies

During the holidays, it's always fun to have elaborate dinners with multiple courses to celebrate the season and spend even more time around the table with your loved ones. Tease everyone's palate before the big meal with one of my family's traditions: cream of mushroom soup. You can make this recipe pretty inexpensively by sticking to button mushrooms, but if you're in the mood to go all out, pick up different varieties. I opted to use mostly button mushrooms but also added chanterelles for more complexity.
The holiday meals can always be stressful getting everything ready, but this soup can be made a couple days in advance and easily reheated on the stove just before serving. If you decide to bring the soup to the table, be sure to heat up your soup terrine in hot water to keep the soup piping hot. Keep the garnish really simple with a little parsley, chives, a slice or two of sautéed mushrooms, and a drizzle of truffle oil.

Don't skip the soup course this holiday season and keep reading for the recipe.