Snow on the Mountain Dinner Party

When I was about 10 years old, our pastor’s wife changed our Christmas dinners forever by introducing us to the Snow on the Mountain Dinner Party. I’ve heard this is a popular dinner in the Midwest; but, our home has had the awesome responsibility of continuing to introduce Snow on the Mountain to a number of Northwest families over the years. Today, I share it with you. Because I love you.

This dinner is fun and oh so easy to prepare. There are a couple of reasons I love this dinner for a crowd:

1. It also allows you the opportunity to ask each guest to bring a part of the dinner. Just place the bowls on the table and have them fill in what they were in charge of bringing.
2. This dish effortlessly  caters to those with dietary considerations, they can leave off dairy, almonds, meat, or whatever they like or need to omit.

Snow on the Mountain Dinner Party

Makes 8-10 servings.

• 5 cups rice, prepared (will serve about 8 people after cooked)

• 1 recipe Turkey Gravy Sauce (below)

• 2 pounds cheddar cheese, grated

• 1 bunch celery, diced (include leaves)

• 2 cans crushed pineapple

• 8 Roma tomatoes, diced

• 3 six-ounce cans whole black olives, chopped, or sliced

• 20 ounces green olives, sliced

• 1 pound slivered almonds

• 24 ounces chow mien noodles

• 2 bunches green onions, chopped

• 1 fourteen-ounce bag unsweetened shredded coconut

Rice

• 5 cups jasmine rice
• 10 cups water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt

Place water in a large pot and set it aside on the stovetop. Rinse rice well, drain, and then add rice and salt to the water.  Bring to a boil over high heat.

Turn heat to the lowest setting and cover with a lid. Simmer like this for 15-20 minutes.

Place in a large, pretty bowl and serve.

Turkey Gravy Sauce

• 3-4 pounds turkey hindquarters, drumsticks, and/or loin (can substitute for chicken if preferred)
•  1/2 cup olive oil 
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup flour
• 8 cups turkey broth from boiled turkey
• 6 tablespoons chicken-flavored bouillon or Better Than Bouillon
• Salt
• Freshly ground pepper

Place the turkey into a large pot of water. Add a little sea salt to the water. Bring to a boil and simmer until turkey is fully cooked (at least 165°F in the thickest part). Remove all turkey and bones from broth and place them on a large plate to cool.

In another large pot, melt butter & olive oil over medium heat. 

Sprinkle with flour. Whisk and cook for a few minutes. This is called a roux. It won’t be pretty, it will look scruffy even but it will make an incredible gravy.

After flour is cooked, add broth and continue to whisk. As the gravy comes to a boil, check the thickness and add more broth if needed.

Stir in Better Than Bouillon and continue to season to your liking with salt, and pepper. If needed, you can add a small amount of bouillon at a time until the flavor is to your liking.

Remove turkey from bones and cut or shred into bite-size pieces. Add all turkey back into the sauce. If using turkey drumsticks, be extra careful to remove every bone.

Place hot turkey sauce into a large dish with a serving ladle.

Sauce can be made the day before and reheated before your gathering.

Now for the fun part! Setting the table. Here, I will show you. Let’s walk around the table together. Poems are listed after all the photos so you can make your own cards to display.

Rice.

Turkey gravy sauce.

Cheddar cheese.

Celery.

Pineapple.

Tomatoes.

Black & green olives.

Almonds.

Chow mein noodles.

Green onions.

Crispy onions.

And finally, coconut.

The best part might be listening to everyone make fun of the corny poems & cringe at the idea of trying pineapple with turkey gravy. For me, the best part is remembering my childhood pastor, Pastor Brustad and his sweet wife Doris, and how welcome she made everyone in her home feel. I do miss both of them so.

My sled is a treasure. I use it every Christmas & set it against a wall for decor during the winter. It’s too rickety for real use but works wonderfully for festive decor and dinner displays.

Here are the poems we use at our house. Hopefully, they will help you make a special set of your own.

Rice

Pick a plate and don’t think twice.

Pile up your mountain of rice!

Turkey Gravy

If you miss this, it will be a loss.

So, good gravy, don’t forget the sauce!

Cheese

These cheesy poems won’t melt your heart.

But cheddar on top is a good start.

Almonds

Slivered almonds might be a bit nuts.

But you gotta try ’em – no ifs, ands, or buts.

Green Onions

Slender and green, onions add flavor.

Making tonight a memory to savor.

Tomatoes

Fruit or veggies? It doesn’t matter.

Tomatoes are healthy & won’t make you fatter.

Black & Green Olives

Black & green, salty & small.

Olives are delicious for one & all!

Celery

Celery is so fresh and hearty.

The perfect addition to our little party!

Chow Mien Noodles

Chow Mien noodles add the crunch.

So be sure to add a bunch.

Crispy Onions

Onions are fine but can be a little wispy.

Let’s make sure we add some that are deep fried and crispy.

Pineapple

Pineapple is so juicy & sweet.

Go Hawaiian for a nice little treat.

Coconut

Your snow on the mountain is almost complete.

Sprinkle the coconut and let’s go eat!