FOOD Christmas Dinner...

Seabird

Veteran Member
Just Curious what everyone is planning for Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Dinner. You all have great menu ideas and I am looking for new things.
 

Pebbles

Veteran Member
I am looking for something new also. I usually am always very traditional for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I still have plenty of turkey, prime rib and ham. I want something different. My only idea so far is enchiladas and DH added tamales :-)
 

mzkitty

I give up.
Hmmm........ I have never done like turkey and/or ham for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Usually I would pounce on small tenderloin steaks when Wegmans had them on sale, and then stick them in the freezer for Christmas. Always had them with thick sliced fried onions. Baked potato, salad, dessert, you're done. Thanksgiving was pork chops and stuffing, etc. And of course pumpkin pie with whipped cream.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Traditional ham, southern peas, potato salad, rolls, and a homemade butter pecan cake is what I will be making for our Christmas meal. What other family members are planning to bring is unknown at this time. They all bring whatever they want to add to everything I make. We always have a feast with lots of leftovers.
 

Blacknarwhal

Let's Go Brandon!
Ham, mashed potatoes, possibly stuffing. Some sort of vegetable. Pecan pie is also said to be in the offing, along with a vast array of Christmas cookies.

Christmas Eve will feature a traditional vegetable soup that we've been having for years.
 

Red Baron

Paleo-Conservative
_______________
I just bought a 8.25 pound bonelss prime rib, that along with mashed potatoes. corn, green beans Etc, etc,

Yup, that is what we finally did after many, many years of hams and turkeys.

Beef prime rib is very easy to make and really makes a statement. Especially when the snooty in-laws are over. I serve it with parmesan asparagus, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Not a lot of prep or cleanup.

For starters, I like a cold shrimp platter and herring in wine sauce. Add some crackers and shots of Russian vodka from the freezer.

Da Komrade!
 

mzkitty

I give up.
I had a work friend who used to make these -- they are delicious. I looked through quite a few recipes for it, and this one seems the closest to hers, except she used Cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella, but do what you like. They won't last long, I guarantee it. Some commenters said use a bit more salt, some said use a little nutmeg too, some said grate the cheese yourself, don't used packaged. The poster used the Parmesan on top so it browns up like the picture. See comments at link below.

:)

Spinach "Brownies"

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dioptase

Veteran Member
Normally we would be having lamb on Christmas (as DH refuses to cook a turkey more than once a year), though I don't know what DH plans for this year. (We used to be able to get Australian or New Zealand lamb which was the best, but our favorite grocery store decided to close shop a few years ago, and now we're stuck with American lamb, which DH disses.)

We never made too much of a big deal of New Year's day meals, though when I was a kid, my dad always insisted on ham. (Too bad that at that age, I didn't really appreciate ham!)

So I guess I'm looking for holiday ideas here too! Also ideas for an EASY to make (but not strictly cake mix) birthday cake, as we have a birthday coming up.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We stopped doing the meals years ago. Got tired of turkey, ham and fixins. We went to little ham sandwiches, spinach dip, wings, potato salad, cheeses and olives chips and dips, cheesecake etc. We graze all day and its not a lot of work.

After having turkey for Thanksgiving and ham for Christmas, we have what I call "finger foods" like what you mentioned for New Year's Day. Family gets together, and graze all day. Everyone brings their favorites.
 

Homestyle

Veteran Member
I am cooking Christmas night supper. Just husband and me, the kids and grands. Baked Petit Jean Ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrot souffle, asparagus, and pineapple. Pumpkin pie, peach and cherry cobblers for dessert.
Carrot Souffle is a family favorite


Carrot Souffle

2 pounds carrots, chopped
1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 - 1/2 white sugar depending on taste
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs, beaten


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add carrots and cook until tender.
Drain and mash.
To the carrots add melted butter, white sugar, flour, baking powder, vanilla extract and eggs.
Mix well and transfer to a 2 quart casserole dish.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Note: I use an immersion blender to make the carrots smooth like whipped potatoes after boiling. Could use regular blender. We like the smooth texture better then mashed.
 

Seabird

Veteran Member
I had a work friend who used to make these -- they are delicious. I looked through quite a few recipes for it, and this one seems the closest to hers, except she used Cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella, but do what you like. They won't last long, I guarantee it. Some commenters said use a bit more salt, some said use a little nutmeg too, some said grate the cheese yourself, don't used packaged. The poster used the Parmesan on top so it browns up like the picture. See comments at link below.

:)

Spinach "Brownies"

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View attachment 238621


Oh, MzKitty, they look great. Thanks for the recipe.
 

Sacajawea

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Christmas is always an ad hoc affair here. Some years, I'll make lamb & greek or middle eastern sides. This year, the spiral hame isn't going to be labor intensive - add a loaf of sourdough and good mustard & cheeses... and I think we'll eat well. The baking on the other hand - has gotten quite out of control. Pralines, Alaska Molasses cookies, biscotti, coconut choco-dipped macaroons... dark chocolate sea salt caramels... pralines...
 

moldy

Veteran Member
Traditional ham, southern peas, potato salad, rolls, and a homemade butter pecan cake is what I will be making for our Christmas meal. What other family members are planning to bring is unknown at this time. They all bring whatever they want to add to everything I make. We always have a feast with lots of leftovers.

That sounds delicious! I have to work Christmas eve and day, so I'm not sure when we'll have our holiday meal. I usually do prime rib with potatoes, asparagus or green beans. If it is just DH and I, I'll probably make creme brulee in the instapot for dessert.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
That sounds delicious! I have to work Christmas eve and day, so I'm not sure when we'll have our holiday meal. I usually do prime rib with potatoes, asparagus or green beans. If it is just DH and I, I'll probably make creme brulee in the instapot for dessert.

Usually our DIL has to work on Christmas Eve, but not this year. She will have all day Christmas Eve to prepare for our meal Christmas Day. I can hardly wait to see what all her and her mother bring to the table! She is a fantastic cook, so whatever additions they bring will be good for sure. None of us do anything special on Christmas Eve, except to prepare some of the foods for the next day. We don't have any "little ones" in our family.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
I don't know, either. I would like one (maybe two) pieces of prime rib. I certainly don't want to cook a whole rib roast. I'll keep thinking about it. "Holiday" Beef stew (made with a hearty gravy with a wine base) is appealing because I can get several meals from it, and not having to cook, just reheat, on the day is cool, too.
 

Ragnarok

On and On, South of Heaven
Stopped by Publix, yesterday and the Prime Rib was on sale for $5.99/lb...

Got a 5.5 lb slab soaking in Sauerbraten marinade, right now... Should be ready to slow cook for about 10 hours right around Wednesday, or so.
 

Josie

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Always have "roast beast" for Christmas. I've been on a beef tenderloin kick for the last few years. So, I'm looking to repeat that along with burgundy mushrooms, roasted brussel sprouts with bacon, baked potatoes and rolls. I'm thinking an ice cream cake for dessert but we will see how ambitious I am feeling.

Since it most likely will only be hubby and me for Christmas Eve, I was thinking some kind of fish in the tradition of the Italians.

New Years will be ham, coleslaw, black eyed peas and hash brown casserole.
 

Keric4

Contributing Member
Penne Ala Vodka and Steamed Clams for Christmas Eve. Christmas Day, depending on the weather, we hope to go to my parents and hang out in the back yard and do Pot Luck. (usually brunch)
 

IRoberge

Veteran Member
I like the sound of steak and lobster tail for Christmas Eve. Thanks for the idea!! I have some rib steaks in the freezer and will have dh grab a couple tails when he gets the shrimp and scallops from our seafood lady. Christmas Day will be an assortment of appetizers and a crockpot of soup with crusty bread. Gift opening will be done via zoom call with our son and DIL who are in MA and our youngest and his girlfriend here. Oldest son is currently quarantining until his test comes back mid week, and since he works at many different locations in Boston he doesn't want to risk exposing us.
 

Red Baron

Paleo-Conservative
_______________
We had Beef Wellington for Thanksgiving, and I heard Salmon was the feature for Christmas! I love non-traditional meals, especially when I don't have to cook!

If you like salmon, consider thick (1"+) tuna steaks around 6 ounces+ each. Marinade in a little soy sauce and toasted sesame oil. Garnish with whole toasted sesame seeds after cooking.

Seared to medium-rare on the grill or inside on a fry pan works great. Cook about four to five minutes a side max.

It will totally change what you think about cooked fish.

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Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Since it will be only the DGS, DW and DM, it will be baked ham, maybe spinach brownies for the recipe sounds great, mashed potatoes, dressing, green bean casserole, pecan pie, pumpkin pie and brownies with pecans or almonds.

The DS and DIL and DGD will be here for New Year's and it will be prime rib with the fixins including black eyed peas.

And the most important -- family to share with.

Texican....
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
It all sounds good! I wonder if I could find any fresh tuna in Iowa in December. That's usually more available around Lent.
 

llknp

Senior Member
The wife and I will be staying here for Christmas (damned Covid). We have settled on a spinach, ham and swiss cheese quiche and a tossed salad. She said she has a surprise for dessert. We will snack our way through the rest of the day.
 

Red Baron

Paleo-Conservative
_______________
It all sounds good! I wonder if I could find any fresh tuna in Iowa in December. That's usually more available around Lent.

I always get my tuna steaks frozen.

I read somewhere that supposedly "fresh" fish is almost always just defrosted before it is put out for sale. Especially here in Midwest. I doubt many groceries here in the hinterland pay to have fish air-freighted in to their doorstep.

Thus, I would rather my fish is kept frozen rather than being defrosted for an unknown period of time.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
I doubt many groceries here in the hinterland pay to have fish air-freighted in to their doorstep.

During Lent, several of the "gourmet" groceries sell a "jet fresh" catch. Given the prices, I wouldn't doubt it. Did you know Iowa has a shrimp farm? More fish farms are said to be going in soon.

 

briches

Veteran Member
I’m thinking about lasagna (after reading about it on a post here), Chinese takeout or something with oysters (from our floats) ....
 

Maryh

Veteran Member
We won't be with family because of the stupid virus. I froze half of the Thanksgiving turkey breast and a pan of sweet potato casserole along with that will be mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, salad, apple pie and the frozen bread you bake. Usually we have a sausage/cheese casserole for breakfast but don't know if I'll bother. New Years will be ham. I will so miss the grandkids opening their presents, zoom isn't the same! We're old so how many Christmases we have left only God knows! I think that's what upsets me with this virus! Anyway, we won't go hungry!!
 

mudwrench

Senior Member
I had a work friend who used to make these -- they are delicious. I looked through quite a few recipes for it, and this one seems the closest to hers, except she used Cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella, but do what you like. They won't last long, I guarantee it. Some commenters said use a bit more salt, some said use a little nutmeg too, some said grate the cheese yourself, don't used packaged. The poster used the Parmesan on top so it browns up like the picture. See comments at link below.

:)

Spinach "Brownies"

View attachment 238620

View attachment 238621

my greek wife made this almost exactly the same but she used feta cheese very good
 

Jeff B.

Don’t let the Piss Ants get you down…
Christmas Eve will be the “traditional” meal the kids set on when I cooked it one time when they were young and DW was upstairs deathly ill with the flu.

A bone in prime on the smoker
Twice baked potatoes
String beans sautéed in onions and garlic with bacon
Broccoli and cauliflower with a cheese sauce
Cheesecake with raspberry sauce and a
Cranberry Tart for dessert.

Still pondering Christmas, although it may end up being something light...

It depends on what the plans for New Years work up to be.

We do a bone in rib roast because we LOVE to use the bones to make a hearty beef soup with them.

Jeff B.
 

Lonestar

Contributing Member
We (me, daughter, and son in law) do Christmas on Christmas eve. We pick up an extra large family dinner of BBQ, Ham and all the fixin's from our favorite BBQ place. After all the heavy cooking for Thanksgiving we don't want to do it again.

We have our Christmas eve and open presents then, right after we eat and clean up. There is plenty of leftovers for Christmas day , they usually go to his Mothers for the day or if staying home we have plenty to munch on.

We do make homemade desserts, must have that.
 

et2

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Just Curious what everyone is planning for Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Dinner. You all have great menu ideas and I am looking for new things.

Costco spiral sliced hams were on sale today ... $ 8 off. Bought two. So ham, scalloped potatoes and salad. Peach pie.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Something simple, not sure just what, but we had ribs on Thanksgiving, so it won't be that. I haven't mad tuna casserole in awhile so it might be that. Who knows. Maybe even pizza. I do have to make DH a strawberry rhubarb pie though, I didn't at Thanksgiving.

God is good all the time

Judy
 
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