Christmas dinner ideas?

Question

I have decided to do Christmas dinner at home this year and have my family coming over, there will be 10 of us in total.

I need some ideas though please for starters as I was thinking prawn cocktail and soup (as me and mum don't like prawns) and then obviously the traditional turkey and all trimmings.

For desert I'm thinking of making a white chocolate torte with a raspberry sauce and then a cheese board to follow.

I would appreciate any advice on any of this menu please. And don't worry I have an 8 ring stove lol

Thanks

Answer 1

Since we just had a HUGE turkey less than a month before, we usually do a different meat at Christmas.  We're also trying (not always successfully) to cut down on fats, sodium, cholesterol, plus we have a vegetarian amongst us.  We always have one fish/seafood ('cause dad and I LOVE fish).  We've had goose and duck and ham and various roasts but my favorite has always been prime rib.  Wild rice w/brown rice as a side (a nice pilaf with fruit'n'nuts is real good) or roast potatoes, fruit salad, green salad, lots of veggies.  Pies and cookies for dessert for those who partake.

Answer 2

I would love your receipie for your deesert it sounds deliocious.....I am form a traditional english back ground and we when my Mum was still with us (God rest her soul) we had a standing rib roast with yorkshire pudding and plum pudding with hard sauce for desert. I see how you do not like prawns why not do mini crab cakes and a she crab soup? I think it's great that you are thinking this far in advance I love the Holidays, they seem lonley to me now but I do have great memories.

Answer 3

I think a nice winter soup would be lovely something like swede, parsnips, carrots, leeks and potato's.

What trimmings are you doing? In my family we have: Creamy leeks, sprouts with chestnuts, yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, roast carrots and roast parsnips, and broccoli and cauliflower.

We're normally too stuffed for dessert but there's normally xmas pud, mince pies with cream, Cinnamon & ginger cookies. You could make an apple pie with cloves and Cinnamon in it to make it more Christmas's

Hope this helps and you and your family have a wonderful christmas!

Lulabelle x*x

Answer 4

.we have prawn cocktail too,though my daughter n mother in law don,t like prawns either so my daughter has toast n pate,my mother in law has melon,,simple n easy...i do several meats including turkey ,gammon which i cook night before though i put turkey in to cook over night too,then perhaps a small piece of beef that i put in early...as we get up at 5am...we like to eat our dinner bout 1.30...so we can get cleared and have plenty of time to play with the kids

Answer 5

you sound well organised, and dont need too much advice, the only advice i would give, if thats ok?, would be to change your starter,especially as you and your mum dont like prawns. why dont you make a starter of melon with parma ham, and melon with prawns for the fish eaters, it would be less work and much lighter, so you can leave plenty room for that fantastic sounding pudding. Merry Christmas x LOL

Answer 6

why r u thinking about christmas dinner when it is August!?

Answer 7

Have very light starters - Xmas dinner is quite heavy.

DO as much in advance as possible. You can freeze roast potatoes, cooked carrots, stuffing etc. Just take them out on the morning and put them in the oven.

Answer 8

It is the perfect time to start thinking about all this... anyone with children knows how hectic the thanksgiving/Christmas season is!

Personally, I would avoid the prawns. They are more work than they are worth when in the context of a turkey dinner. I would go with a nice soup for all of your guests and some finger foods, like nuts, fruits or bread. Then do your turkey dinner. The dessert and cheese board is right on! I suggest having a back up pie from the supermarket or home made in case someone does not like your dessert... cant go wrong with apple pie!

Answer 9

sounds lovely, can I come??

Answer 10

Can't wait for christmas, we love that time of year and I'm just like you, plan these type of things out a couple of months before, my husband thinks I#m crazy lol!!!! I cook the xmas dinner every year, maybe some of my ideas will help you out! Prawn cocktail is a fab idea for those who like it otherwise any type of clear soup (not as filling as most others) Like chicken, vegetable or leek! Main course we always have a very large turkey plus a small joint of beef and pork! I stuff my turkey with prunes, apples, oranges, onions and carrots, the turkey then isn't so dry!! With all the meat, we have various sides, mash with fried onions mixed inside, roasties, croquettes, Yorkshire pudding, cauliflower and broccoli cheese, red cabbage, sprouts, carrots..... I usually do 3 types of gravy, one for each meat! Dessert, there are so many different things you could do, like a trifle, sorbet, like you said a chocolate xmas cake, wine mouse or any other mouse for that matter! Anyway, hope i was able to help a little... Happy planning and all the best :)

Answer 11

long time no see you, Christmas dinner, have I missed a few months or something? am laughing here sorry as can barely cope with getting all my sons books and uniform for back to school, please Christmas it is August hon. good to see you again, it all sounds lovely what you are going to cook.  Think you have it all under control :))

sorry hon hope didn't upset you, didn't know about your baby x

Thank you, a cauliflower& leek  veg crumble is delicious also, done in a white sauce as can be prepared earlier save you so much to do that morning.  Also you could just make a nice fruit flan with seasonal fruits and have it ready a day before also.  Try and have most food prepared and ready as saves the stress on the day. making me hungry now :))

Answer 12

Serve a Turduckin:  Its a boned out chicken with dressing inside a boned out duck with dressing inside a turkey. Its no joke just google it and you will see.

Answer 13

what about x-mas pud but waw that sounds good carrot and coriander soup would be nice xx

Answer 14

Nothing wrong with planning ahead!  The holidays will be here before we know it.  Sounds like the words "make ahead" would come in very handy in your menu planning.   Here are a couple of ideas.

Appetizer/Starters

Cranberry Salsa Dip with Cream Cheese  

1 (12-ounce bag) or 3 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup minced green onions

2 small (approximately 2 tablespoons) jalapeno peppers, cored, seeded and minced

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, minced

2 tablespoons finely grated fresh ginger

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese

Cranberries and/or cilantro sprigs for garnish

Rinse, drain, and pick over cranberries, (discarding all that are soft or bruised). Place them in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped but not mushy.

Place crushed cranberries in a bowl; mix together with onions, jalapeno peppers, sugar, cilantro leaves, ginger, and lemon juice. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours so flavors develop (salsa will be too sharp and tart to begin with).

On a serving plate, place cream cheese; cover with the dip. Garnish, if desired, and served with crackers.

Oops, this is in the wrong order, but what a great help in planning your cheese board..

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Appetizer...

Starters con't

Prosciutto and Gruyere Pastry Pinwheels

1 sheet frozen puff pastry (half of 17.3-ounce package), thawed

4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or sage

3/4 cup (packed) finely grated Gruyère cheese (about 2 1/2 ounces)*

1 egg, beaten to blend

*Parmesan cheese may be substituted.

Place puff pastry sheet on work surface. Cut in half, forming two 9 1/2x4 3/4-inch rectangles.

Arrange half of prosciutto on one (1) rectangle, leaving 1/2-inch border along one side. Sprinkle prosciutto with 1/2 of the fresh basil or sage, then top with 1/2 of Gruyere cheese. Brush plain border with egg glaze. Starting at long side opposite border, roll up pastry jelly-roll style, pressing gently to seal long edges. Wrap in plastic paper.

Repeat with remaining pastry, prosciutto, basil or sage, cheese, and egg to form second log. Refrigerate pastry logs, seam sides down, until firm, at least 3 hours and up to 2 days.

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 400°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut logs crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Arrange rounds on prepared sheets, spacing 1-inch apart. Bake one sheet at a time until pastries are golden brown, about 16 minutes. Remove from oven using a metal spatula, transfer pastries to racks, and cool slightly. Serve warm.

Makes approximately 30 pinwheels.

And last but not least..

Goat Cheese Torta

2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature

8 ounces goat cheese, room temperature

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano or 1 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup prepared pesto

1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in olive oil)

1 to 2 tablespoons toasted slivered almonds

Fresh oregano or parsley sprig

Stone-ground wheat cracker or thinly sliced baguette bread

Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan, soufflé pan, decorative gelatin mold, or 9-inch springform pan with clear plastic wrap.

In a food processor or a large bowl, combine cream cheese, goat cheese, garlic, oregano, and pepper; stir until well blended.

Spread 1/3 of the cheese mixture onto the bottom of prepared pan. Top with pesto, spreading evenly. Layer with another 1/3 of the cheese mixture.

Drain sun-dried tomatoes, reserving one tomato for garnish. Cut remaining sun-dried tomatoes into small pieces; spread evenly over cheese mixture in pan. Top with remaining cheese mixture.

Cover with plastic wrap and press gently to pack cheese. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.

Uncover and invert onto a serving plate. Cut reserved sun-dried tomato into thin slices. Garnish torta with tomato, almonds, and oregano or parsley. Serve with crackers or baguette bread.

NOTE: This can be made 5 days in advance and refrigerated , or it can be frozen up to 2 months.

Makes 12 to 16 servings.

Enjoy the holidays.