View Full Version : Christmas Day Lunch -Traditional or not??
What do you eat on Christmas Day?
Do you go for the traditional fayre cooked from scratch - I do, organic free range turkey with all the trimmings all home made even down to my gravy[clap][clap] Starter is my lightly curried king prawns, deserts are traditional christmas pud complete with sixpence and as an alternative a lovely light italian desert (yet to decide which one for this year)!
Or do you get it all from the supermarket ready prepared to pop in the oven?
Maybe you are vegetarian and go for a nice nut roast?
Or maybe you have something completetly different?
So what do you eat and how is it prepared? Any nice recipes out there too??[xmas1][xmas1][xmas1]
Paula D-S
19-12-2005, 10:42
Traditional for us too. Starting with prawn cocktail or pate, haven't really decided which yet so it may go to a vote. Then Turkey dinner with all the trimmings, I even make my own gravy no Bisto with marmite for my lot on Christmas Day. Then I will have either Christmas Pud of Trifle. Then finishing off with coffee and peppermint creams (thanks Leisa).
I make everything myself although the adverts for M&S do look very tempting, I hate parsnips although that advert makes them look delicious.
zerotone
19-12-2005, 11:49
Traditional for us as well. Exotic fruit cocktail in cointreau or soup with homemade bread for starters. Turkey with veg - I do try and make the veg more interesting , carrots with apple drizzled in lemon butter, parsnips in a cream and nutmeg sauce, sprouts with bacon, fanned roast potatoes. Dessert is xmas pudding or cheesecake.
Jane
florida4sun
19-12-2005, 12:09
Taditional for us, off to find a good Goose today. We cook all our own food and rarely buy prepared stuff. Having a diabetic child, you would be suprised as to how much sugar is general processed foodsjavascript:insertsmilie('[msnsad]'), not to mention the very high salt content.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Mach 2
What do you eat on Christmas Day?
Do you go for the traditional fayre cooked from scratch - I do, organic free range turkey with all the trimmings all home made even down to my gravy[clap][clap] Starter is my lightly curried king prawns, deserts are traditional christmas pud complete with sixpence and as an alternative a lovely light italian desert (yet to decide which one for this year)!
Or do you get it all from the supermarket ready prepared to pop in the oven?
Maybe you are vegetarian and go for a nice nut roast?
Or maybe you have something completetly different?
So what do you eat and how is it prepared? Any nice recipes out there too??[xmas1][xmas1][xmas1]
[/quote]
We have a slightly less traditional one. Pot noodle (chicken) to start, then alphabetti spaghetti on toast.
No, only joking, full traditional. not decided on the starter yet.[:O]
caroline
19-12-2005, 12:31
Traditional for us, we don't usually have a starter but everything apart from the Christmas Pud is home made - As none of us are actually that keen on Christmas pud we usually have either something chocolatey or something very light.
LiesaAnna
19-12-2005, 12:40
listen to you lot!!! starters!!!!!!!!!!! i'd never be able to eat my christmas dinner if i had starters!!!! where do you all put it????[msneek] we have traditonal minus 1 or 2 things, we will have roast beef, (hubbys favourite) and turkey for my dad/me and anyone not liking beef, might have to cook sausages for the kids that dont like beef or turkey! very frustrating in this house!!!
i love veggies as does my dad so we have fresh vegetables, sprouts, carrots and broad beans, no one likes parnsips except me but wont have them, gravy out of a pot!!! i have always got so stressed when doing christmas dinner, so i do opt for simple things, (it goes back to having 6 smaller kids at home and no 2 eating the same things! one lived on burnt sausages)[msnscared]
all our kids will be popping in and out on christmas day!! so wont know whether i will be coming or going this year!!!
but one things for sure, we will have a very happy christmas, and will be counting our blessings!!!
steph_goodrum
19-12-2005, 12:42
We usually have a traditional turkey + alternative beef or lamb + the last couple of years a veggie option as well but as our daughter has already eaten her way through 4/5 turkey dinners, I think the claims to be veggie have gone now.
I don't like turkey hence the alternative roast and we usually have Christmas pudding or trifle for dessert. Means plenty of cold meat for Boxing day.
I'm always a bit of a dead loss when going out to Christmas dinner as I don't like turkey or Christmas pud.
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
19-12-2005, 13:02
I do the cooking on Christmas Day for the family and really enjoy it. I cook everything from scratch (we hate pre-prepared meals as they never taste as good). We're all veggies and do a very traditional menu with the turkey or goose swapped for a rich pie of nuts or veggies in red wine sauce (or similar).
I always save myself for my favourite part of the meal - lots of lovely exotic cheeses from around the world with crackers.
Can't wait!!
LiesaAnna
19-12-2005, 13:15
wish you could give my hubby a few tips John!!!! wish he would cook for me just for once!![msnwink]
we have turkey with all the trimmings minus the sprouts[sick]for me and the kids
darling husband loves them so they still go in the steamer
as we live close to a farm we chose our turkey a good few weeks ago he's had a good life so i will try not to feel guilty when he gets delivered
i have ordered a nice leg of lamb from the butcher to keep him sweet as he makes some special sausages for me all year round and i think he gets a little peeved when i dont get my turkey from him
we dont bother with starters because the kids will only sit at the table for so long and we have a good breakfast/brunch ( bagels with smoked salmon and scrambled eggs) so 3 courses is out of the question
we usually have pudding and trifle for dessert but much later in the afternoon Mizzy[msnsmile2]
sheenallan
19-12-2005, 13:55
Traditional for us but not Turkey,we have either beef and chicken or pork,all the usual veggies,roast parsnips being my favorite,eveything cooked from scratch except the pudding,nobody likes Christmas pud so this year they have a choice of treacle sponge ,chocolate sponge or jam rolly poly.
Hope everyone has a lovely day and nobody gets too stressed.
Sheena.
No starters for us either - couldn't manage one!
Traditional with Turkey and another (haven't decided yet!), lots of veggies with parsnips being favourite for me. I have a veggie daughter and haven't decided what to do for her yet.
Small Christmas pudding from M&S as none of us really like it, but the adults do have a little for traditions sake, and I will make a trifle and buy a chocolate roulade.
Gravy is my weakness I always struggle and get it lumpy! I always feel it lets my meal down!
LiesaAnna
19-12-2005, 14:26
same here Diane, thats why i get granules, mind you have been known to make them lumpy to! not the best cook in the world!!!
I said on the other post about Boxing day we are totally untraditional on Christmas day and have been for the past 7-8 years. We have Chinese[msnembarrased]
WE start the day with bacon butties after the kids have had their presents. Then we are off to mum's for a traditional Christmas dinner. We will have a spring vegatable soup followed by Turkey with all the trimmings, Sausages wrapped in bacon, sprouts ( Yes I Love em [msnsmile2]) Roast and boiled potatoes, roast parsnips, carrots and peas. Mum also cooks a ham to have along side. This will be followed by Mince pies, xmas pud and trifle.
Boxing day we have cold meats and chips [msnsmile2]and various pickles.
Needless to say I will not be going to the weigh in on the 27th but then I have the excuse of being on the plane to Florida [msnsmile2]
Merry Xmas everyone [xmas2]
[quote]Originally posted by stabard
Needless to say I will not be going to the weigh in on the 27th but then I have the excuse of being on the plane to Florida [msnsmile2]
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan you naughty girl you[msnwink]i'm not going to the weigh in on the 27th either[msnsmile2]
sundowner
19-12-2005, 15:09
Traditional for us too. Always get turkey crown as no one likes the dark turkey meat. As for sprouts - no-ne in particular used to like sprouts in our family (apart from me), although nowadays the tast has changed, they are much 'milder' so most of us have them.
For years though I used to chop the sprouts and saute them in garlic butter - everyone loved them and wanted seconds.
We will have starter, dinner, pud and cheese and biscuits spread over the whole afternoon/evening.
We have pork and beef with all the usual veggies, roast parsnips onions and peppers too for my hubbie, I am cooking for 9 this year so can't be bothered with starter, I have brought a christmas pud, but there will be an alternative of chocolate gateaux for those who don't like it, as for gravy, what I do is, cook the meat with water and the roasts, then use the water left from the meat plus water from veggies, add a bit more water if needed, put in a saucepan and add gravy granules, stir and boil until it's reached the thickness I want and it tastes lovely, my mom used to use cornflour and gravy colouring[msnscared] YUK!! Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year.[xmas1][xmas2][xmas1][xmas2]
Love to hear how you all make your gravy?
I use a Jamie Oliver or Gordon Ramsey recipe, but how do you make yours[?]
Sorry can't use gravy granules etc too many additives and MC!
Traditional for us too. And we all help to make it, a bit of a family thing. Unfortunatley the Washing up and loading the dishwasher is down to good old Dad. [msncry]
Traditional for us too. Mr Emm does the cooking of the main course on Christmas day (and prepares all the veg the day before) but I will have done all the shopping and made the starter and pudding!
We will be having tuna pate (home made) followed by turkey, sausages wrapped in bacon, roast and boiled potatoes, sprouts, carrots, roast parsnips (it's only me who likes them though), stuffing and gravy. Pudding (if we have room, if not it will be eaten for supper!) will be a pavlova with strawberries(home made). None of us likes Christmas pud, so a pavlova has become our tradition.
I must admit we spread our meal over a few hours [msnwink]
Aiminghigh
19-12-2005, 18:40
Traditional for us. Everything home-cooked,including Christmas Pudding and other desserts.
Turkey with 3 different stuffing side dishes(1 meat based, 1 vegetarian, 1 sage and onion). Sausages wrapped with bacon. Sprouts. Carrot batons cooked in freshly squeezed orange juice and zest. Carrot, swede and parsnip puree with nutmeg and cream.Peas.Red cabbage with apples and balsamic vinegar. Cranberry sauce.
For the gravy, I sort of "cultivate" it over the morning, by boiling up some onions and carrots, adding some turkey stock from the roasting tin, which I de-fat and reduce, and some turkey meat. A splash of red wine usually goes in, plus whatever seasonings I think it needs. I then puree it all together so it is smooth, but you still get all the onion taste, without the bits in it which my children don't like! I will usually add some cornflour as a thickener and usually some organic stock cubes for some added flavour. I also have some tasty beef stock in the freezer which I also plan to add[msnwink]
For pudding I already have a light home made Christmas pudding at the ready. I have also made ( and frozen) a cheesecake with red berries, a lemon tart and I will make a chocolate roulade with one of my daughters on Christmas eve.
Yes, before you ask...there are quite a lot of us for lunch!
I also will be doing Christmas tea, late in the evening if anyone can eat anything else! But I won't go into that! [msneek]
We'll be working our way around the Renaissance buffet so not traditional although turkey, duck, etc are on the buffet menu but so are giant prawns and crab legs and the chocolate fountain to die for, yum! [msnsmile2]
Apart from any other reason, we come to Florida for Christmas to escape the shopping and cooking and we've never used our cooker here (we're going for a world record!). [msnwink]
LiesaAnna
19-12-2005, 19:37
you go for it Blott!!!! think i need some lessons here!!
Traditional for us as well, but i would prefer beans on toast.
Barbara
Madabouttigger
19-12-2005, 21:36
We usuall start mid morning with Bucks Fizz or just a glass of Champagne and canapes. Then we start dinner at around 3pm, no starters just traditional Turkey and all the trimmings. Then onto Christmas pud. We stay at the table and about an hour or so later get around to cheese and biscuits and then coffee and mints. It's then getting on for tea time and theres normally a triffle and warm mince pies for anyone that can cope. Oh and of course the usually wine, brandy port etc etc. Boxing day is spent trying to walk it all off![msnscared]
Ray&Sarah
19-12-2005, 21:59
Traditional for us too, this year we are having roast beef and roast turkey, we do have sprouts but after they are cooked they get diced and added to garlic and bacon and then fried, lovely, even my boys will eat them that way. Wish I could say I was the cook but no, we always go to my parents for Christmas dinner, my mum is a fantastic cook.[msnsmile2]
Traditional for us too. No starters as we would not manage to eat the dinner. Turkey and all the trimmings, I love sprouts and roast parsnips[msntongue]. All freshly prepared and cooked by me. The only thing I buy is christmas pudding as only my husband and one daughter will eat it, trifle for anyone else.
Sharon G
19-12-2005, 22:57
Very traditional for us too!!
I,ve cooked the dinner for all the family for the past few years and although it is hard work I really enjoy it!
Starter is either Pate/toast or prawn cocktail or melon with port.
Roast Turkey and a joint of roasted beef.
All fresh vegetables..carrotts, peas (sorry they are frozen) brussels, parsnips, roast potatoes, sausages with bacon rolled around them, 2 different stuffing mixes!
No pudding as everyone is full apart from a nice cheese board and nibbles.
...and lots of nice wine and a bottle of champers for a toast!![msnwink]
....oh I love it[xmas2][xmas2][xmas2][xmas2][xmas2][xmas2][xmas2]
Sounds wonderful everyone - I love it too Sharon even though like you say its hard work, but I can't wait!!![xmas1][xmas1][xmas1][xmas1]
sundowner
20-12-2005, 14:43
Gravy not a problem for me any more. Mix two chicken oxo with flour and cold water in a measuring jug, add the water from the veg and cook in the tin I have done the roasties in - I always cook the roasties with marmite. The 'secret' is my trusty balloon whisk - it never ever fails. Throw in a glug of white (or red) wine and its done.
If for any reason it looks as though it will be lumpy, take it off the heat and give it a good whisk - always does the trick
Sharon G
20-12-2005, 23:08
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by sundowner
Gravy not a problem for me any more. Mix two chicken oxo with flour and cold water in a measuring jug, add the water from the veg and cook in the tin I have done the roasties in - I always cook the roasties with marmite. The 'secret' is my trusty balloon whisk - it never ever fails. Throw in a glug of white (or red) wine and its done.
If for any reason it looks as though it will be lumpy, take it off the heat and give it a good whisk - always does the trick
[/quote]
Thanks sundowner for this!! I am going to try this if you don't mind! I don't like all the additives in the brands like Bisto but on my previous attempts of making my own gravy it comes out too lumpy!
sundowner
21-12-2005, 12:11
Give it a try by all means. It has never failed for me (oopps famous last words). Try it before the big day if you can to give you some practice.
ncmurray
21-12-2005, 14:46
Ours is a traditional christmas dinner too, and all freshly prepared. The chicken oxo cube is a good idea. Just add it to the degreased turkey juices along with a dessert spoonful of cornflour if you want it thickened, and KEEP stirring vigorously (preferably with a whisk) over a low heat until it has boiled and you will have no lumps.. guaranteed!! Another nice one to try with a lovely christmassy flavour is boiling your carrots with a good dollop of honey added to the water with a heaped teaspoonful of cinnamon. Sounds awful, but tastes great.
Anyhow Happy Christmas to all. Perhaps we should start a thread after christmas about any disasters we may have had!![msnscared][msnscared]
Sharon G
21-12-2005, 14:53
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by sundowner
Give it a try by all means. It has never failed for me (oopps famous last words). Try it before the big day if you can to give you some practice.
[/quote]
..Thanks...Will try this evening, as I am going to do a roast Chicken!!![msnwink]
bjpointon
27-12-2005, 03:05
Parsnips are particularly good if rolled in plain flour and parmesan.A must in our house is pork,mixed herbs and chestnut stuffing. Dinner is followed by chantilly meringue and raspberries.