Holiday Meal

**ratspike** · 18th December 13, 07:18 AM

Nachos for Christmas is a long standing tradition in my wife's family. I make a separate version for myself, and inevitably most everyone else too, that's vegan with refried black beans, soy chorizo, and Daiya cheese. A huge bowl of fresh guacamole and fantastic pie - that someone else bakes, thankfully - rounds out the xmas dinner.

Oh, and quite possibly a wee dram or two for my father-in-law and I of course.

**plaid preacher** · 18th December 13, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by flyrod6057

Well.... Our family consists of Christians, Jews, and atheists. Thus, we tend to stay away from the more traditional religious overtones of the holiday season, opting instead for a more egalitarian celebration of family and community. This year, we're doing lasagne (with sausage for the Christians, vegetarian for the Jewish faction) and various sides, with a big emphasis on the dessert menu. If Hannukah and Christmas were closer together as they often are, then latkes and sufganiyot would have made the cut. However, since Hannukah coincided with Thanksgiving this year, Yiddish fare will not be featured in the late December meal. Pasta, salad, and sweet stuff in our home this year. We are all gaining a few lbs this winter solstice...

Okay, so I just have to ask .. "sausages for the Christians?" Did I miss something in my Bible reading? "And verily the baby Jesus took the three wise men out to Dennys for piggies in a blanket? And they did eat; and it was good."

As for me and my house, we are pretty standard turkey with the trimmings and Christmas pudding with a hard sauce.

...to one and all, enjoy your holiday feasts! (...especially the Christians with their sausages. ;-) )

**flyrod6057** · 18th December 13, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by plaid preacher

Okay, so I just have to ask .. "sausages for the Christians?" Did I miss something in my Bible reading? "And verily the baby Jesus took the three wise men out to Dennys for piggies in a blanket? And they did eat; and it was good."

As for me and my house, we are pretty standard turkey with the trimmings and Christmas pudding with a hard sauce.

...to one and all, enjoy your holiday feasts! (...especially the Christians with their sausages. ;-) )

No offense intended! (In reading that back, it sounds bad

) What I meant to say is that some folks prefer kosher--read: vegetarian--lasagne. Others prefer meat sauce in theirs. Meat + dairy is a no-no in Jewish cuisine, as is pork. There are no such dietary restrictions in traditional Christmas fare. That was what I was trying (poorly) to convey... Apologies if I offended anyone. That wasn't the intent.

Regardless, I hope everyone enjoys the season, regardless of what they're noshing on.

**StevieR** · 18th December 13, 10:31 AM

I have a big family and we siblings take turns to host a traditional Christmas meal. Me this year, so for us:

Smoked salmon and cream cheese on bagels, with a glass of bucks fizz for breakfast, a very light lunch and then the hordes descend on us for Christmas dinner at about seven. Canapés and a glass of fizz with a splash of sloe gin then roast turkey (introduced from the new world in the 17th century, I think) and a brace of pheasants, chestnut stuffing, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, roast parsnips, sprouts with bacon and almonds, carrots, sweet potato mash, bread sauce, cranberry jelly and gravy made from the turkey juices. Phew! Then Christmas pud with either brandy butter, cream or custard. Cheese board for anyone with a bit of room left. Not forgetting Christmas crackers with naff gifts, corny jokes and paper hats. A big glass of Lagavulin for me when everyone has gone!

My eldest daughter misses Christmas dinner for the first time ever

. She works for the Ambulance Service and has a watch on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day (which is also her birthday) We will be packing a hamper of goodies for her and her crew mates and hope they have a very quiet time.

**creagdhubh** · 18th December 13, 10:51 AM

Haggis, neeps and tatties and several drams.

**O'Searcaigh** · 18th December 13, 10:59 AM

The solstice occurs at 11:11 12/21 here local time; we will celebrate by going out to dinner ("lunch," for any "Yankees" out there). After reading through the thread, I think I want to go to Downunder's for the big holiday meal! Its an awfully long trip though and besides, I wasn't invited, but we may just have to copy at least some of that for our own celebration. Oh yes, we'll have Chili Christmas Eve (a tradition). Thanks for the menu ideas. Bon appetit!

**Starhunter451** · 18th December 13, 11:58 AM

Hope for a goid and peaceful for you StevieR.

All of these foods are making me hungry, and I am eatinv right now.

**Grizzly** · 18th December 13, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by StevieR

I have a big family and we siblings take turns to host a traditional Christmas meal. Me this year, so for us:

Smoked salmon and cream cheese on bagels, with a glass of bucks fizz for breakfast, a very light lunch and then the hordes descend on us for Christmas dinner at about seven. Canapés and a glass of fizz with a splash of sloe gin then roast turkey (introduced from the new world in the 17th century, I think) and a brace of pheasants, chestnut stuffing, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, roast parsnips, sprouts with bacon and almonds, carrots, sweet potato mash, bread sauce, cranberry jelly and gravy made from the turkey juices. Phew! Then Christmas pud with either brandy butter, cream or custard. Cheese board for anyone with a bit of room left. Not forgetting Christmas crackers with naff gifts, corny jokes and paper hats. A big glass of Lagavulin for me when everyone has gone!

My eldest daughter misses Christmas dinner for the first time ever

. She works for the Ambulance Service and has a watch on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day (which is also her birthday) We will be packing a hamper of goodies for her and her crew mates and hope they have a very quiet time.

That's perfect mate , what time shall I come round?

**craigclan** · 18th December 13, 12:05 PM

We start off Christmas eve with church then Irish coffee at my inlaws . Christmas morning is grapefruit washed down with baileys and coffee ( more baileys than coffee ) then off to the inlaws for lunch . Lunch is normally ham , scalloped potatoes , coleslaw , deviled eggs and carrot cake for desert . Best carrot cake i have ever had i must say . Then its off to my folks for the traditional turkey, mashed potato and stuffing dinner . By this point we are normally well stuffed and ready to nap .

**Grizzly** · 18th December 13, 12:17 PM

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for me will mostly consist of preparing and cooking the Christmas dinner as I am the head chef in the household. As I write this I am away from home on business sat in a pub having my evening meal and I have just had the most delicious starter which I think I will replicate for Christmas. Flat field mushrooms stuffed with whipped goats cheese, on toasted walnut bread with a sprinkling of toasted pumpkin and mixed seed crumb topped with crispy sweet cure bacon.

Christmas morning will be out in the kitchen with a bottle of sherry ( my late dad's tradition) preparing roast turkey, belly pork, roast potatoes, sage and onion stuffing, roast parsnips, sprouts, honey glazed carrots, broccoli, proper gravy with the meat juices, pigs in blankets and anything else I can think of.

Sweets or deserts are my OHs domain and will consist of , gateaux cheesecake or profiteroles.

Wines will be consumed during the meal and liqueurs after.

This will be followed by a big sleep and much self introspection for eating and drinking too much, this will mostly occur during the evening when I can't manage the cheese board for supper.