Christmas Dinner Menu Help
I'm unsure about my Christmas Menu. I am entertaining friends who do not eat beef and cannot have shellfish. Typically I serve prime rib or lobster for Christmas dinner.
I had thought about making a leg of lamb but I am not enthused. I do not care for pork so a crown roast is not high on my list. They also have children who are picky eaters so I fear that fish would not go over well. I have also considered making a turkey but that is hard to stomach this close to Thanksgiving and it's not a favorite of mine either.
I'm hoping that you will come up with a great holiday main dish that will work for us all!
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A lot of good suggestions here, but what about an Italian theme? We alternate among the beef, game hens and Italian.
Antipasto to start, people buld their own......then maybe Laz or stuffed shells with homemade sauce, meatballs, sausage etc. could be available to those that want them but the meatless folks can have at the pasta etc.
Just a random idea there....
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Berheenia
Nov 26, 2012 03:17 AM
Consider a capon- much nicer than a roast chicken. Also in the spirit of the Chowhounnd DOTM ... gratin. Barefoot Contessa has several that work well for me at Christmas with 6 to 8 people, Spinach gratin was a big hit recently.
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re: Kater
Rack of lamb is very nice. For seven people to get two chops each, you would have to get at least three racks. Not a lot of meat on them either, but if you have a first course like a soup or salad, then some filling sides like a vegetable gratin and a starch, you will be fine. Where I live, even at my Costco, racks of lamb go for about $25 a lb.
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re: Kater
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hambone
Nov 25, 2012 10:40 PM
What about a "build your own" mac and cheese? Prep the mac and cheese, then allow each person to add their own stuff. I did this to much love from all. I had caramelized shallots, pulled pork, shrimp, broccoli, taco meat, etc.? Shredded duck would be good, let your imagination go.
Then you put each person's mix in a ramekin, add cheese and panko to top, bake and serve.
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re: Kater
hambone
Nov 26, 2012 10:25 AM
I wondered about that. But there can be that lag after the gifts are opened and before everyone is puckered out... And this would allow you to do everything but mix and bake ahead of time.
But that said, a lasagna would be a good choice, too.
Throw in a nice salad and some garlic bread and who can't be happy!
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How about coq au vin? It's familiar enough b/c it's chicken but not typical fare so it's special enough for Christmas. You could also do paella, which has something for everyone.
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I usually do ham for Christmas. But everyone in my group loves my ham and I have been making it for a few years in a row now, so it's a becoming a bit of tradition.
My mom would often make homemade lasagna for Christmas when we had a rather large group of people coming over for dinner. You can make multiple pans of it, (perhaps one with traditional beef sauce and a vegetarian version for those who don't eat beef?), put it together ahead of time, and bake it the day of the party. A salad "bar" or build your own salad table, along with some Italian bread or breadsticks, makes for an excellent meal.
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How many people? Roast chicken or hens is great, unless you have more than six people.....
What about vegetarian lasagne like wild mushroom? Butternut squash? Or turkey bolognese?Or manicotti? Spaghetti & meatballs made with turkey & pork meatballs?
You could do a shrimp scampi on linguine, or a baked stuffed shrimp dish. I wouldn't worry about what the kids will eat, you can take care of that with sides and desserts.
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goodhealthgourmet
Nov 25, 2012 06:33 PM
duck is a good suggestion, or you could do Cornish game hens. and there's always goose, though i wonder if the children might have a problem with it. do they eat veal?
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re: Kater
goodhealthgourmet
Nov 25, 2012 07:16 PM
kinda figured, but i thought i'd make sure!
okay, so roast duck & chicken saltimbocca are both great ideas. you could also do a really good roast chicken served with a hearty mushroom sauce and rich, cheesy polenta.
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What about chicken saltimbocca. There's certainly a wow factor there. Would be awesome with a beet salad with goat cheese and roasted delicata squash with reduced balsamic.
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waver
Nov 25, 2012 05:52 PM
We always have duck breast. Its unusual, or at least not daily fare in our house, but kids love it and you can cook the small ones and only as many as you need. Not sure what to do about the folks who don't eat meat, but maybe its better than looking at some huge roast. We serve with wild rice, mixed vegetable (carrot, parsnip and turnip in orange sauce) and some sort of brussel sprout salad or roasted.
This is the recipe we love (use tea bags instead of loose tea and you wont have to strain).
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/foo...›1 Reply
