lunch for 12 just after Christmas..... ideas please

[EmmaGrundyForPM]

I am doing lunch for 12 people on the 27th of December. I don't really want to do a buffet and ideally would like to do something I can make ahead and freeze. But what?

I'm working up to and including Chrisa Eve. I could dash to Morrisons on the morning of the 27th for additional things but in reality I'd have to do the main food shopping the weekend before.

I was wondering about something like a venison sausage casserole that I could shove in the freezer and then serve with jacket potatoes. Or make 2 large lasagne and freeze but lasagne isn't very exciting.

We have one oven plus a combi microwave and oven, plus a hob. I can create enough freezer space to freeze ahead but fridge space will be limited.

Any ideas?

could you do different types of soups and breads? and maybe some salad too

I had the same last year and made a lasagne. It was a welcome change from roast dinners and junk.

The 8 visitors are coming from 2 hours drive away and having to hire an additional car to get them all here so I feel.i need to make a bit of an effort. But I don't want to do another roast.

Jamie's leftover turkey and leek pie is always good - you could freeze the filling in advance then just add the pastry top on the day. Depending on how much you like your guests, you can "add value" to the filling with stuffing, cranberries, sausages etc.

As you have mentioned venison already I am guessing there are no non-meat eaters.

Link might help

www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/turkey-recipes/turkey-and-sweet-leek-pie/

A nice pie, chicken in leek or steak. The filling can be made in advance them just pop in a puff pastry top. Potatoes and Veg on the day

Lasagne, salad and garlic bread

Fish pie, salad and part baked baguettes

I've done both before, everyone was very grateful that it wasn't roast!

This fish pie freezes well and makes a change from a roast
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1363654/summer-fish-pie

Curry? Then make a veg curry and cook the rice on the day, to go with the meat.

A stew/casserole, sausage or otherwise will be great. Or a curry? Or you could turn any of the casserole/stew options into a pie on the day. serve with veg and frozen mash? Your other option of lasagna is also perfectly good. Or how about goulash? that would also be good with baked potatoes and some sour cream.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I like the sound of the fish pie and also the leftover Turkey pie.

I haven't been told about any food dislikes/allergies but will check. I don't know 7 of the 8 who are coming but want to make an effort for them.

Or, we love the hairy dieters spansih chicken tray bake, can't really make it in advance but it's not very labour intensive and apart from the chicken thighs, nothing much takes up space in teh fridge. I've done it with tinned pomodorino tomatoes instead of fresh.

www.womanandhome.com/recipes/the-hairy-bikers-spanish-style-chicken-bake/

Dunno about the turkey pie, I'd hate to drive two hours to be served turkey pie?! Is just me?

I'd do a beef bourguignon with mash, maybe a trifle for pud? Cheese course? You can make the bourg ahead of time, it'll be even better that way.

Chilli to go in the freezer and then jacket potatoes, rice, garlic bread, salad.

What about Nigel Slater's Moroccan style chicken casserole? Not too spicy but something a bit different, he mentions freezing it on BBC website so that would fit in with your plans. You could serve it with flat breads, rice (done in the microwave) and/or cous-cous.
You could keep the theme going with baklawa (bought) and stuffed dates or yoghurt with apricots and pomegranate seeds for pudding.

Beef in red wine casserole in slow cooker / big pan on hob
Do dauphinois potatoes in big tray
Veg in big tray
Bought cheesecake / pavlova

Or a fish pie with potato topping
Veg in tray
Desserts as before

Nearest restaurant?

We usually have curry or chilli when visiting family after Xmas. Both could be made in advance and frozen, defrosted the day before and chucked in a slow cooker/heated on the hob. Rice and naan to go with curry, could do some samosas etc as well. Rice, jacket potatoes or nachos to go with chilli, with some sour cream and guacamole.

Other than that sausage casserole or fish pie would be nice too.

FAQS

tempting but I can't afford it!

@Managedmis I can see your point about driving 2 hours just to eat leftover turkey. Will scratch that from.the list. The family who are visiting are from Scandinavia and hiring a house here for Christmas week so I dont know if they are having turkey on Christmas Day but won't risk it.

I made a Spanish chicken and pepper traybake last night for friends and that was good, I do it quite often but it would work for large quantities. I couldn't make it ahead but could easily knock it up on the day.

I could also do boeuf bougignone ahead and reheat on the hob with jacket potatoes done in the oven.

I guess I'm aiming at a meal which feels special whilst not creating too much work fo myself!

What about slow cooked pomegranate pulled lamb.. with couscous, tzatziki, pitta bread, hummus etc its delicious and great for big group.. easy enough to do.. looks fab but crazy easy!

@fussygalore118. do you have the recipe?

Chicken with white wine, cream and tarragon is lovely.

You can serve with new or jacket potatoes and some asparagus.

Just brown your choice of chicken joints (you can do this in the oven, just bing in a roasting try and drizzle with oil).

When brown, pour in white wine to come halfway up the chicken, add some chicken stock to come just to the top of the chicken.

Add in tarragon, salt and pepper.

Let it all bubble sway and reduce down for about 40 mins (don't let all the liquid evaporate though - add more stock if needed).

At this point you can cool and freeze.

To serve, defrost and stir cream into the sauce and potentially some more tarragon to taste) then back in the oven to re-heat.

Tastes lovely and far nicer than effort that goes in to making it.

The lamb is a Nigella recipe I think.

www.nigella.com/recipes/warm-shredded-lamb-salad-with-mint-and-pomegranate

I've made it, it's lovely.

I'm not sure if it would work well if frozen though (but maybe you could cook the lamb, freeze then re-heat/shred and dress it with the mint/pomegranate).

I am having a get together just before Christmas for 20.

I usually do a buffet, but tbh, i just cannot be arsed this year.

Getting a couple of ham shanks and making a huge pan of broth with stotties (soup and bread for southerners)😁 then, a ham, home made coleslaw, crusty bread and cheeses, a big pot of chilli and nachos. DH is making his blueberry cheesecake and apple pies and I will just buy a gateau from Iceland to bulk them out.
All easily doable in advance and much less hassle than a buffet😁

We have Oh's family over on the 27/28th every year.

12 of us in total.
OH cooks and we like to keep things festive. Lasagne or chilli wouldn't cut it.
We do a big ham, cook it off , and a roasting with mustard/marmalade glaze, studded with cloves. New boiled potatoes, salad, funky h/m pickles, bread etc. Still have crackers and candles, keep the whole mood festive. Buffet style, but sitting down where we can, so quite relaxed.