Christmas Eve meal

[littlemousebigcheese]

Please help. DHs family are staying with us over Christmas, arriving Christmas Eve. Christmas Day is obviously sorted but I've agreed to make dinner Christmas eve and have no idea what to make. His father won't eat onions, mushrooms, peppers or fish. His sister wont eat red meat, his niece won't eat anything that isn't a chicken nugget. I've got no clue! Take away would be ideal but we live in the arse end of nowhere and none will be open. I've suggested jacket potatoes and a 'toppings bar' but that's been shut down, no one will eat a lasagne which is my other go to for big groups!
I was thinking buffet with nice nibbles but we're doing that Christmas Day and Boxing Day so that's out too!
Any ideas?!

Shut down? Shut down by who? It sounds perfect. Tell them to organise something themselves then 🤣.

We have gammon in coke from Nigella’s recipe, with lyonnaise potatoes, peas and parsley sauce. I’m not sure how many of your sets or requirements this would meet but lots of people like ham, surely?

Just ask them what they would eat and provide that (within reason obviously).
Even if that means individual microwave ready meals.

How about 2 or 3 different types of pasta meals, with a green salad?

Inspiration here, to help you avoid various ingredients!

Could pizza work? Buy the dough/sauce and then have a toppings bar and everyone make their own?

Shut down?! I'd stop asking and just do your best. Lovely colourful root vegetable pie or casserole?

Chicken carbonara?

We’re having a beef hot pot, but could you make a chicken stew or chicken pie? Would niece eat that? With mash & green beans.

Or chicken schnitzel? That’s basically a big chicken nugget! With dauphinois and salad.

MsDonalds?

they could bring food? a signature dish? assuming you have a microwave or means of reheating? you make what you want for your own family, while providing salad, bread, for all, showing willing, to provide, served up with a welcoming grimace ?

Chicken nuggets for the child and some sort of chicken traybake for everyone else, roasted root veg. Broccoli on the side. Easy

Big pot of soup with crusty rolls?

If they're shutting down all your usual go to meals and being fussy I'd say it's starting to sound very much like a DH problem tbh.

I agree with the cooked ham suggestion with a variety of salads on the side

Or pizza that's also a good shout!

I wouldn’t give anyone a say in what you are going to serve.

How about pizzas, salad and coleslaw?

Serve them all chicken nuggets, chips and baked beans.😊

Takeaway- everyone orders what they fancy, no work, no cleaning.

Macaroni cheese? Surely everyone likes macaroni cheese

I'd do pizza or buffet food and let them help themselves. If they're still not happy, tough.

I'd either do pizza, coleslaw and salad or burgers (chicken and beef), hotdogs - sames sides as pizza

Who shut you down about jacket potatoes??? That sounds like a logical idea. What are you serving Christmas day?

-Fajitas made with chicken breast. Cooked peppers and onions for those that eat them, grated cheese, salad, refried beans, jalepenos and everyone helps themselves. Nuggets for the child.

-Burgers. Chicken and beef patties and everyone makes their own

-Chicken or pork schnitzel with veg for everyone

Tell them to pick something up along the way, you don't mind what as you're catering for the next two days. Back at ya!

I always cook a large Gammon but not in sugary coke with carrots which are also sweet on Xmas Eve with mashed potatoes and vegetables. Then I have cold gammon on Boxing day as cold cuts along with turkey and beef from Xmas day. Cook the nugget query a few chicken nuggets. Or you could suggest everyone orders a takeaway and let them pay for their own meal.

Ham, egg & chips.

Or ham salad.

Quiche & salad or veg.

Large pot of stew, with jackets.

Not sure I’d be asking them what’s okay though. Cook something and if they don’t like it, they can make sandwiches or have cereal.