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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think you can make a Christmas dinner without a cooker

116 replies

Oysterbabe · 10/12/2017 13:05

I've just moved into a building site. We're not going to have an oven or hob fitted before Christmas. I'm 39 weeks pregnant so on Christmas day I'll either have a newborn or will be 41+1. Closest relatives are 2 hours away and I don't want to travel that far either overdue or with a days old baby. I also don't really want to make plans to go out as I have no idea how my birth will go or how I'll be feeling. Although after I had DD 2 years ago I was fine and would have been ok to cook or go out within hours.
PIL are going to come to us. MIL is a very fussy eater and won't eat anything unusual. She is also incredibly polite so would just push it around her plate, not eat it and say it was lovely so I won't worry about her too much Wink

Available appliances are:
Kettle
Toaster
Microwave
Slow cooker
George foreman grill & Deep fat fryer (I had no idea we had these until I found them in the back of a cupboard while packing!)

What would you make?
I've been thinking that I'll go overboard on a starter of pate, cold meats, pickles, cheese etc (those are my favourite bits anyway tbh) I can slow cook a ham the day before. Then make some kind of festive stewed meat, maybe beef and red wine. I can brown the meat on the George foreman before cooking so it won't be just grey and horrid. Then maybe get some microwave packs of veggies and I think you can get frozen roasties that can be fried in a deep fat fryer. I reckon I can make pigs in blankets on the George foreman. Then some kind of microwave Christmas pudding. What do you think? Anyone have any some better ideas to make a special meal under the circumstances?
Please can you all also send positive thoughts to my cervix, I so desperately want this baby to be born before Christmas day so I can drink loads of champagne and have pate and brie Grin

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 10/12/2017 13:50

The OP says she has a 2yr old DD, Jane

EatTheChocolateTeapot · 10/12/2017 13:53

I would go for smoked salmon and fish eggs on toasts for entry, then the ham and veg in slow cooker and some frozen fries in the deep frier for the main, platter of cheese and frozen buche for dessert with seasonal fruits (perhaps some dates and dried fruits with tangerines).
You could probably write it down for husband or in laws to make it in case you are in hospital as it does require lots of skills to make. It can even be frozen veg with the ham.

EatTheChocolateTeapot · 10/12/2017 13:54

It does not require skills

EatTheChocolateTeapot · 10/12/2017 13:54

Perhaps some honey with the ham too.

EatTheChocolateTeapot · 10/12/2017 13:55

Perhaps some honey with the ham too.

BrizzleDrizzle · 10/12/2017 13:56

Your in laws should be bringing the food with them, ask them to bring stuff to contribute to a slap up buffet with food you wouldn't normally have.

LuckyAmy1986 · 10/12/2017 13:57

Why are they coming to you?!

WeAllHaveWings · 10/12/2017 13:57

Ask your pil to roast turkey and slice into gravy so It can just be zapped.

Buy microwave in bag veg.

Deep fry roast potatoes and parsnips (not ideal but will at least be crispy!)

Use kettle to make yourself a cup of tea while everyone else does above!

kateandme · 10/12/2017 13:58

just a tip after u have tipped out the microwaved pudding.wash the basin it came in and use for treacle sponge in your microwave! make basic sponge mixture. then put golden syrup in the bottom of basin.3cm depth.pour over sponge mix.then microwave for approx. 4.30 depending on size and microwave power.
take out put plate on top.turn over and ooo watch the treacle partially cooked pour over the now upended pud.this is the ebst treacle sponge I have ever had.

Original poster
Oysterbabe · 10/12/2017 13:59

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. I like the idea of deep fried falafel style stuffing balls and hadn't thought that I could also fry the sausages and parnips. I've just found a few websites with ideas for slow cooking a turkey crown, I think MIL would like there to be turkey. Once all decided I'll brief DH on what needs to be done and see if I can delegate some things. He's hopeless in the kitchen and gets really stressed. If I left it to him he'd just ask his parents to bring food for everyone. I feel like we should do some hosting as it'll be the first time I have.

OP posts:
grannytomine · 10/12/2017 13:59

I'd go to MILs and let her cook, if she is fussy she will definitely enjoy it and you can relax.

DumbledoresApprentice · 10/12/2017 14:00

You can make roast potatoes in a deep fat fryer. You can parboil the potatoes in water in the microwave and then deep fry. You can put a joint of meat into a slow cooker with some onions and carrots along the bottom of the dish and sort of pot roast it. Veg can be microwaved. If you really want a roast sort of dinner it can be done with the equipment you have but it will probably feel like a faff.

WorraLiberty · 10/12/2017 14:05

There's nothing wrong with your DH asking his parents to bring food for everyone.

And perhaps after Christmas, have a word with your husband about him becoming a little less 'hopeless' in the kitchen.

TheOtherClass · 10/12/2017 14:07

If I left it to him he'd just ask his parents to bring food for everyone. I feel like we should do some hosting as it'll be the first time I have

His parents might be really pleased to help out and bring something. If I were them I'd hate the thought that you are taking too much on.

guardianfree · 10/12/2017 14:09

Bless you OP. It really shouldn't be down to you - I bet you've done the 'oh it will be fine' without really thinking it through.
Get the PILs to head for M& S (brief husband with the 'we didn't really think this through so could you bring..... speech ) and bring it all with them. Then set them to work in the kitchen . Give them all free reign while you snuggle up on the sofa with newborn and toddler. You have other priorities this christmas.

borntobequiet · 10/12/2017 14:11

You "feel like you should do some hosting". Why?
Neither your husband nor his parents should expect you to do this in the circumstances. I would be mortified if my DIL felt she had to cater for me if she was due and I was visiting for Christmas. Like pp have suggested, hotel/pub/restaurant, if anyone really has to come. Or have your Christmas dinner as a special treat in the dark days of January when you have an oven and hob and the new baby is settled.

Jaxhog · 10/12/2017 14:12

Go to 'Cook' (or order from them online). Everything goes in the microwave. They deliver too.

We had their turkey last year, and it was delicious.

DustandRubble · 10/12/2017 14:15

Can you get a portable induction hob to add to your collection? We are mid building work at the moment and with the one ring hob, microwave, slow cooker & George Foreman we are doing ok.

Honestly though I wouldn’t be hosting other people. Living in a house with building work going on is exhausting, filthy and not much fun. Add guests to that and I would go crazy. I would have a solo Christmas. And if I was hosting I would do stew on slow cooker and nice ready made mash. No way would I attempt something approaching a roast. The lack of prep space is as much an issue as the cooking.

AlexaAmbidextra · 10/12/2017 14:17

OP. I think you are completely off your head to be hosting the PILS in these circumstances. Why would you even do this to yourself? Confused

Kiki275 · 10/12/2017 14:19

Do you have a bbq? Many things can be cooked on that, especially if it has a gas burner?x

IceBearRocks · 10/12/2017 14:19

Steak on the George and chips in the fryer!!!!! Sorted!

ShuttyTown · 10/12/2017 14:26

Can't believe you're hosting Christmas when 1. You live 'on a building site'

  1. Will either have a newborn or will be 41+1
  2. Your husband gets 'stressed' in the kitchen

I think you're setting yourself up for a pretty stressful/miserable day OP! I'd really wait and see when the baby makes an appearance and work round that, either just grabbing some buffet style food for the day or plan on ordering an Indian takeaway or something.

MrsMotherHen · 10/12/2017 14:26

Slow cook the meat , get frozen roasties you can get some good ones like in duck fat throw them in the deep fat fryer. Pigs in blankets also deep fat fryer maybe even stuffing balls the type wrapped in bacon.

Then microwave veg or steamers are very cheap about £15 and most have 3 trays and can fit loads in.

Dessert in micro or buy a nice trifle.

Finderscrispy · 10/12/2017 14:27

Halogen ovens are good, just bought one for £30 from maplin. Perfect mini oven, heats up very fast and economical. You can also cook a roast dinners, cakes anything, size permitting, you can do in conventional oven.

LoniceraJaponica · 10/12/2017 14:30

"Why on earth is Christmas dinner being left to you to do in your current situation? Not only will you either be massively pregnant or just had a baby but you don't even have all the means to cook and host!"

This ^^

Why on earth aren't your in-laws hosting? This situation is massively taking the piss. There is no need to martyr yourself over Christmas dinner. Let everyone else do the work.