Aibu to ask for ideas for 5 emergency guests for the Christmas Eve dinner

[SympatheticSwan]

....starting in 6 hours.
Originaly was expecting to host only one good friend and we planned a very low key event. Due to a genuine emergency another family asked whether they can come over (3 adults + 2 teens). Please throw at me any ideas what I can cook in the next couple of hours to put on the table - I have plenty of basic things like frozen mince, vegetables, cupboard staples etc. but nothing too fancy. The planned main dish is a roasted duck with apples and braised red cabbage, but there's no way it could stretch into five extra portions.

I don't think you can go wrong with a large pot of chilli and crusty bread

Spiced shepherds pie - like this one but with whatever you have :)

www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/lamb-recipes/spiced-shepherd-s-pie/

Maybe do it Italian wise - the roast meat is still the main dish but there’s a pasta course that goes before it, so no one needs loads of the meat course?

Or, lasagne. Everyone loves lasagne.

Honestly I would just order a Chinese and be done with it.

But I’m lazy and never host

Stew with anything handy.

Chilli con carne rice bread salad

Just eat 😀

how generous of you to host. Wonderful Christmas spirit.

Could you cook duck and then shred it and make a cassoulet?IBulk it out with lots of beans/lentils/veg. Maybe rustle up a big pan of dauphinoise - I'm sure you have some spare cream and cheese. Serve with piles of the red cabbage?

If not what about just serving the duck as a centre piece to a buffet- load the table with whatever you can spare from the main event- cheese board, french sticks, potato salad? Maybe make some pizzas for the younger ones- pitta bases are great

Everyone will be so happy to be in company that they won't expect lots

I would just dash to Iceland and get a bunch of picky party bits- mini sausage rolls, garlic bread, etc.

Can you make pastry or get to shop for bought stuff? You can make a good pie or pasty with the mince, sone carrots, celery if you have it, that would look quite celebratory. Agree with potato suggestion below.

chilli or shepherds pie always goes down well with anyone

And a microwave sponge pudding- large glass bowl, golden syrup or jam on bottom, about an inch or so deep then a 4, 4, 4, 2 sponge mix on top and microwave for 9 minutes in my microwave, which is 800w. Turn out on to plate to serve. Looks like you've taken trouble but is easy

nip round to your local supermarket - they'll have loads of stuff at about a quarter of the original price.
Chilli or spaghetti bolognese would be easy. or any kind of casserole with jacket potatoes.
My waitrose had loads of duck breast fillets yesterday - if yours does, just supplement the duck with a packet of that.
Make or buy nut roast/meaty stuffing to supplement the duck.

Do the duck, serve as a starter. That way it's not wasted and everyone gets some. Chilli and crusty bread for the main as per PP. Put the pot on the table with a ladle, and let everyone help themselves. Follow up with mince pies and icecream or cream.

There'll be plenty for everyone and your hard work won't be wasted.

I can’t imagine any sort of emergency that would involve me inviting myself and my whole family round to someone else’s house for a meal on Christmas Eve! I’d cook pasta, get a takeaway, go to McDonalds, eat crisps!

I hate cooking though and would never expect anyone else to cook for a whole family unexpectedly.

Get a Chinese

If you make cottage pie, look for frozen potato - it's brilliant for pies, it comes in pellets, so you just lay them on top of the meat mixture and chuck it all in the oven.

We had that a couple of years ago... we thought we were not doing anything so were away in the coast having a nice walk when a family who never confirmed they were coming rang to ask at what time they should come in...

Bless Iceland, I hated with a passion until that day (partly the reason I ended up in Iceland, I was absolutely fuming!!!) and ... £30 provided a dinner for 10, including smoked salmon, lamb, soufflés, lots of little canapés, nice vegetables, a couple of cakes and with the table covered in candles and the packaging well out of view... nobody really noticed... it took just an hour or two.

Cook your duck, then make a big meatloaf and drizzle with ducks fat while cooking, salads and veg on the side.

Cottage pie, use the mince & vegetables, I think deliha smith recipe is delicious 😋

Duck as a starter and lasagne for main.

Get the extra guests to stop off at a supermarket on the way and buy some stuff - tell them to bring pudding, cheese and drinks.

Cook a lasagne, or a chilli with rice. Baked potatoes etc.

Merry Christmas!

What hobbesmanc said.

Both brilliant ideas.

Can you get to the shops?

I can’t imagine any sort of emergency that would involve me inviting myself and my whole family round to someone else’s house for a meal on Christmas Eve!

Lucky you