Tips to make Christmas dinner a bit special?

[MisselthwaiteManor]

Do you have any tips/recipes to liven up the Christmas dinner and make it more than just another roast?

Yes, this stuffing roll because its yummy, looks good and can be prepared in advance.

Savoy that looks lush! Wonder what it's work like with the quantities divided up a bit....what's there would be way too much for the four of us

Lucysmam, I agree, it looks lovely! One of the comments said they halved it and it was fine. You could always make it all and freeze one for the next Sunday lunch? Or give one to a friend?

Thanks Savoy, I've put it on my list of Christmas food!

I never think to read the comments Freezing the rest is a good idea....will make that I think

It's only because I'm nosy and I wanted to see how other people had got along!

The tips I got:
Smaller fresh cranberries are better than large,
You can use dried cranberries (and in fact it might be easier!)
And that you can do it terrine style in a foil lined loaf tin, which is probably what I'll do.
You can freeze it in the tin, then turn it out and use the tin for something else!

The people who halved it did it for 2 adults. Personally, I would make the whole lot to see how much it makes up, so I could decide what to do. But somehow I've ended up with 9 people for dinner. And that could increase! So it's safe to say I'll be making it all!

Make it all for four people. It's good for Boxing Day sandwiches if there's any left. Which there might not be!

That looks fantastic, pinned to pinterest :)

I couldn't find a 'pin it' button so going to write it out later on. Am convinced to make it all....for sarnys the next day

Horseback potatoes. So much more fabulous than normal roasties x

What are horseback roasties?

Oh I like sprouts with bacon and a tiny bit if garlic !!!!

Look up hasselback potatoes e.g. see Nigella's recipe

This is going to sound bonkers.... but cook it outside!!! Literally, turkey cooked on the BBQ is a whole different kettle of fish. SO JUICY. Depending on the size of your BBQ you can even do some of the veggies out there. And you dont have to hang around outside all day with your coat on, you can pop the lid down and check it occasionally. I was sceptical the first time I did this but i found that actually I rarely get a single breath of fresh air on Christmas Day so i found it a nice rest to have 5 mins outside every now and again away from the chaos!

We did turkey on the BBQ last year and it was like a different bird. Absolutely amazing. So moist and delicious.

Scratch cards in the crackers?

A game of After Eight challenge after eating?

Chestnuts and pancetta in with the sprouts........weeps.......I've always wanted to do this but have never been allowed as the older generations think its too "fancy"

Hasselback! Stupid phone autocorrect!

Marinade the turkey in natural yogurt night beforr roasting. The yogurt really tenderises the turkey & it doesnt taste of yogurt, I usually had a few spoons of xmas cake spice mix to it. The kitchen smells lovely.

I thought I was missing out on a whole variety of roast spud there!! Will have a look at the link, ty

Honey Roast Parsnips and pigs in blankets are nom. I think it is all the trimmingy stuff that does it. The stuffing, the sauces, the pigs.

I also stock with the turkey giblets the day before so it is kick-arse gravy. And I make lushhhh gravy.

Decorate the table - even if with bits of holly scattered around. Napkins. Your nicest glasses.

DH and I are vegetarian, the DC eat chicken.
In Pre DC days I made lush vegetarian dinners but now we go for a good 'standard' meal (but still has lots of Festive Spirit)

DC have a roast chicken breast each (free range with skin. Simply roasted in a glass Pyrex with foil then take the foil off to brown)
DH and I have a Quorn Roast

Roast Maris Pipers (in sunflower oil)
Roast parsnips rolled in vegetarian 'Parmesan type' cheese and breadcrumbs
Pureed turmip with a dot of butter
Carrots finished with butter and almonds
SPROUTS - oh yes. Just steamed
Tenderstem brocilli

Bread sauce (make it yourself , it's a doddle)
Yorkshire Puddings - DS insists
Vegetable gravy from the veg water

I put floating candles in a large glass bowl with coloured stars
Crackers - for the 24/25/26
Poppers
Table sweets in a little box

And I use my naice tableware

Have a meat that you don't generally have - we like to have duck at Christmas as we don't often have it through the year....and for me, it's all about the trimmings- with a normal roast, I wouldn't do all the extra bits and bobs every time whereas we go the whole hog at Christmas time.

These all sound delicious

It took me a minute to realise you meant party poppers 70isalimit I thought eh she really is trying to liven up the dinner!

I agree it's the full package that makes it special. You could have the simplest meal, and it would still be fantastic because of the decorated table, the best glasses and crockery, crackers/table presents, candles, the people gathered to enjoy themselves and celebrate together.

Sarah, talking of livening up dinner, one Christmas when FIL was with us, he had a massive chocolate hit (70% cocoa solids, in chocolate roulade and after dinner mint chocs) and he talked non stop all afternoon instead of dozing off in the chair as usual! DH who had dozed off was being woken every couple of minutes by FIL asking him something.