Non Buffet Boxing Day menu ideas please

[mrscog]

We're having my DParents, and DSis over on Boxing Day (DS (1.10), DH and me) and I don't want to do a buffet. I want it to be easy but tasty and special (I am considering 3 courses). Has anyone got any ideas? DS can go from eating everything to eating nothing so I'm not too worried about whether he'll like it or not as he'll decide on the day .

Any ideas would be gratefully received :)

I really like jami Oliver's turkey and leek pie although I often use chicken.

Starter is from marks and spencer and usually salmon but you could do salmon and brown bread or prawn cocktail.

Dessert is usually a good cheese board here with fruit and port.

Not sure if these will help but last year we hosted our family for boxing day and we cooked a reindeer stew with dauphinouse (sp) potatos and trifle for afters.

The year before my mum did a three bird roast with potato wedges and salad with a yule log for afters. Much enjoyed by the youngsters in the family.

Beef Wellington?
Or
Nigella lawson s gammon recipe

Do you need to use up leftover turkey?

Main: Chinese pancakes but with leftover turkey instead of duck. V easy and v nice.

No leftovers to use up as we're at IL's for Christmas Day. Really like the idea of reindeer stew! (Although feel slightly mean!)

Beef Welly also an ace idea.

Pate, melba toast and chutney to start - shop bought, no prep

For main, toad in the hole, mash, green veg and gravy (kid friendly and easy!)

Pud, eton mess. Prep.in the morning and refridgerate.

Oooh strangeglue that would go down amazingly with DH and DF.

We got the reindeer from Lidl's. It was very tasty. My DH cooked it.

Hadn't thought of pate mortified (DS is currently frying my brain with Tarzan like screeching and I can't think straight!). These are all fab ideas :) Trifle would also be good, it always makes me think of Christmas!

Lamb tagine with couscous would get my vote.

Or lamb shanks - there is a river cottage recipe where they are citrus braised that I did for New Year last year (with mash and sprouting broccoli) - it is delicious.

Trad at dads is
cold meat x 30 varieties
mashed potatoes
roast potatoes
pickles x 300 varieties
frozen peas
mini sausag/bacon thingies.

METHOD
take plate, layer meat, add mash, roasts and peas. Liberally apply beetroot, pickled red cabbage and gherkins. Douse (SP?) with chilli sauce. Cover with salad cream and mash into a heap. Eat with bread and butter. Sounds gross but my fave meal over xmas.