Non traditional Christmas lunch?

[Blueredballoon]

Just wondering if anyone else does a non-traditional Christmas lunch so I can steal any ideas!

We've decided not to bother with the full on dinner this year after it was way too much stress last year, especially as none of us particularly enjoy a roast that much (vegetarians and fussy toddlers all in the mix of guests too)! I also have a baby in addition to a toddler this year so I want to do something still special but not something where I'll be stuck in the kitchen all day.

Any ideas?

Do something tasty in the slow cooker. That way it'll just be ready when you need it.

Or what's everyone's favourite meal? Really good quality steak and chips would be mine.

We (me, dh and dd (now 16) have for quite a few years had crispy duck and pancakes from M & S or somewhere similar. That together with dips, crisps, maybe a bit of lovely cheese and stuff in the evening. DD loves it, We go to relatives the next day and do all the traditional food then.

Favourite food is a great idea too - mine would be the same as yours Halfpenny!

Steak, with a few king prawns in garlic on the top, homemade chips, oven roasted piccolo tomatoes, big flat mushroom done in oven with blue cheese melted on the top. Side salad. Cheesecake for pudding

Oooh ginger!

Ready meals from M+S? I spent last Xmas with my two flatmates and thats what we did plus nibbles and ice cream for afters! We spent an absolute fortune but ate like kings for three days

We had antipasti last year. Lovely meats, mozzarella, rocket + parmesan salad, crusty bread, olives, those wee peppers stuffed with cream cheese, chutney ... Totally fab.

An Italian feast ..can't wait.
Lasagne, garlic bread and Tiramisu served by candle and fairy light at Center
Parcs. Love an alternative Christmas now and again.

I suggested we do something different this year, but have been outvoted. Had I got my way, I'd have gone for a curry banquet or a load of baked Camemberts with bread, figs, grapes etc.

We are doing non traditional this year...two slow cookers on the go...a steak chilli and a chipotle chicken stew, nachos, dips, tortillas etc..Mexican buffet which the kids love too. Lots of ice cold margaritas to wash it down. Can't wait!

Ooh some great ideas, thanks! I think the slow cooker would be a good idea.

Galletti- that's what decided it for me last year- I went to all the stress and effort only to have the traditional meal all repeated the next day at my parents' house so it seemed pointless!

I did venison carpaccio ( get me!) with shaved parmesan and salad.. it was just DH and me though. was lovely , best Christmas dinner for years

We were out (v. early) for a long walk. Breakfast was a h/m mince pie and black coffee (from flask) on top of the Downs .. then back for smoked salmon on rye bread with a bottle of English fizz at about 12..

I know someone who has their main dinner on Christmas Eve & does a buffet of nibbly bits on the day itself.

For the first time in years we're not at home for Christmas or Boxing Day so will have our special family day on 27th, by which time we'll be sick of the traditional stuff.

I'm planning a seafood platter, followed by kangaroo steaks with sweet potato & spinach dauphinoise, roasted vine tomatoes & asparagus & homemade tiramisu.

A couple of years ago we had no family staying so I asked our daughters what they really, really wanted for Christmas lunch.

We had an ENORMOUS pile of pancakes. I had mine with smoked salmon, cream cheese and prosecco ... and the rest of the family ate every sweet and creamy substance they could lay their hands on. It was lush, and very memorable.

We've had our Christmas dinner on Christmas eve for the past few years and had turkey and chips on the day but this year we are having a bbq of beef and salmon.

Ironically Chicken Korma with all the trimmings would be my DDs idea of the perfect Christmas lunch!

Venison casserole made in the slow cooker. Quite festive if you think about it and easy.

WyrdByrd

Xenadog - don't think I want to think too hard about the link between slow cooked venison and santa's sleigh-pullers Sounds lovely, though

I did parsnip soup last year to start, with crisped sage leaves and brown butter on top, followed by venison in damson sauce. Was very nice.

I'm thinking of doing beef Wellington this year - anyone tried that? Is it difficult to get right?

I'm doing a buffet for Dd and I, with a whole tongue as the centrepiece, I love cooking though, and trying new things.

We have friends who go our with their sons to the local (excellent) Indian Restaurant on Christmas Day. I'd love to have the courage to do something like that but we usually have a houseful and couldn't afford to treat them all.

Cheese, biscuits, fruit & chutneys.

Lay it out and munch as when you want all day, with plenty of

DH was raised vegetarian so he doesn't like slaps of meat even though he eats fish and chicken now. DD1 only likes the typical children's meals. DD2 is just 1yo and throws more food on the floor than eating. MIL likes everything traditional, but she's being outvoted here

We had a curry last year. Probably going to be the same this year. The good thing is you can serve pasta or mash with curry. With some shop bought naan bread and starters.

The slow cooker is a great idea tbh. (I don't get on well with the slow cooker so I'll just put the curry on the stove).

I think if we had just DH's kids and not grandparents etc they'd vote for BBQ - with DH standing in the rain outside to cook it. So I'd be quite keen on that too...

Just me and him - I'd vote for steak and chips - he loves a good Christmas dinner though.

Or I'd go for a tapas spread M&S style thing (other deli type counters are available).

Oh and DH and DD1 appreciates more if I put the effort into a pudding instead.