Something 'extra' for Xmas lunch

[dontcallmethatyoucunt]

I'm hosting Christmas this year and will cook:

Turkey
Sausage/stuffing roll with cranberries
Spiced red cabbage
Parsnip and butternut squash dauphinois
Carrots
Sprouts
Goose fat spuds
Chipolatas (most probably wrapped in bacon)
Bread sauce

I make a variation on Xmas pud that's a bit like spiced ginger cake.

What else could I add that's a bit different or you do that you've not had elsewhere? We are 14 strong (12 adults) so do get through quite a bit of food and we're all greedy big eaters. DH wants Yorkshire puds, but I find they take last minute attention and oven space which I can do without. Any ideas?

I used to hate the way Yorkshires used to hold everything else in the oven hostage. Now I cook them 1st and take them out and just warm at end. Nowadays the oven's my oyster

Your menu sounds lovely OP, esp now you've added in gravy and cranberry. I'd add another green veg only because I find roots quite heavy so either broccoli or green beans.

We have roast and boiled pots, broccoli,carrots, roast parsnips,sprouts home made sage and onion stuffing, turkey crown, yorkshire puds , pigs in blankets, cranberry sauce and gravy, afters is a mix of christmas pud ice cream , christmas pud with a selection of flavoured cream or butter brandy,stack of profiteroles and warmed mince pies with cream phew ! all washed down with prosecco ...........yummy!

I like plenty of greens so would add cabbage/kale. I also love mashed swede- and it's good as part of bubble and squeak on Boxing Day.

Oooohhh we have...

Turkey
Roast potatoes
Roasted carrots & some steamed carrots
Honey and mustard roast parsnips
Brussel sprouts
Chipolatas wrapped in bacon
Stuffing balls wrapped in bacon
Sliced stuffing
Gravy
Cranberry sauce

Every year I panic and add a last minute veg, last year it was cabbage but it depends who I'm having round.

Handsfree

500g of parsnips and 500g BNS, finely sliced - I mandolin mine.
500ml of double cream
100g Gruyere (although I'm not beyond chucking in 200g).
1 small onion finely chopped
Sprigs of thyme

Heat the cream with the onion and 1 sprig if thyme until nearly boiling, leave to cool drain, pour over the layers of veg (I chuck some of the cheese in too). Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top and some more thyme leaves. Bake for an hour 140fan.

I always make mine a day or two ahead and then reheat on the day to save oven time.

I like the idea of roast onions, DH has just said peas too.

I do think that you need more veg xx perhaps a cauliflower cheese xx and possibly another meat xx

Peas would be a good additional veg, as very easy to cook last minute (throw a bag of frozen petits pois in a bowl, add a kettle of boiling water, and sit for 5 minutes while dishing up other stuff - perfect peas!). Or steam, or microwave, or boil...

Cauliflower cheese can be made in advance (steam/boil cauliflower - whole or in florets, make cheese sauce with a dash of English mustard to bring out the depth of the cheese flavor, put together in an ovenproof dish once cauli is cold, keep coo. Put a handful of grated cheese over the top just before putting into the oven once turkey is out - just to heat through and brown the cheese).

I didn't see gravy mentioned - sacriledge!!

At home, while DM always made bread stuffing for the bird, DF wanted potato stuffing - basically herby mashed potato then baked in the oven. That might be a nice extra dish to go alongside the roast potatoes rather than plain mash (and as you already have daupinoise using another veg).

Or do roasted root vegetables, also a dish that can get added to the oven once the turkey is out. Carrots, parsnips, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, red onions and some garlic.

We have
Roast Turkey
Stuffing balls made with sausage meat
I do a pork dish(last year it was a Tom Kerridge belly pork recipe)
Roast potatoes
Brussel sprouts
glazed carrots
Caluiflower cheese
mashed potatoes
roast parsnips
pigs in blankets
Yorkshire Puddings
Cranberry sauce,apple sauce and gravy.

We have a small starter before and then for pudding there's a choice,mince pies(with custard,ice cream or cream)a chocolate pudding and a fruit pudding(all hot and all on they're own or with ice cream,custard or cream)and then there's a cheese board,with different cheeses,crackers,chutneys,pickles and fruits if anyone wants it,followed by nice coffee and mints.

We have a starter of usually salmon or pate.

For lunch we have;
Turkey
Beef
Sausage
Sausages wrapped in bacon
Sausage balls
Stuffing
Stuffing balls
Roast potatoes
Mash
Potatoes in herb (the m&s ones)
Parsnips
Carrots
Sweet potato and butternut squash bake
Brocoli
Cauli cheese
Cabbage
Green beans
Sprouts
Yorkshire puddings
Red cabbage
Gravy

Then a couple of dessers. I love Xmas food!