Boxing Day food

[ifiwasabutterfly]

Just wondering what you all eat on Boxing Day? we are normally at a relatives where e have a buffet but that has been moved to the 28th this year. I will make sure we have enough meat leftover from Christmas Day to use but not sure what to do with it? Don't really want to cook another huge meal again.

What are cobs?

I tend to do a roast dinner with Yorkshire puddings and have beef as the main. The best beef I can afford. Not as large or extravagant as Christmas but still a chance to have a few roasties, Yorkshires and mash.

Cobs are bread rolls, another regional name for them!

Bubble and squeak, cold cuts of turkey with pickles.

There is only 4 of us for Boxing Day and we just cook up a load of party platter things, left overs from Christmas Day etc in the morning and then we just nibble away all day - don't make a meal as such.

Cobs are crusty bread rolls.

No cooking at all!!! Just leftovers, cheese board, chocolate, satsumas, bread rolls, might put some picky bits in the oven.

I always do a turkey pie on Boxing Day - the one from Delia.

Lots and lots of leftovers. I love it. No proper cooking for days.

At some point I make turkey puff, which sounds like the Jamie Oliver recipe mentioned above but it's a Delia Smith recipe (or it was when I first did it - I don't need a recipe now). I wash and slice a couple of leeks, soften them in butter, add some mushrooms, leftover bits of bacon or ham, then finally stir in some flour and milk or stock (or leftover gravy) and once it's thickened any leftover cream. Season, stir in chopped turkey (dark meat probably, but breast would be fine too). Quantities very variable depending on what's left, just aim to make a fairly thick mix.

Roll out some puff pastry and put on a baking sheet. Spread turkey mixture down centre of pastry and pull up sides and pleat at top or side so pastry encloses filling. (Or just use the pastry as a pie topping.) Bake until pastry is cooked. Lovely! I usually do the last of the sprouts and carrots with it. Doesn't need potatoes. If there's any left it's great cold the next day.

What is this Bubble and Squeak of which you speak?
Everyone KNOWS that it's Fry Up! (Welsh Valleys name for this meal)

Leftover vegetables from the day before, chopped into smaller pieces. Mash, roast spuds and parsnips, sprouts, cauliflower, mushy peas, carrots.
Squeeze and squash it in a frying pan with hot oil, and cook it until it is sort of large 'cake'. Turn it over but at the end, make sure that it is golden brown with crunchy edges.
Serve with leftovers, Chestnut Wellington, sliced Quorn roast, apple sauce, cranberry sauce and Garners's pickled onions.
Drink port and lemon with it.
Eat after a long walk, then fall asleep on the sofa.

I love Boxing Day, special memories of being nearly snowed in while staying in a lovely cottage in Glastonbury, coming back to that special meal and hunkering down with a new book and some cider brandy.
Though when DW and I got together there was an interesting debate about the size of the chopped vegetables, she was going for little chunks whereas I prefer a more hearty version. I prevailed 😊

As little cooking as possible!

Cold turkey, cold gammon, salad/homemade coleslaw/both, pickled onions, chutney, baguettes, butter, maybe baked potatoes.

Though I sometimes make a macaroni pie (often seen on Caribbean buffets) which is easy, delish, and always goes down well. Popular with kids.

450 g macaroni
450 g strong cheddar, grated (a cylinder grater makes it easier)
One pint milk
3 large eggs
Salt and pepper, half a tsp English mustard powder (optional)

Preheat oven to 180C, 160C fan
Cook the macaroni as directed on the packet, slightly al dente is best.
While it's cooking, grate the cheese, add to the hot, well drained macaroni in a large bowl, mix well.
Beat eggs with milk
and add, mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Pour into a greased baking dish and bake for about 45 mins. Check while cooking and cover with foil if it's getting too brown on top.

Leave to stand for 15 mins before cutting into squares. Also nice at room temp. Can be made in advance and warmed in the oven.