What to eat Christmas Eve for dinner?

[MrsPear]

I have no idea. I want something different to what I cook daily but easy. Last year I did tapas but this year I have my mother here and it will go down like a lead balloon. Any ideas?

We have a picky tea

We are having a raclette.

Eat?! Far too excited for that! I just drink

Probably a home made pizza and a bathtub of mulled wine

What about mac and cheese with crispy bacon (grilled or fried in its own fat, preferably good streaky bacon)?
You could add some blue cheese to the usual trio found in that recipe.
My favourite is the Mac n cheese on Almaz Kitchen (YouTube)
There are no spoken words, just a father and son in a Serbian forest cooking over a fire.
I have tested it in an ordinary oven and it's truly the best ever, although my kitchen isn't as picturesque as the forest.
If that's not to your (or your mum's) liking then a prawn curry, adding the prawns at the last minute or stuffed peppers (rice and chopped veg with or without minced beef. I shouldn't imagine you meant anything like a Christmas dinner with meat etc so something light, easy and in one dish.

If you don't like that idea

Some photos from YouTube video. It's ALMAZAN KITCHEN, not ALMAZ.

We tend to do Chinese takeaway which means no prep and just some washing up of a few plates.

We go out to eat

I don't like to cook, and considering the amount of cooking I'll have to do for Christmas Day, I've ordered a luxury fish pie. But maybe if your mum is staying maybe she'd like to do the cooking that night?

Usually a special fish pie, or gammon.

But since it’ll be just me and dh on Christmas Eve this year, I might well raid M&S for a couple of ready meals - not a frequent thing in this house.

I won’t rule out a main-meal sort of soup, though - I have a lovely, spicy warming rice and lentil soup recipe, which is very little faff, and perfect for winter.

@Luredbyapomegranate a Nordic buffet never thought of it like that but I suppose it could be. Red cabbage is a good shout. My mum doesn’t really cook plus I do enjoy cooking it was more of a mind blank when faced with mum’s diet.

Think I'm doing a lamb tagine with couscous. I'll make and freeze the tagine days in advance so there isn't much to do. I'll add pomegranate seeds and coriander so it's fresh tasting.

Thankfully it's just the four of us on Xmas eve and no-one wants a big meal. So Marks and Spencer festive canapés and the children are allowed to open the quality st.

I have a salad or soup.

No drinking for me on Xmas eve, I find it makes me far too exhausted on Xmas day which I find is a marathon of a day.

@SidSparrow I like your style!

@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal

Beef brisket in the slow cooker is dead easy, and delicious. Whack it in Christmas Eve morning and it's ready for dinner.

I can post a recipe if it appeals.

Could you post the recipe please @GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal? I cooked one for the first time last weekend and it was disappointing, would love to try another recipe in hopes of a better result!

We always have kedgeree, made with smoked salmon - and sometimes prawns too. It's a nice contrast to the food to come the next day, and is easy to make. All good.

Sorry @GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal I see you already did! 😁

We do a cheese board with loads of different cheeses, crackers, continental meats, pickled onions etc, nice crisps, and a tub of quality street 😁

Buffet.
Sandwiches, sausage rolls, quiche, salad, ect. X