What is your favourite non/traditional dinner?

[D20]

We’ve done steaks, pies and pasta bakes before. I was wondering what your favourite non-traditional dinner was for Christmas Day? The kids don’t eat spicy unfortunately so curry and the like is out.

Wider family are coming and they all have different expectations of what should be on a traditional dinner and it’s just not something I want to do. I much prefer an ordinary Sunday roast some other time without the pressure!

I’ve done a buffet before, I did a turkey crown, beef joint, stuffing and rolls so people could make a sandwich if they wanted one, roast potatoes, m&s party food, dips etc it went down a storm but honestly was more hassle than making a roast dinner 🤣 I’ve stuck to a roast dinner since - I’ve got a buffet warmer and just let people help themselves rather than me serve it - much easier!

We did bangers and mash one year. Brilliant, no effort!

Lasagne is our go to, assemble the night before. We did mezze as well - hummus, salads, a big joint of lamb

There are lots of dishes that are traditional in other countriesat Christmas- you could look those up for inspiration.

Or if you wanted something still special and celebratory you could try a lamb ouzi

We do traditional but if not, I'd do Beef Wellington or salmon en croute

Get out the umbrellas and have a barbeque in the garden? One of my friends did this and yes, they needed the umbrellas 😁.

We do Ottolenghi’s Celebration Rice but we use Rotisserie chicken bought from M&S on Christmas Eve to save time. We shred the chicken and coat it in the spices/juice on Christmas Eve and then chuck it in the fridge ready for the next day. The rest doesn’t take long to cook and it’s an impressive looking dish. We eat it with fresh bread (usually either part baked ciabatta or fresh crusty bread bought the day before in M&S and just refreshed in the oven on the day.)

*edited for a typo

Mexican - bavette steak and chicken fajitas. Make it as spicy as you like. Guacamole,
Corn, salsa etc.

We have bbq's the turkey before and yes umbrellas needed!

Well those suggestions have made me hungry 😋.

We had gammon steaks with cheesy mash during the week and they tasted great and were a doddle so might put a gammon joint on the list maybe with creamed spinach, cheesy or garlic mash.

Love the idea of borrowing traditional dishes from other countries. We’ve already thoroughly embraced having the traditional Japanese KFC but on Christmas Eve for us.