Ideas for an alternative Christmas lunch

[Sidebeforeself]

Just found out we are hosting this Christmas which Im pleased about. But for various reasons I dont want to do a full on roast with all the trimmings BUT I want to make it Christmassey. Has anybody done something like this? There be 7 of us.

I dont want something too different like a curry . Must haves are pigs in blankets, roast potatoes and stuffing but anything else is up for grabs. All ideas welcome - apart from fish!

Be Australian. Bbq, pavlova. Done.

Oh, include prawns.

we often do porchetta - can recommend the waitrose one.

How about Swedish meatballs or veggie balls with lingonberry. You can serve them with all the trimmings, but they're less of a faff.

My friend always does a venison casserole in the slow cooker - also very festive and you can similarly have traditional sides.

I'm veggie, so I usually do a Wellington of some variety, any Wellington makes a lovely centerpiece too.

Nigella’s slow cooked ham

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/slow-cooked_black_21152

We've previously done build your own (posh) burgers, which included Aberdeen Angus burgers, all the toppings, brioche buns, cheese topped buns, triple cooked chips, onion rings.
Last year we went Italian, got the M&S Christmas lasagne - which was delicious!! Garlic and rosemary flatbread, garlic sun-dried tomatoes, olives and a green salad. It was all so tasty and zero prep or waste!
We're thinking we might do Turkish this year and have different kebabs, salads and couscous. But still considering and will follow this thread for inspiration!

We've previously done build your own (posh) burgers, which included Aberdeen Angus burgers, all the toppings, brioche buns, cheese topped buns, triple cooked chips, onion rings.
Last year we went Italian, got the M&S Christmas lasagne - which was delicious!! Garlic and rosemary flatbread, garlic sun-dried tomatoes, olives and a green salad. It was all so tasty and zero prep or waste!
We're thinking we might do Turkish this year and have different kebabs, salads and couscous. But still considering and will follow this thread for inspiration!

I made a traditional cassoulet one year, it was delicious.

We have a shop bought mushroom Wellington.

If you’re doing roast potatoes, stuffing and pigs in blankets anyway maybe do chicken or turkey with stuffing and PIB in rolls with the potatoes on the side and gravy to dip in.
You could do any meat I suppose but I not like chicken or turkey with stuffing and pigs in blankets!
Otherwise maybe a chicken and leek pie.

turkey pies?

Ha! Im in a flat so no chance for a BBQ!

Ooh I like the idea of porchetta and meatballs!

If you’re doing roast potatoes and pigs in blankets you’d be just as well doing turkey (or a gammon) roast- easier than not tbh.

It’s not about ease its about the preferences of the guests really.

I think porcetta, meatballs with lots of sides might be good. Pomegranate and walnut salad for example

Maybe the pigs in blankets and other bits could be served at another meal with baked camembert and crisps and dips and things. Then your main Christmas meal can be a crown pleaser that doesn't have to pair well with those things - pie and mash/lasagne/chilli

Thanks but they wont be with us for another meal so I do want some Christmas elements. It doesnt all really have to hang together I suppose but I’d like a centre dish and sides rather than just a lot of random dishes if you see what I mean

A savoury Christmas wreath that can be made in advance and just heated through.

@waltzingparrot Oh yes that looks amazing!

I’d happily just have full sized really good sausages and bacon with roasties, veg and stuffing!

My family don't like a roast, but do like the trimmings, so this is my dilemma also.

I am going to do a "snack tea". So,

• pigs in blankets
• baked cheese
• baked broccoli
• nice bread
• salad
• chorizo / salami
• scallops
• some veggie bits

I used to do a mushroom and nut wellington with all the trimmings but our favourite Xmas lunch is pizza, potato wedges, onion rings and deep fried mushrooms. Perhaps you could put out bowls of pineapple, olives, peppers, ham and let people decorate their own?

I would just do a Christmas dinner but without the turkey if you like the pigs in blankets, roast potatos and stuffing. Add some gravy, maybe some Yorkshire puddings (controversial) and a bit of veg. Just ditch the bits you’re less bothered about
and then a course of cheese and bread.

alternatively, what about a pigs in blankets mac and cheese?

We do trays of trimmings, potatoes, pigs etc and serve with nice streaks cooked on the bby trays prepared in advance ans just bunged in oven on the day. No stress

OMG pigs in blankets mac and cheese!!! You are a genius.