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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

I have parents on 25th, friends on 26th, PIL's on 27th and bil plus family on 28th. What can I cook each time that will not make me go grey?

39 replies

mrsmaidamess · 09/12/2008 21:05

I need things quick and easy. Christmas Day will be what it says on the tin, but I will need at least one biggish meal for the next 3 visits! I think I may have bitten off more than i can chew...

26th......................

27th.......................

28th.......................

(Please fill in the gaps)

OP posts:
moondog · 09/12/2008 21:06

Boxing day-cold meats and salads

27th- out to lunch/dinner?

28th- beef in red wine/fish pie/lasagne

Original poster
mrsmaidamess · 09/12/2008 21:07

Yes moon, thanks I was thinking of eating out on the 27th. Just for my own sanity if nothing else.

OP posts:
moondog · 09/12/2008 21:08

You must or you will go mental. Also factor in long walk.

Quattrocento · 09/12/2008 21:08

Oh I did three in a row once and it drove me demented. Was not fun. Do eat out on 27th.

janeite · 09/12/2008 21:10

Long walk is a must. Followed perhaps by a big pan of soup, lovely bread and cheese and crumble and custard. Easy to prepare, can be made in advance then warmed up for almost instant gratification post-walk. I think this would be best on the 28th.

Original poster
mrsmaidamess · 09/12/2008 21:15

Yes will def. do a long walk. To release post christmas trapped wind .

I like the idea of soup, good cheese (although, who would serve crap cheese?) and I make a mean apple crumble if I say so myself.

In fact, if I was even 15% organised I could get that made this week, and freeze it, non?

OP posts:
janeite · 09/12/2008 21:20

Oh, too many people serve crap cheese I'm afraid.

WinkyWinkola · 09/12/2008 21:22

Get a slow cooker.

Each night, cook a different dish. So easy. And stress free. Can guarantee it.

Original poster
mrsmaidamess · 09/12/2008 21:22

Good idea winky. I can bung stuff in first thing and it'll be done in the morning. Do you have one? Which?

OP posts:
Original poster
mrsmaidamess · 09/12/2008 21:23

Done in the evening, not morning. Thats why its a SLOW cooker.

Dunce.

OP posts:
WinkyWinkola · 09/12/2008 21:28

I've got a TEFAL from Amazon. It comes with a cookbook too so you can easily do beef, chicken, pork..........

You can serve with rice, potatoes, bread to break up any food monotony for your family who will be there for every meal!

Seriously, the food will be very delicious.

But what about dessert?

Original poster
mrsmaidamess · 09/12/2008 21:31

Because I am desperate, and impulsive , have just bought slow cooker on Amazon. It took about 10 seconds. Howe scary is that?

Pudding, I will concoct either Eton Mess (arf!) or do crumbles or dd can knock up some brownies and we will have with cream.

OP posts:
janeite · 09/12/2008 21:34

You can do soup in the slowcooker too!

Brownies and cream - mmmmmmmmmmmm. Yes please!

spookycharlotte121 · 09/12/2008 21:35

How about making a caseroll for one night, some nice sausages with mash another night and a buffet another?

Original poster
mrsmaidamess · 09/12/2008 21:36

I am getting a lot of inspiration here...my mind was a blank before I posted...thanks all!

OP posts:
onebatmotherofgoditschilly · 09/12/2008 21:42

as an alternative to slowcooking, you could try really basic nigelslater/jamie type roasts.

Leg of lamb(half price Sains right now, freezable), slits for garlic and rosemary. Salt, oil.

Put chunky carrots, leeks, swede, pots, unpeeled garlic, aubergine, anything else around joint, with sprigs of thyme.

Cook accoriding to instructs. but less.

Buy/make in advance red winey/rosemary gravy with posh stock and er, red wine, bay leaf, bit of celery maybe.

In fact, if I were you I'd go and by three legs and do the same each time. You will be MrsJamie by the third day.

AaliyahsFirstXmas · 09/12/2008 21:43

TAKEOUT

Sorry am no good with food but good luck as that's a lot of cooking and a lot of hosting.

lilolilbethlehem · 09/12/2008 21:45

I've done this before, madness!!!
Slow cooker - definitely worth investing in one. Personally I find that lamb (cook in red wine), beef (cook in red wine or stout) and pork (cook in cider) stews work better than chicken.

Make ahead dessert: Lemon Meringue Ice cream: Whisk cream with equal amount of Greek yoghurt. Mix in 1/2 jar of lemon curd; juice of 1/2 lemon; crushed meringues. Freeze. Take out of freezer and put in fridge to soften 1/2 hour before needed. I often serve this with defrosted fruits of the forest or similar

I always have an apple crumble in the freezer for over Christmas, freezes so well.

Quick and easy fish dish:
Jamie's recipe for Baked Cod with Avocado, Prawns, Cream and Cheese from "Happy Days with the Naked Chef" - serves 2 but easy to multiply up

extra virgin olive oil
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 x 225gr/8oz cod fillets, skinned and pin-boned
1 small handful of fresh basil, ripped
1 avocado, peeled, stoned, halved and sliced
150gr/5 1/2oz good peeled prawns cooked or un-cooked
140ml/5fl.oz double cream
150gr/5 1/2oz good Cheddar cheese

Pre-heat the oven to 220C/425F/gas 7.

Rub a baking dish or roasting tray with a little olive oil, season the cod on both sides and place in the dish. Sprinkle the fillets with the basil, avocado and prawns. Drizzle over the cream and grate over the cheese. Cook at the top of the pre-heated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until golven brown and bubbling.
Season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and serve simply with a green salad. (note I usually have to cook it for a little longer but am usually cooking a larger amount

I've been making Michael Barry's Salmon en Croute for years, since I saw it on the bbc Good Food show. It looks impressive but is very simple. Unfortunately this website seems to have lots of pop up adverts but they disappear quite quickly.

Chicken breasts stuffed with a mixture of leeks, bacon, white breadcrumbs, pine nuts, eggs. Wrap in bacon. Bake c. 20 - 30 mins. serve with a white wine sauce

Got distracted so sorry if repeating what other people have posted in the meantime. Am keeping an eye on this thread as I need to expand my quick n easy but impressive repertoire.

lilolilbethlehem · 09/12/2008 21:46

("madness" refers to back-to-back catering over Christmas, not slow cooker which is how it could read!)

Cies · 09/12/2008 21:47

A stew or casserole can also be made now and frozen, so all you need is to defrost and bung some baked potatoes in the oven.

You can't beat a good beef bourginon or goulash.

onebatmotherofgoditschilly · 09/12/2008 21:51

yes of course, cies! or beuf en daube. or even just lovely lamb stew with r wine and red onions and winter veg. Then you just do a really good mash with lots of butter and cream and one really nice fresh veg. Maybe a leaf salad.

For pud, I'd do rice pudding every time, with nutmeg.

God I'm hungry.

lilolilbethlehem · 09/12/2008 21:53

To make a change, try making rice pudding with coconut milk rather than ordinary milk (or a combination of both)It is gorgeous and light. I sometimes top with sugar and brulee. Lovely served with baked apple slices or soft fruits.

WinkyWinkola · 09/12/2008 21:54

And if you do mash, put some steamed carrots in too. And lots of butter. It's amazing.

onebatmotherofgoditschilly · 09/12/2008 21:55

god, that sounds goo lilolil

janeite · 09/12/2008 21:56

Lilo - you are clearly the queen of puddings. Do you take orders?!

There's another yummy one actually: Queen Of Puddings.