What do you eat on Christmas Eve?

[mrsruffallo]

Do you cook a meal?
If so, what?

Last year I did a hot buffet for both sides of the family before we all went along to the outdoor Christmas Eve service.

I'm sure I did a tagine thing, possibly a Nigella and a lasagna too.

Christmas cake, mince pies and other baked products for pudding.

I made the mistake of having the enormous teetering pile of Rocky Road on display so naturally all the children had one tiny bite of the lasagna and then got stuck into the rocky road mountain.

I won't be making that mistake again this year.

DH likes hot ham sandwiches Christmas eve evening

Roast gammon in Guinness, mashed potato and broccoli,
Delia's poached pears in marsala with creme fraiche for pud, usually at lunchtime.

Pate/cheeses with biscuits, nuts, dried fruits, mince pies, anything we can pick at in front of the TV in evening.

The gammon is fantastic cold, or in sandwiches. I tend to freeze any excess sliced in the gravy to enjoy in the New Year. (After Boxing Day if there's still a lot left.)

Whatever we fancy, no set dish. Smoked salmon for me. Think I will get some this year and some party food.

Nigella's ham in coke, jacket spud and red cabbage, apple tart after.

dh often makes something nice because usually i'm working and on xmas day we travel 3 hours or 5 hours depending which family we are off to see
so xmas eve we have our own little xmas
dcs get all present snot brought by FC or whatever family we're visiting and me and dh hand over pressies for each other
I try to relax whilst also mentally making lists in my head of things i musnt forget to pack

xmas next yr will be at home 100%

Roast ham, it's DH's family tradition. Not quite up to girlywhirly's standard - just with mash, veg & mustard - but might try to be a bit more adventurous this year.

We also start on all the Christmas treats, chocs, sherry etc, and the cake - my favourite part.

takeaway

so much easier and a treat in itself(we have soem very yummy ones here)

Clearly I don'tmean kebabs,anyone eating kebabs on Christmas Eve must surely be 17 or seriosuly worrying!

chinese takeaway and humans.

we start our christmas celebrations on christmas. Pork or lamb roast depending on who is over. It is truely lovely a nice quiet family meal.

Once it's dark we all get wrappen up and go for a walk around looking at the Christmas lights, and checking points of entry for Santa in each house (just incase they don't have a fireplace - DS gets very worried).

Then we all get home and DC's get a bath and into PJs etc whilst I cook some bacon for some delicious bacon rolls. Followed by mince pies, marshmallows and hot chocolate.

It's the best thing ever, the DC's love it, there is no hassle with the prep or cooking, washing up is a bare minimum, and it is as cheap as chips.

I can't wait, the kids may not get many presents this year, or a huge fancy dinner, but I know they will love every second, because the best bits of Christmas always seem to be the cheapest and easiest bits.

Oh I feel all excited and emotional thinking about it

Beans on toast. But I;m liking the idea of an Indian takeaway now

Chilli and rice.
It's the law.

I normally do a baked ham with cumberland sauce

We are going to have a plateau de fruits de mer which I shall get my fishmonger to deliver at about 6pm on Christmas Eve. We will have some home made soup beforehand, and a cake from the pâtisserie afterwards. There will be six adults and one child at the meal.

I am saving my energies for Christmas lunch and the cookathon that entails .

Beans on toast is easier

Usually do fish - herb crusted cod or salmon with lemon-and-garlic wedges and steamed green veg.

Might change it up this year, though...

Yes, but we are only having my POLs over on Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day, so I have to have something a bit special and party-like!

Maine Lobster Pancakes with Pea Shoot Salad and Ginger-Carrot Emulsion.

Or an extra large Dominos.

Ok I'll let you off

lol hf

Nigellas aromatic ham and a party buffet. Lots of wine, followed by Glenmorrangie (DH)and Baileys (Me) whilst watching Scrooge or similar - LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT x

Last year I did Nigella's ham in cherry coke (yum) with her filled potato skins (with bacon and cheese and things in them) - double yum. I also made roast potatoes. We ate that with lots of pickled stuff (onions, gerkins, beetroot, chili jam and chutneys and things). Was fabby. And there was enough left over ham to have in sandwiches on Christmas day / boxing day etc. Think I made a huge pavlova too...... This year I will probably do similar......since it was so good last time.
Or a really good chilli and rice is a great idea....
Or a pulled pork (rub a big bit of boneless pork shoulder with spices and marinate overnight then cook for 6-8 hours until it falls apart - 'pulls' - think Chinese duck-like - oh my goodness it's amazing). Have it with rice, pitta breads, sour cream, guacamole, chilli sauce and salad........ooooh. I want some now.

"Iamanalien Wed 04-Nov-09 19:48:44
chinese takeaway and humans.""

humans??? Is Christmas Eve a cannibalistic celebration where you are

we always have Tartiflette with some green salad and french bread.
I love it but only have it once a year as it's a heart attack on a plate.