What will you be cooking on Xmas Eve

[LadyPenelope]

We've got 2 friends staying over Xmas so there will be 4 adults for dinner on Xmas Eve. What will you all be cooking? I'd love to do something which I can cook ahead of time cos guess we'll try to do veg and stuff for Xmas Day on Xmas eve too... Any inspiration oh wise MN cooks?

Our family tradition... since I was about 12 is to get a Chinese Takeaway on xmas eve to save anyone cooking when you know it will be a mad day xmas day. Just a suggestion...

cakes we have a big cake party so loads of different cakes adn usually some savoury nibbles

It's a bit of a tradition now in our house to get a chinese take-away on christmas Eve. We all look forward to it and after all the rushing around leading up to it I think I deserve it!

I hadn't even thought about it yet! Lasagna sounds good, though.

Thanks for all the suggestions - all sound great! Was most swayed by the fish pie since I love fish pie ... and like the idea of fish since C.Eve is a Friday. In the end have opted for a Jamie Oliver fish recipe (monk fish wrapped in bannana leaves with chilli, coconut milk etc.) I can prepare all the ingrediants ahead of time and then throw it together quickly and it only takes about 15 mins to cook. Rice in the rice cooker. We can have fruit and mince pies for pud. Decided we need something light(ish) since we live in Singapore ... it already seems crazy doing the full Xmas dinner on Xmas Day but I love it so we will be doing it anyway! Thanks for the inspiration - it was the fish pie idea that got me to the recipe book and then I found this idea. Thanks!

im not a good cook in the slightest so i make fillet steak with pepper sauce, veg and salad, then cheesecake with fruit for pud.

its easy even for me!

have a nice xmas

We always have a takeaway curry on Christmas eve. It is a tradition (in our house). We rarely have takeaways the rest of the year and usually I spend Christmas eve preparing food for the holidays so it's nice to have a take away that takes no thought. Not much help to you however. I would stick to something simple that can be made in advance and reheated. What about potato bake; layers of thinly sliced potato, garlic & grated cheese & seasoning between each layer with some cream poured over (not too much) and cheese on top. Cover with foil. Bake at about 150 C for two hours (or until potatoes are cooked through) take foil off and return to oven for 15 minutes. Smells wonderful,tastes delicious, serve with a green vegetable and a chunky homemade/bottled? toato sauce.

A chuck in the oven dinner i.e fish and chips at lunch time as we're out in the evening.

we are going out to pizza express ds says that is better than xmas lunch!But fish pie is a great idea

ahh i've just got me and mum as dh and all smalls spending day at grandma's while I prepare veg and listen to 9 lessons on the radio...anyway we are having fish too, just baked salmon fillet in a bit of lemon juice and butter, boiled tates and peas, keeping it nice and light as others say. Interestign that so many of us are goign for fish on friday.

Tourtiere, a Quebec meat pie traditionally served at Christmas, pastry with minced pork and lamb, spices etc. I'll serve with salad, baguette and red wine. The recipe makes two pies, I'll freeze the other for later!

We will be having an Indian take away. Yum!!!!
I am not cooking at all over Christmas. At my mum's on Christmas day, mil boxing day and am bridesmaid at a wedding on Monday so will be having a sit down meal.

I will be having this lovelty \link{http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/expeditions/mariana/images/annsoupy/kids-easter%20soupy%20closeup.jpg\meat dish)

here

Have you been at the sherry again codwallop???

I'm doing paella - not very traditional, I know, but....the kids love it - expecially the shellfish!

It also seemed to be a bit of a lighter option before the Christmas food started!