Side dishes to go with So Much Pork (and just btw, Xmas kind of sucks)

[Dustyblue]

It was my turn to host the (usual and never-bloody-ending) family xmas lunch this year. We're in Australia but they all still want Roast Turkey, Baked Ham, all the delicious roasted vegetables in the universe, gravy, stuffing etc.

Not to mention the pudding made in October, and the Fruit Cake made after that. Hmm, would you like the same thing steamed or baked? With hot brandy sauce or cold? Marzipan topping on the baked version? Perhaps a minced pie (please kill me now).

I said No, quite stridently, for many reasons other than the obvious.

Luckily my brother picked up the ball, and we're having BBQ at his place. Blessed be- I only need to make 2 sides for what seems like a lot of pork:

1. A porchetta-rolled turkey breast (bbq)
2. Pork ribs (bbq)
3. Roast suckling pig, pre-ordered from the local Chinese business who don't give a fig about Xmas day

All I can think of to cut through all that pork fat is coleslaw, fresh green salad, um, something else?

Any ideas appreciated, at least it's not my party this year

Something really sour.

Red cabbage. Which I don’t like, but DP serves with pork and everyone else seems to like it.

Cranberries are festive and also pleasantly sour.
So I would have a cranberry dish.

Apple sauce
Sauerkraut

that deserves a Bah Humbug

crunchy ramen salad
cut up fruit platter or fruit salad
cowboy caviar

pigs in a blanket

Pineapple salsa (spring onion, tomatoes, coriander, sesame, lime juice, chilli, soy)

Definitely apple sauce, and yes some kind of slaw maybe but if you prefer a hot sauce, Cumberland is great, and easy to make!

You say everyone insists on the whole Turkey/ham with all the trimmings but then say your db is doing a bbq with pork. So you didn't have to do the traditional thing after all.

Lots of cider!

By that point the family had no choice but to accept DB's offer. But you're right, turns out I could have escaped without doing the full shebang. I'll know better next year!

However, no way would I cook that much pork.

Thanks all- I can't believe I forgot about red cabbage. Will do that.

Or a vinegary coleslaw- probably not both. Bit much cabbage.

Cumberland sauce looks lovely! I'd heard of it but not tried it, excellent tip!

Something with mango and chilli

I’ve always wanted to have a go at doing a porchetta. There’s an amazing recipe in one of the Jamie Oliver books. I’d probably do it with pickles or spiced red cabbage.

Coleslaw to cut through the fat (more popular than red cabbage)
A Fresh Waldorf salad
vinegar based curried rice salad

Asian style noodle salad with pak choy, salad onions, mango, red peppers etc soy & sweet chilli dressing.

Waldorf salad, use black grapes instead of sultanas, as more visually interesting.

Pasta salad with pesto & rocket or other bitter leaves, cheap, cheerful and minimal effort.

Pico de Gallo - I just do finely chopped red onion, tomatoes, coriander, chilli, and lime. You can add some sweetcorn or finely chopped pineapple too if you want more sweetness.

Also recommend Dishoom's Chilli Broccoli Salad really crunchy and virbrant, every time I have made this for someone they have asked for the recipe.

An apple 'slaw' would be nice with that much pork or maybe something like celery nut and sultana
(which I also make with apple). Let your mayo down a bit by combining with natural yoghurt for a lighter dish.

@Dustyblue Vodka, maybe with a bit of tonic.

pantryandlarder.com/what-to-serve-at-a-pig-roast/

I think you're right about coleslaw being the more popular version.

Would never have considered Waldorf Salad, great idea! "Celery, apples, walnuts grapes, in a mayonnaise sauce" a la Basil Fawlty.

"Sorry Sir, I think we're all out of Waldorfs"

Totally making it, my eldery father will love it 😂

If you can get sprouts.... stir fried shredded sprouts. With Bacon bits, to keep the pork theme going.

I do love a sprout, might add to the coleslaw?

I think we've enough pork. Although, the more I type that word, the more I remember the last time I had suckling roasted pig at my DB's house, from their local Chinese. The skin is like glass. Mmm.

Taa again for all the ideas