New Years day - I'm hosting

[pontipinemum]

I've invited my mum and my ILs (MIL/FIL/SIL) around for New Years day. It's something we used to do pre-covid, couldn't last year as MIL was very very ill. Thankfully seems to be well on the mend this year so I thought I'd re-start it.

What is your go to for New Years day? We are cattle farmers so I was thinking of a roast beef or possibly feather blades although they might be too much work for 6 adults. I must say I make them really well though.

Sides, large home made Yorkshires. Then either roasties or garlic spuds. I always do a bit of mash. DH loves it and it can always be frozen. Roasted carrots MIL loves carrots, I'll save some ham water from Christmas and do sprouts I love sprouts.

Cheesecake (DH fav) and Chocolate cake (SILs heaven) for dessert. Profiteroles for mum, she's diabetic and not pushed on sweet stuff

Would you do a starter? MIL never does at her house, or does fresh fruit as she thinks it is too heavy. Christmas day I always do potato and leek soup but not too thick

Thoughts? I want it to go well.

You do rather sound like you have the menu all planned out already! Sounds good to me. Personally, I always like a rib of beef - looks so appealing on the table, relatively easy to cook etc.

I would compromise and go for canape/nibbles rather than a starter. Around here, those can be as basic as crisps and store bought dips or if I want to get a bit fancier I'll do things like smoked salmon blinis, baked camemberts, a charcuterie board, pates etc. My sister is a big fan of pre-made, straight-into-the-oven canapés as a convenient, more substantial starter.

Personally I’m sick of toast dinners after Christmas Day! What about a beef wellington, or steak and a winter salad?

Definitely few nibbles rather than sit down starter, I sometimes do that with some kind of deconstructed starters so tiny bit of pate on small square of toast for example or a prawn and bit of lettuce/sauce in a tiny pastry case. Melon balls and mixed grapes good too for anyone who like the lightness of fruit, could carve the melon into a pretty shape to hold them 😁devilled eggs, teeny sausage rolls, smoked salmon bits on brown bread again small. Basically finger food so people can just stand/sit around and chat before the proper lunch begins.

@SpaceOP rib of beef does always look and taste good. Again pre covid I used to do that for DH and FIL at Easter and lamb for the ladies.

@Torganer ILs all despise mushrooms anything I could sub them with? I love beef wellington. What would be a winter salad?

@marylou25 they all sound great and I think I will go for something like that instead of a sit down starter. Our house isn't the greatest set up at all for standing around chatting but we can make it work

Trying to decide now because I will be spending time in my home town in the 'between days' only get back home either the 30th or 31st

Use pate instead of mushrooms in a beef Wellington or wilted spinach which you have pressed as much moisture out of as possible. Is lamb for the ladies because they prefer it?

@MotherOfGodWeeFella I don't like pate. Spinach could work. Yes, we all like beef but DH and FIL don't like lamb, Easter tend to be the only time I cook it as I can't be bothered cooking lamb for 1 and beef for 1. Although a few weeks ago MIL did lamb shanks and cooked me one and sent it over :)

Your menu sounds fab! I do the same meal every year for new years day. Mugs of lentil & bacon soup followed by steak & sausage pie, mashed potato and lots of veg. It's a Scottish tradition. I always make key lime pie as everyone requests it, and a big fruit salad and have ice cream in the freezer if anyone wants it. I always look forward to it more than Christmas dinner.

@TheLadyIsAVamp oh, do you have a recipe for steak and sausage pie? That sounds like something we would love!

Something like this:
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/winter-salad-recipes

@pontipinemum this is pretty much how I do mine but I also add plenty of pepper & a couple of bay leaves. I sometimes use beef sausages instead of pork but my OH prefers pork.

@Torganer they all look good

@TheLadyIsAVamp I've the shopping done for this week but I am def doing that next week it looks really good. I've been to Scotland loads of times inc living there to help out a relative for 2 months. Never came across this

@TheLadyIsAVamp how well do you think that would keep? We are going away for a few nights self catering. Could I pre make that and heat it through when we get there or would it be all soggy? I suppose I could bring the pastry/ filling separate

@pontipinemum I'm not sure sorry. I'd probably do it separately but they sell them ready made in most butchers in Scotland so they may be fine!

I sometimes cheat and order one to be delivered as I'm not in Scotland anymore.

@TheLadyIsAVamp I bet they let the pie filling cool then fill it. I might try that. I am def trying it though it looks great!