Christmas Eve dinner - the right sides that's not traditional roast dinner

26 replies

SpaceOP · 28/11/2025 10:42

I have in laws coming on Christmas eve. I don't want to do a full traditional christmas dinner because a) we'll be having a big one the next day with my family and b) in laws are notoriously unreliable and all over the place so it will just make me angry when they're late/ only eating yellow food/ bring extra guests/ cancel at the last minute etc etc etc.

Last year, I did a slow cooked leg of lamb and did lots of mediterranean cold sides - baba ganoush, tzatiki, tabbouleh etc - and then served with flatbreads. It worked very well and I was much less stressed.

But I just don't want to do that this year. I think the slow cooked lamb is still a good idea. And I like the mediterranean vibe, but I think I want to do hot food.

Ideas?

Must be stuff I can largely make in advance and won't be ruined by sitting for a while (for all the above reasons).

I was thinking greek lemon potatoes? Maybe something with beans? other ideas?

OP posts:

101Alsatians · 29/11/2025 08:57

JPA · 28/11/2025 13:36

Since you are thinking Greek you could try the following:

Pastitsio/makaronia tou fournou. Can be made in advance and can be eaten hot or cold
Keftedes. Dito. Bonus is that they have a stuffing balls vibe.
Skordalia. Awesome garlicy dip that looks a bit like bread sauce and works well with just about anything.
Fasolakia Yiahni. Green beans stewed in a tomato sauce. You can add the potatoes here too if you wish.
Koupepia. Rice and meat stuffed vine leaves. You can easily make this vegy if desired and can be eaten hot or cold.

For sweets you can try:

Melomakarona. Honey cookies.
Kourabiedes. A type of shortbread.

Relatively cheap ingredients is a bonus.

Not sure about macaronia tou fourno cold...lovely as it is,way better hot.Koupepia maybe but still prefer hot.

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