Holiday dinner plans

[Wyvern]

Hey all.

What are your plans ???

I was going to step it up a notch for the holiday dinner (usually about 20)
But my Thanksgiving feast was so amazing that I have been asked do do it again.

I am lucky to have open minded eaters and this year I made a TurDucKen,

gotta say it was fab !!!

I am my worst critique and will this time pan fry, or broil for a bit, the Duck and Chicken skin before assembly.




I have a step by step if ya all want to try it ...

[Racerbvd]

None..

[dan88911]

Tried of planning it. Going just let it happen. Whatever will be, will be.

[Wyvern]

Yup ... option 2 is always in place with the local Chinese place being open

[Wyvern]

"racerbvd" I will make you a TurDucKen if you find me some wheels ....

[Dueller]

The stepkids usually spend christmas lunch with their paternal grandmother. Wife and I throw an annual christmas night party so we forego dinner to prepare for that...a very casual, word of mouth "Merry Martini" gathering. We provide finger food, specialty martini's, beer and wine. Its to celebrate that the holidays are finally coming to aq close. Lots of folks show up (usually 60-75+) because most places are closed, they have cabin fever and they're sick of dealing with relatives Last year I was cooking breakfast for about 20 or so hangers on at 5:00 a.m. ... Last guest left at 7:30 a.m.

When wife and I were dating we asked the kids (then 12 and 14 y.o.) what they wanted for a christmas eve dinner...let them pick the menu. It has become a family tradition they look forward to every year: Cajun shrimp boil (shrimp, new potatos, corn on the cob, sausage all boiled together outside) and seasoned curly fries. Homemade ice cream for dessert. I even enjoy it

[imcarthur]

We are hosting two dinners. I am lead chef for both.

Christmas day with 14 - 16 people. A sit-down dinner of T-bone roast beef + pork schnitzel. We are skipping turkey because of the mess & it isn't a fav here. The schnitzel is mandatory for a Hungarian dinner. I even mastered making tarhonya - a Hungarian dried & then fried & rehydrated pasta staple - which will please the crowd immensely since grandma's arthritis has curtailed her tarhonya making days.

Then a smaller dinner for 8 with our kids on Sunday - probably schnitzel & tarhonya again.

Ian

[The Gaijin]

.

This is us.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by dan88911

Tried of planning it. Going just let it happen. Whatever will be, will be.

Same here but the turducken does sound nice! Chinese always is welcome!

[johnco]

looks like I'll be having fried turkey for the first time in 3 years. I'm frying 4-5 wed for a company party, 3-4 thurs for another party and 3 more fri.

[jyl]

We don't have much planned this year.

XMas eve - we always have cracked crab, it is a family tradition for wife. Will have 6 others over. Trying to decide on side dishes and an alternate main for those who don't like crab.

Last week I made a nice veg side of carrots braised in beer, sugar, and butter, then glazed w/ the reduced liquid, but the glazing was a bit too thin, so may re-do it to get it right this time. I also have an escargot craving so may do that for appetizer. May do a carbonara for the alternate main.

XMas day - going to sister's for dinner. I'm to bring something but have not decided what. There is another dish I'd like to re-do to make it better, peeled chestnuts braised in port, then candied, so may do that one.

We have been late on everything this Xmas - got the tree later than usual, got decorations up very late, still doing shopping. For whatever reason our usual "schedule" slipped. Including figuring out menus.

[Burnin' oil]

I just show up where I am told, eat and drink what is given to me, take a nap, and go home.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Burnin' oil

I just show up where I am told, eat and drink what is given to me, take a nap, and go home.

Wise man!

[Zef]

Will be there...(Cancun).



Eating this...

[Hugh R]

Brother who lives three doors down is bringing a turkey, BIL is bringing over the peanut oil deep frier for another turkey, and honey-baked ham. No driving for me this year.

[jtfreels]

We'll do Christmas lunch at my Mom's and then dinner at my wife's parents (both families are within a 10 mile radius). Both will be very traditional.

But I what I really want are tamales, I guess I'll make those Saturday.

Have a Merry Christmas.

Jay

[Jim Richards]

Same holiday spread as we do for Thanksgiving, except we'll replace the turkey with a pork roast. Mmmmm.

[vash]

jeez...thanks for the tamale hunger.

i am going for the standard holiday dinner. but it will be in denver.

LOTS OF WINE!

[Wyvern]

Nice ... I like the family traditions ..

Growing up all over the world (mostly Australia and South Africa) and my job as a restaurant consultant I love something new or different.
From Vegimite sammies on the beach Christmas day to Indian curry, to Abel Skivers. One year was a make it yourself Taco with crab, shrimp, pulled pork, buffalo, Al Pastor, or a mushroom vege scramble.

The meal is a big part of the holidays for me and, YES the bar I set up is always a hit.

I have a gallon of vodka with 1/2 a pound of cranberries in it.
and another gallon with black pepper corns .

The infused hootch is the basis for many interesting drinks

[vash]

black peppercorn vodka is a great first step for a fantastic bloody mary...but that is for breakfast the next morning.