Christmas food poll

sushisamba · December 2011

Two part question, because I'm going grocery shopping tonight and need ideas:

1. What do you plan on cooking / eating for dinner on Christmas day?

2. What should I cook on Christmas, given that it's just going to be me and DH, but we'd still like something somewhat special? We were leaning away from turkey and DH isn't a huge fan of ham.

JaneGold · December 2011

1. H and I are doing Christmas by ourselves in NYC this year so we are just going out to eat Sad (I was actually going to ask you for recs last week sushi, but I think we have things figured out now.)

2. Growing up, we always did ham for Christmas dinner, but if your H doesn't like it, what about duck or goose? You could probably just buy a breast or two since it's just going to be the two of you. I'm a vegetarian so I always just ate the side dishes - my favorite being homemade au gratin potatoes.

cortneyloo · December 2011

I'm a bit turkey and hammed out so we're making cranberry pork loin. We'll probably not go too fancy with sides since I've done a lot of cooking lately, so I've not put much thought into that part of the meal yet.

karimychel · December 2011

Dh and I are celebrating alone this year, as well.

We're having a prime rib roast with horseradish sauce, truffled potatoes of some sort, and baked spinach.

eeeeva · December 2011

1. In my family we usually have some Polish food. Kind of celebrating heritage and all that stuff. So we have Kielbasa and sauerkraut (I'm still not a fan.) and Pierogis which I am a fan. Along with the usual American stables, ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables.

I can't think of what my In Laws do. I know they'll have a ham, but beyond that I can't remember. I do know they aren't vegetable people so it's always a little different for me. My family eats a lot of vegetation so my plate feels empty with out it.

2. I think if it was just Dh and I. I would make a turkey, or turkey breasts. My friend just gave me her grandma's recipe that includes covering the turkey in bacon overnight and baking it with the bacon on it. Yum

My random other thoughts:

My Dh made a standing rib roast one year that was amazing. I have always wanted to have that for Christmas.

Since you are in the UK could you do a game hen or quail? It would still be a bird and cook similar to regular poultry but be a bit different.

sushisamba · December 2011

Now I'm getting hungry :-)

We thought about duck or goose or some other game, but I've never done those before or know how complicated. We'll probably end up walking around WholeFoods and see what inspires us!

eeeeva, I LOVE pierogis! I have an old family recipe at home, but I can't get up the nerve to try to make them. We recently discovered an awesome Polish restaurant close by, and we'll probably be making a bunch of visits there over the winter because its such good comfort food.

eeeeva · December 2011

Sushi you and your DH should make some they are the best. It's easy if you have someone to help you make them.

Here is my Grandma's recipe for the dough. I fill them with a variety of things from lean ground meat and goat cheese, to potato, onion and cheddar.

I make a bunch at one time and freeze them so I can eat my heart out later too.

Pierogi Dough ingredients

2 cups flour, plus extra for kneading and rolling dough

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1/2 cup sour cream, plus extra to serve with the pierogi

1/4 cup butter, softened and cut into small pieces

Making the Dough:

To prepare the pierogi dough, mix together the flour and salt. Beat the egg, then add all at once to the flour mixture. Add the 1/2 cup sour cream and the softened butter pieces and work until the dough loses most of its stickiness (about 5-7 minutes). Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes or overnight; the dough can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Each batch of dough makes about 12-15 pierogies, depending on size. I usually make two of these. So I can make a lot at one time to freeze and eat later.

Making the Pierogis

Roll the pierogi dough on a floured board or counter top until 1/8" thick. Cut circles of dough with a cookie cutter or drinking glass. ( I use a Pint glass. It works perfectly. My Grandma uses an empty tuna can. They are the same size. .Place a small ball of filling (about a tablespoon) on each dough round and fold the dough over, forming a semi-circle. I wet the edge of the inside of the dough and fold the two edges together. Some people use the tins of a fork. Whatever you decide to use make sure the edges are sealed or else when you are boiling them they open up. Not cool.

Boil the pierogies a few at a time in a large pot of water. They are done when they float to the top (about 8-10 minutes). Rinse in cool water and let dry. If the dough is too thick they will never float but sink to the bottom like stones.

Once they are dry, Saut? chopped onions until they are soft and pan fry until lightly crispy.

karimychel · December 2011

Sushi - You can pre-order a dinner from WholeFoods.

Also - check out their website, I know they usually have awesome recipes listed for the holidays. Maybe it will give you some inspiration.

blenderdance · December 2011

1. We're doing beef tenderloin at my parents' on Christmas Eve. I'm making ham on Christmas for DH's family. I'll also make potatoes, mac and cheese, rolls, corn, and salad.

2. I would either do a beef tenderloin or lobster if it were just the two of us.

abarber340 · December 2011

Our big family meal is Christmas Eve. This year we're doing a Mexican theme. In the past we've always done lasagna so there will be a small pan of lasagna as well to keep that tradition alive.

On Christmas day we'll be driving home. Fast food? We've never done a traditional American style Christmas.