Hi everyone. Son and his fiance will be arriving on Christmas day morning after a 11 hour flight
. Can anyone give me any ideas on what to do for Christmas dinner, as they probably won't be hungry till later on in the day - but I want to have the food ready, so that we can eat whenever the mood gets us.
Am not a good cook (pls see my thread about overcooked biscuits) but want to make a nice spread. Will do the turkey that can be eaten cold, but would appreciate any ideas.

Thanks a lot

Have a ham, too, and Jersey Bennes and a really nice salad and you're away laughing and able to enjoy their company! And lovely food to make the next few days easy to cater for.
Stephanie

Raewyn how about a lovely fresh brunch that will revitalise them after their flight and then have a dinner meal later in the day?

We do Christmas brunch at around 10 ish which consists of
bowl of mixed berries - strawberries, blueberries, raspberries
large bowl/box of cherries
fresh orange juice
croissants (bought frozen and then baked prior to eating)
tomato, basil and bacon for filling croissants for those who want
eggs as requested
pain au chocolat (as in chocolate croissants - frozen as above)
bubbly for those who want it.

Late afternoon I do
ham
jersey bennie potatoes
salad
Christmas pud

None of this would challenge a cook yet it all tastes great!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/01/2006 12:42AM by helen.

Raewyn, we all had to start somewhere with our cooking
Don't be put off by overcooked biscuits. We all need to get to know our ovens, and next time you will be watching those bickies, wont you?, so they don't overcook.
The suggestions made above are great in my opinion. I would go with Helen's suggestion......sounds lovely to me!!!!
And remember on a special day, your company is as important as the food on your table, so keep it simple and enjoy yourself. Your guests will be richer for your relaxed pressence. The love and caring of people at your dinner table is priceless!!! That's what memories are made of.
Have a lovely time
Kind Regards



Raewyn G

Without sounding like a real anti Xmas grinch here, how about, leaving the "Xmas dinner" until boxing Day. After a good nights sleep, they'll probably feel more like eating, socialising and feeling a bit more human. And on Xmas day itself just have your turkey cold, with some salads and perhaps some nice breads. Easy for you, and people can help themselves to either nibble, or something more substantial, depending on their appetite etc.


Linda.

I would perhaps go with Linda`s suggestion, and perhaps have a good kiwi bbq on christmas day, have a nice piece of eye fillet or leg of lamb and do some lovely salads with a pav and fresh fruit to finish and then have a traditional dinner on the boxing day?

Don't worry about the bickkie failure we have all had them. I have had many over the years and when it comes to cake and biscuits a bit of custard and icecream does wonders.
I always set my stove timer for a shorter period of time than the recipe says so I can then check progress and adjust the time to the end even if I think maybe a couple more minutes might be needed I use the timer.
For christmas keep it light and simple and as the others have said it is the company and the atmosphere that makes the day. Maybe an afternoon snooze for everyone is called for you included and then maybe the barbeque idea
Regardless of what you do I'm sure your son will be so pleased to be home and happy to have his fiance with him. Have a lovely family day.
Jean

Thankyou all so much for your lovely words and ideas.

Not sure if u remember or not, but I spend 6 mths of each year in Greece and have asked u for ideas before. (which have always been great)

Just want to say how happy I am to be home and what a lovely country and people we are.

Merry Christmas all

Helen - where do you buy the frozen croissant from? I am assuming they are uncooked?

Four legs good, two legs bad. George Orwell

I flew home from UK on Xmas eve arriving on Boxing Day many years ago.Steve and the boys had postponed Xmas so had had fried egg sandwiches on the 25th!!He then gave me a full cooked breakfast when I got home and a full Xmas dinner at lunch time!! I must admit I was so tired I didn't taste anything and had to show such enthusiasm for his efforts when all I wanted to do was sleep! I go along with the idea of having cold meats and salads available if anybody is hungry and lots of loves and hugs if not!Have a great Xmas.

Frozen croissants and also pain au chocolate using valrhona chocolate come from Sabato.
Gourmet Direct also sell them.
They are beautiful and of course made with real butter as opposed to many bakery croissants which are not.

For anyone interested:

Here in Christchurch I have found frozen uncooked croissants at The Asian Foods Warehouse on Salisbury Street (next to Briscoes) - $15.99 for packs of 25. They are so easy and so yummy when freshly cooked - I just take the number required from the freezer and put them on a baking paper-lined oven tray and leave them in the cold oven overnight. They thaw and continue the proving process so they puff up nicely, then when required the next day it's just a simple matter of cooking them (from memory I think it's 180ºC for 10-15 minutes) and enjoying them - absolutely so yummy that it's difficult to even consider having croissants any way other than fresh from the oven.

Hi Raewyn,
How are you?
I am sure you will have the greatest Christmas Day.
Cold meats, hard boiled eggs a nice salad or two.
some fresh fruit
and you'll be away laughing.
Kindest Regards
Lisa