Christmas lunch, what to have?

[lambysdad]

Hi all,

I'm currently overseas and will not be home until the 18th Dec, so I'm trying to plan my Christmas meal ahead of getting home. I'm often away for Christmas so not something I would usually do.

There will be 5 of for lunch so I'm thinking of the following as it seems pretty traditional;

Starter:
Prawn cocktail (sounds a bit boring so would like alternatives)

Main:
Turkey (crown as it's easier)
Stuffing balls
Roast potatoes
Pigs in blankets
Roast parsnips
Broccoli
Carrots
Sprouts

I'm not looking to go overboard here (obviously given the above), but would welcome a few suggestions on other things I could include / replace...especially with the starter.

Nothing too fancy as I'm catering for a fussy 20 year old step daughter and a 'traditional' father in law!

Thanks,
Guy.

[AndyHCZ]

How about skipping the starter and doing a nice selection of canapes? If you want to keep with the starter, how about something light like a soup?

On the turkey, I prefer a whole bird. It's really easy remove the breast meat and I love the leftover dark meat for sandwiches etc. This year, I'm probably going to do debone a whole turkey and roll it with stuffing.

[lambysdad]

Thanks.
I do prefer a whole Turkey, I'll see if there are any decent ones around when I get home.
Just trying to get my list together, been away for a few weeks so there will be a lot to do once I get back to Blighty!

[escargot]

'Posh' prawn cocktail using prawns, smoked salmon and crayfish tails?

[krunchkin]

a couple of festive twists for you - after parboiling the spuds shake them in a mixture of flour, tangerine zest and thyme, then roast in Rapeseed Oil

and boil your carrots in freshly squeezed OJ before roasting them in a shallow bath of it.

[lambysdad]

escargot said:

'Posh' prawn cocktail using prawns, smoked salmon and crayfish tails?

I like the sound of this!

[rehab71]

Braised red cabbage! Yum!

[rehab71]

Cauliflower cheese with some leeks in it!?

[lambysdad]

Well after much thought I've decided to make life easy and go with this;
http://christmasfood.marksandspencer.com/basket/

No shopping, no prep, good quality, hassle free meal...and there'll be enough Turkey left over for sandwiches!

Arranged to collect on 23rd December and very much looking forward to it

[miniman]

rehab71 said:

Cauliflower cheese with some leeks in it!?

I really like this, with some bacon & Parmesan breadcrumbs on top. Nom.