Christmas Eve suggestions?
Discussion
Due to family commitments (read pressure) GF and I will be apart on Christmas Day with our own families.
We'll be at home together on Christmas Eve before heading our separate ways the next morning. Question is, what's a nice festive/ luxurious meal that we can enjoy, but not turkey or roast as we'll have enough of that the next day.
I'd like to make it special as it will be our Christmas, so not too bothered about cost
I really am open to any suggestion. TIA.
We'll be at home together on Christmas Eve before heading our separate ways the next morning. Question is, what's a nice festive/ luxurious meal that we can enjoy, but not turkey or roast as we'll have enough of that the next day.
I'd like to make it special as it will be our Christmas, so not too bothered about cost
I really am open to any suggestion. TIA.
Try the scallops as a starter:
Slice the very fresh scallops (three each) very thinly, and lay the pieces evenly on a large plate. Then finely chop two chillis, one red one green without seeds and scatter over the scallops. Then squeeze the juice of one half and maybe a little more fresh lime over the plate to cover. Leave to "cook" in the fridge for about an hour. The acid in the lime juice will lightly cook the scallop slices.
As for a main, try Rick Stein's oriental braised pheasant.
Chablis with starter, Amarone with main.
Sorted.
Slice the very fresh scallops (three each) very thinly, and lay the pieces evenly on a large plate. Then finely chop two chillis, one red one green without seeds and scatter over the scallops. Then squeeze the juice of one half and maybe a little more fresh lime over the plate to cover. Leave to "cook" in the fridge for about an hour. The acid in the lime juice will lightly cook the scallop slices.
As for a main, try Rick Stein's oriental braised pheasant.
Chablis with starter, Amarone with main.
Sorted.
Edited by smiller on Monday 22 December 23:22
Edited by smiller on Monday 22 December 23:26
my family tradition is fish on Xmas eve, so I like your idea! i suggest:
scallops to start is a good idea. If you want an alternative, how about a thick cube of sushi quality tuna seared for 10 seconds per side in a smoking hot pan, thinly sliced with soy sauce and pickled ginger, sashimi style?
for main course i recommend roasting a whole big fish such as a salmon, bream or a monkfish tail. stuff it with sliced lemon, ginger and coriander, and roast in the oven with a little white wine in the pan. to finish it, heat 5 tablespoons of groundnut oil in a wok, quickly drop in crushed dried chillies and minced garlic (only for a few seconds if your oil is really hot) and pour the hot oil over the fish to crisp up top of the fish. mmmm.
serve with rice, or roast potatoes......
scallops to start is a good idea. If you want an alternative, how about a thick cube of sushi quality tuna seared for 10 seconds per side in a smoking hot pan, thinly sliced with soy sauce and pickled ginger, sashimi style?
for main course i recommend roasting a whole big fish such as a salmon, bream or a monkfish tail. stuff it with sliced lemon, ginger and coriander, and roast in the oven with a little white wine in the pan. to finish it, heat 5 tablespoons of groundnut oil in a wok, quickly drop in crushed dried chillies and minced garlic (only for a few seconds if your oil is really hot) and pour the hot oil over the fish to crisp up top of the fish. mmmm.
serve with rice, or roast potatoes......
Venison fillet - rub in olive oil and season well. Put the venison in a smoking hot pan and sear on all sides. Add a knob of butter to the pan and whack in preheated oven at 200C/Gas mark 6 for 5-10 mins dependant on how thick the meat is/how well done you like it. Remove the venison from the pan and keep warm.
Port Gravy - Add a good glug of port to the pan the venison was cooked in and warm gently, maybe add a touch of extra butter!
Roasted butternut squash - Peel and chop into chunky chips. Drizzle olive oil in a large oven dish then scatter in 1 tsp Garam masala, 1/2 tsp Paprika, 1/2 tsp Turmeric. chuck the squash chunks in the dish a give them a good toss to coat them in oil and spices, then roast in the oven at 220C for 15-20 mins. (If using just the 1 oven stick the butternut squash on the top shelf and the venison at the bottom later.)
Enjoy with a nice chunky red wine of you choice!
Port Gravy - Add a good glug of port to the pan the venison was cooked in and warm gently, maybe add a touch of extra butter!
Roasted butternut squash - Peel and chop into chunky chips. Drizzle olive oil in a large oven dish then scatter in 1 tsp Garam masala, 1/2 tsp Paprika, 1/2 tsp Turmeric. chuck the squash chunks in the dish a give them a good toss to coat them in oil and spices, then roast in the oven at 220C for 15-20 mins. (If using just the 1 oven stick the butternut squash on the top shelf and the venison at the bottom later.)
Enjoy with a nice chunky red wine of you choice!
We are having stand an stuff taco's for tea xmas eve tea.
You need shredded lettuce,chopped tomatoes,grated cheese and 500 grams of beef mince.
Then follow the directions on the back of the packet you have previously purchased
Then once the taco's have been baked, fill with mince, lettuce,toms and finally grated cheese, enjoy either with a nice chardonnay, or if you both like beer, a cold continental lager(cobra,peroni,becks or michelob low carb are favourites)
You need shredded lettuce,chopped tomatoes,grated cheese and 500 grams of beef mince.
Then follow the directions on the back of the packet you have previously purchased
Then once the taco's have been baked, fill with mince, lettuce,toms and finally grated cheese, enjoy either with a nice chardonnay, or if you both like beer, a cold continental lager(cobra,peroni,becks or michelob low carb are favourites)
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