This week the Rock My Ltd WhatsApp group has been popping out notifications left, right and centre on the recipe front. Is there one dish you’re still to decide then hopefully this delve into our own ovens will prove helpful.
We’re eating at my sister’s house on Christmas Day and it’ll be a traditional fayre of turkey and beef. As I’m a pescatarian my Mum is very kindly rustling up a beetroot tart to have with all the sides and a boatload of mushroom gravy.
Starters and Canapes
I’m in charge of the starter and I had some grand plans for canapés based on some of these absolutely delicious looking ones from Brit.co. However after realising my brother-in-laws oven is going to be full with all the trimmings for the main Christmas dinner, he’s not going to want me swanning about trying to ram a tray of tarlets in next to his roast potatoes. Plus we’re going to be travelling most of Christmas morning so time is of the essence.
I feel it’s a bit of a cop-out but instead I’m going for the old favourite of a baked brie with figs, walnuts and pistachios. It’ll take up minimal room in the oven leaving more time for prosecco drinking. I also figured the littles ones will be more than happy to pick off the garnish and dip their crusty bread into the gooey cheese while we open our presents.
However Lottie sent me this recipe for a camembert cranberry snowflake which looks so easy and I’m sure I could do a few twists without the bacon. I might do this one when we have a few friends over between Christmas and New Year.
Mains
Nigella’s Ham in Coke has been doing the rounds for many years. I’ve never tasted it but it’s a massive hit in our family. Controversially a family friend has just tried out Ham in Ginger Ale which is sure to be another sticky, juicy dish.
Vegetarian Mains
On Wednesday we also have a few of our friends heading around for mockmas before they head off to the snowy slopes of Canada for a Christmas honeymoon. I’m not jealous at all. I’ll be serving up a Moroccan Spiced Pie which I made several years ago. It’s a filo pie so easy to construct even if the squash and nut filling takes a bit of time. If anyone fancies making it then a cheat is to go for shop bought homous rather than make your own.
Sides
Lottie recommends these Parmesan Baked Parsnips which would be great on boxing day with a creme fraiche dip. That’s if there are any left of course.
Amy chimed in with these amazing Parmesan Cups which you can fill with all manner of things for canapes, though Amy loads hers with brussels and pancetta.
Desserts
The Mann household like to dip into a Panettone Bread and Butter Pudding. Lottie recommends sprinkling on pecans and demerera and spreading each slice of panettone with butter and jam for some extra calories!
Tipples
Laura loves a Salted Caramel White Russian courtesy of Kate La Vie which I’m yet try but it looks epic.
Laura’s family are actually tucking into an amazing seafood feast on Christmas day rather than the traditional turkey. What are you eating next Monday? Any go-to recipes that might help someone who still has a course to finalise? Also, what time do you eat on the big day? Are you a one o’clocker or do you wait until after the Queen’s speech?
P.S. The absolutely stunning image you see in the header was captured by Veronika Ward and you can find out more details about the shoot in tomorrow’s post.
We love a panettone bread & butter pudding in this house as well! Yum!
Loving all the Xmas posts, we just moved house on Sunday so feels very unxmasy at home so nice to read the posts while unpacking to try & keep in the festive mood 🙂
Oh Nicola, huge congrats on the house move. It must feel good to be in before Christmas though. Good luck with the unpacking x
I FEEL YOUR PAIN
#fishandchips
Jamie’s (as in Oliver) Panatone Winter Bomb! Super easy and amazingly Christmassy! A must in our house!
Will have to check that one out Sarah! x
Oh my gosh. Adding this to my list to make. Yum.?
I always make this white choc Yule log for Christmas Day dessert, it’s indulgent without being heavy and is a lovely way to spend an hour or two on Christmas Eve: https://www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/recipes/desserts/white-chocolate-buche-de-noel?
Although as our first baby showed up just 5 days ago I’m not sure I’ll get chance this year! We have however ordered a three bird roast from M&S so my hubby can just shove it in the oven with some pre prepared sides and we can eat at some point between feeds 😀
Congratulations on your new arrival Kate. The M&S roast was a great move for you guys! Have a wonderful Christmas as a family of three x
I’m a pescatarian too Lauren and it’s grilled lobster for me every Christmas Day. Can’t wait!
I always make a Black Forest trifle with kirsch soaked chocolate Swiss roll, kirsch cherries, black cherry jelly, cacao custard and loads of whipped cream and grated chocolate on top. Super easy and super yum.
Since my daughter was born we’ve found ourselves waiting till after her bedtime to eat, after the fun and mayhem of the day, we enjoy the chance to sit down in peace and have an adult conversation while taking time to savour the food. The romance of a family Christmas lunch wears thin when you have a toddler refusing to eat their vegetables and demanding more Christmas crackers so we’ve found it works much better this way!
Hope you have a super day Lauren!
Oooooh Philippa – such a super swanky menu! I like it!
Great idea to wait until after bedtime. Hope you all have a wonderful day too x
We’re usually late (think 4pm) Christmas lunchers, but with my mother coming over this year it’ll have to be on the table by midday or she’ll be in the kitchen asking if the oven’s broken down! Not a huge turkey fan so we usually go for a three bird roast with honey glazed veg on the side.
Must try Nigella’s ham at some point – might do it for New Years!
It’s a good one to feed a crowd Becca. Get yourself a big pan though!
That baked brie looks divine! I shall be pinching this for my Christmas eve picky dinner! X
Love a picky dinner Sarah 🙂
My hubby and I have really varied Christmas meals – we are always turkeyed out by the big day. This year we are having tapas! We will be having meats and cheeses with crusty bread, chipolatas cooked in honey, chorizo in red wine, potatas bravas and a few other bits.
Last year we had roast pheasant, which was delicious! And the year before a venison and red currant stew. We just chucked everything in the slow cooker in the morning and got on with our day. With so much going on we try to keep things simple.
Tapas is such a good idea Claire! Slow cooking is also such a good shout too. My mum usually does braised red cabbage in hers.
We’ve got my auntie coming for Christmas dinner this year, and as she wants to drive home before it gets dark, we are going to have to sit down for the turkey at 1pm. Rich is horrified at this! His family usually eats much later x
We’ve always eaten later on too and I’m so glad my boyfriend’s family does the same as we’re off there this year. His parents are pescatarian, I’m vegetarian and my boy and his two brothers want turkey! So there’s going to be a turkey crown, pig and blanket, some nice fish and a nut roast! We’ve offered to take pudding, I’m going to make my super easy sticky toffee pudding, we’ve bought a posh Christmas pud and I’m taking cheese and biscuits too as I’m worried about being hungry in the evening and being at someone else’s house without options!
Ooh and for those that like a lighter pud, I’m making Nigella’s margarita ice cream at some point, it’s amazing!
Bunny I am lol-ing at the range of puddings that you are having to take in case you’re hungry at someone else’s house! Enjoy x
I always do a couple of ducks on Christmas Day with all the trimmings, then chuck the legs in the slow cooker the next day with some other bits to make Boxing Day cassoulet, yummy!