Christmas Dinner for 17 HELP!

natlie

Hi
you can cook all your veg ready to warm up later, if you did a big piece of meat this can be sliced up ready and warmed in a big pan in the gravy which makes it moist (this can also be made in advance) yorkshire puds can be reheated too as can stuffing

I think you could manage that type food fine.

Other options

Flan of some sort (like a big quiche) but do it with salmon and broccoli or goats cheese and tomatoes make it a bit posh this can be reheated. do new potatoes and salad with it - easy, you could make one meat one fish and one veggie then.

HTH
Nat
xxx

mikeywills

I think you are absolutely mad Gem_.

The thought of cooking for 17 to start with would put my head in a spin with weights and measures.

I would suggest that the turkey be out of the question, how about getting some 2 for £5 chickens from the supermarket precooked, carving those and setting aside on a plate.

I would seriously consider asking others if they could contribute and bring an item, perhaps a buffet style help yourself meal would be better.

You could have cold meats, bacon wrapped sausages, I have always preferred the boxing day leftovers from the day before fried off in a pan this could be an option. Ask those that are coming that you know that are coming from work, if they could put extra on the night before, you obviously won't be there to do this yourself. And bring it mashed in a bowl with a spare frying pan on the day. It only takes a few minutes to warm this up.

Some salad items, New potatoes if you have any forced in the greenhouse at the moment, Cranberries of course. Aldi have a nice selection of cranberries sauces very reasonably priced at the mo.

Concentrate on the extras, side dishes and pudding choices. These can be prepared in advance especially chrimbo pud.

Most important of all, as the hostess, make sure the OH pulls their weight. No boozing, just getting everyone drinks some proper assistance will definately be required.

Good luck with whatever you do, personally I would have booked a carvery restaurant, as this would probably work out cheaper for you in the long run.

lynzpower

I actually dont tihnk this is that bad dare I say it.

I wouldnt bother to have people bringing stuff, makes it very hard to plan the meal really

1. lay table
2. the rotisserie chicken is a great idea I like that
3. peel carrots/ potatoes/ snips and roast in a big oven tray
4. do a stuffing ( a packet one will suffice for time saving ) make it up cook it then it can be warmed on the bottom of the oven
5. Id buy cranberry sauce/ bread sauce etc from M&S or somewhere
6. Xmas puds can be done in the microwave- I dont think this is bad at all - I often have them done in the micro
7. steam/ boil veg on hob ( peas/ sprouts)

As long as your not cooking the meat there shouldnt be *that* much extra to get in the oven the only thing that would need to be in would be a big roasting tin ( or 2, one on each shelf) of carrots/snips/pots and loads of stuffing in say a lasagna dish on the bottom of the oven

Id be more worried where everyone is going to sit!

Gem_

lynzpower wrote:

Id be more worried where everyone is going to sit!

You have a good point there!! I think people will up on the arms of the sofa etc. The floor could be dangerous as the dog will be keen to help them finish up

Keep the suggestions coming - I am busy making notes ....

inkie

Lets assume that not everyone has to eat the same thing- why not provide lots of different things (a la hot buffet style), and then get the guests to bring them along - allocate thngs like:

hot dish for 6
roast potatoes for 8
boiled potatoes for 8
hot dish for 6
hot dish for 6

depending upon how many guest units you have - you could ask for more. This way, you will only have the veg to do (which can easily be done in a steamer), and the pudding to provide. Oh, and get them to bring a bottle too.

pigpen

they'd have to bring their own plates to my house!! lol

And I'd have them doing the washing up unless you have a DW (dishwasher not 'dear wife' lol I just realised how that read)

I have some HUGE cauldron style stockpots.. £10 for 4 from T.J. Hughes.. bargain.. but a lot of places sell them now.. fabulous for stacking up with veggies.

I cook for 10 on a normal day and up to 15 if people visit.. which is often!! so it just means a bit more in the pan to me.. scary if you are not used to it though.

I'd probably reschedule actually given you are travelling so far that day.. just in case there is a delay.. snow or rain or whatever, you know how reliable these trains are.

I'd probably go to Farmfoods or Iceland or somewhere and buy bags of frozen veggies, they just need defrosting and warming up. The cooked meats are a good idea, Asda do some lovely cooked sausages too.

Starters I'd buy ready prepared salad and some prawns and marie rose sauce.. prawn cocktails.. and maybe melon for the fishless guests.

Desserts .. absolutely.. microwave the christmas pud and have cream and ice cream. Maybe fancy ice cream with fresh fruit salads for those who hate cake with dead flies in (ie me!)

Drinks should be on them!!!

Have fun!