Christmas feast food..

pigpen

I've NEVER bought a christmas dinner meat from the butcher before.. but as he is now my brother-in-law I think I should at least part fund my sisters spend habit lol

I have only ever cooked christmas dinner the last 2 years.. I do it on christmas eve so at least the children have had a decent meal that day so they can then eat whatever they like on christmas day.. the one day of the year I don't care if they eat themselves sick on sweets... usually I've had 10 minute sleep so am too tired to eat anything myself.

This year however my vegetarian for 32 years husband is no longer vegetarian.. in fact he has gone completely the other way.. so.. my question (finally)

I want something I can fling in the slowcooker.. and maybe something for the oven. I thought a big piece of pork for the oven.. cooked with chopped leeks an onion and some crushed garlic and herbs.. scrummy.. but I want soemthing else too.

I can't eat beef & I don't like lamb. I don't much want turkey as I don't think it is very nice one it has been reheated. Chicken is a cheap everyday option.. BIL does do goose and duck as alternatives.. but I've never had either and am completely unadventurous when choosing. I am getting a BIG piece of gammon for Boxing day as my family are coming round for dinner and presents. Hubby says we should invite his [strike]bloody[/strike] family too.. my reply was it is MY birthday and I will invite whom I want to!! Juvenile I know lol, there is time to make decisions and change plans here.

The other problem is I don't know how big a bird to buy for everyone.. There are 10 of us (2 adults 8 children, 6 of whom eat mroe than I do!)

my list so far is..

8lb piece of pork (this is intended to do 2-3 meals)
10lb gammon.. probably in 2-3 pieces to reduce cooking time

and a bird of some kind..

what do you suggest and what weight??

TIA

pigpen

PLEASE?? Someone must be experienced in buying birds!!

lavidaloca

There isn't a lot of meat on a goose or duck. We always have a capon which I'm sure your butcher will be able to supply. Very tender and lots of meat.

rosy

I would agree with lavidaloca re the goose, we had what I thought was a huge one last year ( there were five of us eating it & I thought we'd have tons of leftovers but I ended up loading my plate up with mostly trimmings and just a sliver of meat just so there would be enough to go round!) I'd probably go with a decent sized chicken. I've never had a capon before, does it taste any different to an ordinary chicken?

madoldbat

Hi we do a relaxed Christmas day.
Porrige or boiled egg brekkie.
Lunch cold meats ,pie ,cheese & pickles + bread.
Dinner:-
Duck breast 1 each ,roast potatoes,carrott & swead mash,gravy redcurrant sauce followed by sticky toffee pudding.
Duck breast from butcher put on trivet in a roasting tin so fat drips to bottom.
Every thing else via Iceland/m&s Puddings I make around now & freez.
Never cooked a bird for more than 6 so cant help but frozen ones have a portion guide on wrap and cooking time.
How about buffet style your gammon sounds great with pickles,cheese,bread pasta ,potato salads ,green salad how about good old fashioned corronation chicken.You could do a trifel,cake & fresh fruit.

jfdi

Turkey - a 12lb er should be plenty. (Or 15+ if you want a bit left for cold)
If you pre-cook the Gammon too then you could always add some of that if the 'kids' (LOL) need more!

And...........Why not try Venison for the slow cooker? I had some slow-cooked Venison topside (?) couple of months back. The sauce/gravy had onions in it & then the 'cupboard emptyings' - treacle, cranberry, marmalade, etc. Scrummy.

BigMummaF

I was thinking a nice curry or chilli for the slow cooker, & a turkey crown for the oven....a lot less waste & easier to carve if there are lots of people around.

We like having "casserole" made with chicken or turkey from yesterday's roast, assorted veg, tin of condensed soup & little bit of water. Cover with foil & centre of a moderate oven for about 45 mins & serve with rice or pasta.

You can also use the tinned pulses to help the meat go further.

I'm sure that whatever you decide, it will be well received!

So what time shall we come round? heeheehee

pigpen

Madoldbat.. the gammon is for buffet style food on Boxing day.. it is my birthday so if we do 'buffet style' the children think it is a party.. so we have CAKE!! Coronation chicken sounds fab.. I'll add that to our boxing day buffet food.. it is one of hubbys faves.

jfdi.. I've never had venison.. but it might be nice.. as a one off.. and I can always have just pork if I don't like it.. hubby will eat anything do he is easy pleased.

bigmummaf.. there is never waste round here!! They are like locusts!! lol.. I do a lot of 'leftover' casserole.. I love it too. I can't stand the smell of chilli or curry so don't ever make them.. Turkey crown is a good one though.. I'll consider that one.. if I don't go with the venison (hubby doesn't appear too keen.. Bambi's parents and all! Spoke too soon with the above comment!).. thank you!

lavidaloca & Rosy thanks.. I'd need a bird the size of an ostrich then?? lol.. maybe not.. I'll look into the capon.. I've never had one either.

Now.. hubby and I are on about eating reindeer.. he is of Swedish decent.. say no more!!

Thank you all.. there are some new ideas there which I was looking for.. and hopefully our christmas dinner (eaten on christmas eve about 3pm for those who want invites.. so far my postman, parcel guy, freemans delivery woman and the SENCO from school have all invited themselves lol)

Christmas day we are having sweets and junk food and a few savoury pickings.

Boxing day banquet.. for 15 so far.. though that may well become 20 yet!!! seems about sorted..

I love this site!

cazscoob

my butchers do a boneless chicken which is stuffed with bacon,onion,black pudding and forget what else but it is amazing and easily cooked and no waste. all the leftovers are great for a sandwhich later on!!!!!!!

ask your brother in law they will probably do extras and special items for christmas and they are usually fantastic!

jbbonce

surely your BIL is the person to ask?

pobby_2

some good suggestions already. Here's my two penneth:

Venison is LOVELY and you can do in slow cooker
If you want to use duck one duck will feed 3-4 people if you get a decent size.
Guinea fowl is a great alternative but not that cheap or easy to find. Ask your BIL he may be able to source it. Like chicken but more gamey. One bird feeds 4 people.

A great alternative to a bird and one that slow cooks really well is rabbit. Also very reasonable in terms of price. One rabbit will feed 3-4 people depending on the size, and cost about £2.50.

Let me know if you need any recipes. I love game and have a few recipes kicking about.