# Christmas dinner thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 8, 2013, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844 "2013-12-08T19:33:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/41 "2013-12-20T06:37:27Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > wtf is bread sauce? Delicious is what it is. Bread sauce is made by simmering milk with onion, black peppercorns, bay leaves and cloves (I leave out the cloves). After adequate infusion (I simmer for 15 mins then leave aside to stand for an hour or so until dinner is nearly ready), strain the milk and thicken with stale breadcrumbs, add a knob of butter then season to taste and lightly grate some nutmeg on top. Tl;dr it’s a flavoured milk sauce thickened with breadcrumbs. A very traditional (medieval) English sauce served with chicken or turkey. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/42 "2013-12-20T07:15:29Z")
Not sure. Thanksgiving is the big one for us. Christmas dinner is not that special. Right now, I’m leaning toward the Champion Chili Burger at [The Firehouse](http://www.firehousethailand.com/en/home/). ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/43 "2013-12-20T08:32:50Z")
It has to be country ham glazed with sorghum - my family won’t hear of anything else. For the rest, maybe butternut squash soup, macaroni salad, pickled peach mold, corn souffle puddings, possibly sauteed broccoflower with mushrooms - my sister and nephews have an aversion to green things but I like them, and a cake made in my new yule log pan. There’ll be punch too, and assorted nibbles, whatever else everyone brings. Usually there’s enough to feed a small army. Oh, and definitely crackers. I got a do-it-yourself kit online and stuffed them full of interesting things. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/44 "2013-12-20T09:05:57Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > I’ve decided to try a duck this year. It will be the first time I’ve ever roasted a whole one, and it’s got me a bit nervous. There is such a difference between crispy skin, yummy moist meat, and rubbery skin, greasy stringy meat, and even “good” restaurants seem to screw it up sometimes. Oh, I hope you come back and read this. I was nervous the first time I roasted a duck, too and [followed this blog](http://www.thehungrymouse.com/2009/02/11/the-best-way-to-roast-a-duck-hello-crispy-skin/). It turned out great, and I used some of the duck fat I collected in the mashed potatoes. Divine! Myself, I roast a leg of lamb. I thought I would see someone else serving lamb, but maybe it’s not much of a Christmas thing? As far as planning ahead, I’m late to this thread, but yes, I have to plan the protein well in advance, especially if it’s not something my farmer normally has on her truck on days she’s in the city. In winter, she’s only in a spot convenient for me twice a month, so I have to plan and budget for what I want to pick up. A leg of lamb is a special order so she knew in November I wanted to pick it up on the 19th. As for the rest of the meal, nothing fancy. My “smooshed” red potatoes with butter and cream cheese, roasted acorn squash, bourboned ginger carrots, cornbread and spinach salad. Maybe my rum cranberry sauce, too. Haven’t decided yet. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/45 "2013-12-20T14:54:32Z")
Sadly, the SO doesn’t like duck or lamb. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/46 "2013-12-24T03:02:42Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Not sure. Thanksgiving is the big one for us. Christmas dinner is not that special. Right now, I’m leaning toward the Champion Chili Burger at [The Firehouse](http://www.firehousethailand.com/en/home/). Yes, we have decided on The Firehouse, and I at least – and possibly the wife, she loves it too – will be indulging in the humongous Champion Chili Burger for our Christmas meal. We always add bacon and mushrooms. Mmmmm. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/47 "2013-12-24T03:30:54Z")
Friends are coming over in the evening for cocktails, heavy appetizers and movies. There will definitely be sausage balls, pigs in blankets (American), some savory turnovers, wings done a couple of ways, a crudite platter, mini salad boats, a fruit tray and dark chocolate peppermint brownies. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/48 "2013-12-24T04:09:41Z")
I’m by myself this year and traveling Christmas Day, but I’ll do up a little Xmas eve dinner: (turkey) stuffed squash from Trader Joes, a white corn and green bean veg dish that I came up with and a couple of fruity mince pies for dessert, all washed down with a splash of Cava. Christmas dinner, more or less, will be whatever looks most appetizing while laying over at DFW airport. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/49 "2013-12-24T05:02:48Z")
My mom finally finalized the menu for Christmas Dinner; prime rib, asparagus with hollandaise, cabbage au gratin, twice-baked potatoes, and probably a custard for desert. I’m contributing a bottle of Argentine red wine that should go well with the prime rib. Christmas _Eve_ is when the extended family get’s together, and that’s a potluck. My contribution is also wine, this time a box from Australia. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/50 "2013-12-24T05:16:40Z")
I’ve just come to the horrible realisation that we’ve over-catered _again_ this year. 2 x lobsters and fresh king prawns Whole baked ham with orange/star anise glaze Barbequed chicken breasts, in a ginger and cider marinade. Potato salad (with bacon, egg and spring onions) French bean salad Mississippi mudcake with chocolate ganache icing AND every last sq. cm covered in Maltesers, served w/raspberry coulis and fresh cream. Baked cheesecake. Variety of cheeses w/crackers Lots of booze. All this for four adults and two little kids. I feel sick already. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/51 "2013-12-24T05:19:03Z")
Leftovers are the best part of any holiday meal! ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/52 "2013-12-24T05:29:30Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > Leftovers are the best part of any holiday meal! Absolutely! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/53 "2013-12-24T06:33:24Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > Leftovers are the best part of any holiday meal! Yep this! We’ll probably end up with a ton of leftovers, too. We definitely have 9 people coming, but possibly 12. We never cook on Christmas day. We just eat left overs from Christmas Eve dinner. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/54 "2013-12-25T20:10:22Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > Oh, I hope you come back and read this. I was nervous the first time I roasted a duck, too and [followed this blog](http://www.thehungrymouse.com/2009/02/11/the-best-way-to-roast-a-duck-hello-crispy-skin/). It turned out great, and I used some of the duck fat I collected in the mashed potatoes. Divine! > > . Thanks I will try that…eventually. I ended up chickening out(ducking the issue?) of making the duck. I kept putting off the decision if I would or not until it was too late to thaw it. But no worries, I got a little couple rib roast, which is about an hour from going in the oven, along with some roasting taters that were going to be used with the duck fat. But I can always get more potatoes when I do go for the duck. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/55 "2013-12-26T04:41:56Z")
Just got back from my patents house - whew! We had a whole beef tenderloin, a whole boneless leg of lamb, home made rolls, baked potatoes, buttered peas, glazed carrots, my sisters famous baked manicotti (we’re Italian, God forbid there shouldn’t be pasta) and a few bottled of very nice pinot. Dessert was a staggering array of pies and fine chocolates. I would have loved to stay longer but I needed to get on the road before I went into a food coma. Merry Christmas everyone! ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/56 "2013-12-26T07:00:19Z")
Dishwasher busted on Christmas Eve, but the Christmas prime rib came out delish, and the guests were kind enough to help hand wash everything after. Great day. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/57 "2013-12-26T13:09:56Z")
The usual: [Pierogi](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bh0KAc8xNM0/TuzYXpmDnxI/AAAAAAAAAoY/JcrHlIpha_c/s1600/Pierogi-z-dyni%25C4%2585-i-bialym-serem.jpg), [kielbasa](http://www.magdawalczak.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/kielbasa.jpg), and [gołąbki](http://spuscizna.org/imagess/golabki-0.JPG). mmm ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/58 "2013-12-26T15:20:27Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > My mom finally finalized the menu for Christmas Dinner; prime rib, asparagus with hollandaise, **cabbage au gratin** , twice-baked potatoes, and probably a custard for desert. I’m contributing a bottle of Argentine red wine that should go well with the prime rib. Christmas _Eve_ is when the extended family get’s together, and that’s a potluck. My contribution is also wine, this time a box from Australia. Bolding mine. The cabbage sounds interesting. We had the neighbors over and my Mom came up from Denver. It was very simple diner, but got rave reviews. Over and over again. Salad Meatloaf / Gravy Mashed Potatoes Steamed asparagus with garlic. Green beans (because I MUST have green beans with meatloaf) Homemade sourdough bread Key Lime pie Sometimes the simple things are a huge hit. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/59 "2013-12-26T15:21:10Z")
I passed on the Yorkshire pudding. So we had prime rib seasoned, baked potatoes, and asparagus; with escargots for starters. The roast was seasoned (top, sides, and between the bones and the meat) with minced garlic, rosemary from the plant outside, kosher salt, and olive oil. I’ve always liked Costco’s beef. This was the best roast yet. Yay for USDA Prime! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844/60 "2013-12-26T16:28:35Z")
The leg of lamb came out fantastic. I’m the laziest cook ever, so didn’t even defrost it first. Just put the whole frozen thing on a baking sheet, rubbed a layer of olive oil onto it, coarse sea salt and pepper. Stick it in a 225F oven for an hour per pound (I might have done this before and have it down pat, pork roasts, beef roasts, even turkey quarters), uncovered, and 7.5 hours later it’s not quite falling off the bone, juicy and tender. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner-thread/675844.md?page=4)