# Christmas dinner **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 21, 2016, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304 "2016-12-21T16:17:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/21 "2016-12-21T22:11:02Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I sampled a Costco beef tamale when I was getting the roast yesterday. I prefer the Trader Joe’s ones. Yeah, I figured the Costco Tamales wouldn’t be remarkable. But that’s part of the tradition for us - we’re really not that fond of Tamales anyway! ---
**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 21, 2016, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/22 "2016-12-21T22:27:22Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > we’re really not that fond of Tamales anyway! :eek: :dubious: Kill the witch! :mad: ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/23 "2016-12-21T22:32:32Z")
The past couple of Christmases I have gotten pre-marinated pork loin from Hannaford, and made it with roasted red potatoes or stuffing. My father is doing his anorexic thing and starving himself because he knows there will be a lot of food coming (usually fruit and treat towers from his friends) and I don’t feel like playing into the food neurosis. I am already not buying the food gifts I usually get him so maybe dinner will be skipped too. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/24 "2016-12-22T01:17:45Z")
Xmas Eve: Corsican fish soup with rouille and croutons. > **[Fish soup recipe: Soupe de poisson with rouille](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/recipes/6206634/Fish-soup-recipe-Soupe-de-poisson-with-rouille.html)** > > Fish soup isn’t as expensive to make as you might think, and this recipe is a fantastic treat for your friends. Xmas: A standing rib roast, two ribs only (for four people), about 3 1/2 pounds. Decided to spring the extra bucks for a dry-aged roast. Not sure about the side dishes yet. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/25 "2016-12-22T01:28:35Z")
The extended family feast has been postponed for a month. It will just be my wife, two adult daughters and me for dinner. The ladies decided on Chicken Parmesan. Mine will be Veal Parmesan. I will serve it with a tossed green salad and garlic bread. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/26 "2016-12-22T01:49:08Z")
For Christmas Eve dinner, I’m dragging my brother to Harry’s Hofbrau–a San Jose institution since 1954–for one last meal there before the land developer tears the place down. They have fantastic old-style turkey and prime rib dinners with all the fixin’s and one of the best selections of beer on tap around. I’ll be sad to see the place close. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/27 "2016-12-22T03:30:50Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > I’ve been thinking about green bean casserole. I haven’t made it or had it in ages. Hmm- I was just mentioning up thread that I was undecided about sides. You may have just convinced me! Of all the dishes on the Thanksgiving table the only one that was completely empty at the end of the meal was the green bean casserole. No leftovers! That’s being remedied Sunday. ---
**Author:** ![GoodOldKJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc79bd/32.png) [@GoodOldKJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodOldKJ)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/28 "2016-12-22T06:43:36Z")
hamb, mashed tators, coleslaw, Momma’s Baked Beans, Mac salad, Bread pudding and fruit salad plus some sorrta pie I’m sure ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/29 "2016-12-22T14:29:05Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > For Christmas Eve dinner, I’m dragging my brother to Harry’s Hofbrau–a San Jose institution since 1954–for one last meal there before the land developer tears the place down. They have fantastic old-style turkey and prime rib dinners with all the fixin’s and one of the best selections of beer on tap around. I’ll be sad to see the place close. :eek::eek::eek: I love Harry’s! Sad to hear they are going away. ☹ ---
**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 22, 2016, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/30 "2016-12-22T14:37:06Z")
> [@GoodOldKJ](#): > > hamb Is that like a ham-and-lamb loaf? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/31 "2016-12-22T15:14:38Z")
We’re going to do a fancy hotel brunch. Don’t know details - wife is making the reservations - but I am seriously looking forward to it. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/32 "2016-12-22T15:17:36Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Is that like a ham-and-lamb loaf? 😛 Or a SPAM lamb? 😉 (Or are those just for Easter?) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/33 "2016-12-22T15:35:11Z")
For the past few years I’ve been making a seafood paella for Christmas. I start from scratch, making the sofrito base. The dish includes Spanish chorizo for some smoky punch, Bomba rice, saffron, smoked paprika, wine, fish stock, shrimp, scallops, clams and a few mussels for garnish. For desert, I make a [chocoflan](http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/marcela-valladolid/chocoflan-recipe.html). The tricky part is tending to the rice to make sure it gets just the right doneness and develops a nice crusty _socarrat_ on the bottom without burning. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/34 "2016-12-22T15:53:43Z")
We’re doing our immediate family Christmas on Christmas Eve, with the traditional Chinese food for dinner. On Christmas we’re going over to my dad’s in the morning, so we’ll probably have a spread for breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/35 "2016-12-22T16:46:21Z")
Christmas Eve is at my friend’s house. We are having roast beef dinner, I am making cheesecake squares for dessert. Sister and brother-in-law are coming for Christmas. Tons of appetizers, and dinner will be gourmet chicken and cheese in a blanket, corn souffle, and Jell-O mold. We laugh about the dinner, but love it. Oh, and cheesecake squares and fudge for dessert. ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/36 "2016-12-22T17:32:55Z")
We have a traditional that’s carried over from my wife’s family. Nachos for Xmas Eve, Spaghetti for Xmas. I think we’re going overboard with 4 sauces and 3 types of noodles for Xmas. 3 of the sauces will be made from scratch. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/37 "2016-12-22T17:41:30Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Once again, I’m making the traditional prime rib for Christmas dinner. I went to Costco yesterday and bought the smallest USDA Prime bone-on roast they had. Six point six pounds (3 kg), three ribs, and $98.68. I’ll season it with kosher salt, garlic, and rosemary. Of course there will be baked potatoes, but I think I’ll give the Yorkshire pud a miss this year. There’s already too much food. I asked Mrs. L.A. what she wanted for veg. She always says ‘I don’t know.’ I told her if she doesn’t choose, I’m making Brussels sprouts. She said she wants asparagus. I’ll make escargots for starters, and I’ll get a bottle of 14 Hands red blend to drink. My immediate reaction is, “You mean **your family’s** traditional…” My in-laws also do a prime rib for Christmas (along with a turkey and a ham), but I always think of a goose (possibly a duck) or lamb as being truly traditional. This is just my opinion, but prime rib is not a very traditional Christmas dish. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/38 "2016-12-22T19:32:42Z")
I’m also doing biscuits and My Way Sausage Gravy for New Year’s Day breakfast. It’s pretty much the only day in the year that we treat ourselves to this sort of fat load. With a fried egg on top, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/39 "2016-12-22T19:52:07Z")
Christmas dinner at my sister’s on Thomas Point Annapolis. She’ll be making some kind of red meat roast… my job is to shuck the oysters. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304/40 "2016-12-22T21:05:06Z")
Got me a coupla [these babies](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/12/05/article-2518734-19DEB71100000578-429_634x368.jpg), so I reckon we’ll nuke em up on the good plates and enjoy. Clean up should be a breeze and boy-howdy do they look gooo-oood! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-dinner/775304.md?page=3)