# Whatcha cookin'? Christmas 2020 version **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [December 24, 2020, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830 "2020-12-24T17:15:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/21 "2020-12-25T03:36:33Z")
That’s cool! ---
**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 25, 2020, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/22 "2020-12-25T04:22:43Z")
Amazon has all the basic ingredients like Spanish chorizo, bomba rice, pequillo peppers (jarred) and soffrito (in a jar). ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/23 "2020-12-25T05:04:58Z")
I’m making pumpkin pie, and we’ll have some pre-made Costco stuffed turkey breast with mashed potatoes, gravy, and homemade cranberry sauce. The turkey and pie will fit in the toaster oven (one at a time) as my regular oven is on the fritz. I’m probably not going to put too much effort into the beautification of the pie this year, but here’s a previous one I did: > **[Pumpkin pie with leaves — Postimages](https://postimg.cc/BjmmZLqN)** ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/24 "2020-12-25T06:50:49Z")
Christmas Eve was beef tongue, bread dumplings, gravy, vegetable casserole, bakery rye bread, and eggnog cheesecake. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/25 "2020-12-25T07:06:09Z")
We’ll be having bacon and sausage quiche for breakfast and roast duck with honey glaze for dinner. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/26 "2020-12-25T12:10:45Z")
Our daughter is hosting Christmas brunch in her very first house - there will be 5 of us, including a toddler who hasn’t quite figured out the whole gift thing. I’m taking a peach french toast casserole. Daughter is making biscuits-n-gravy and monkey bread. Then a bit after noon, we’ll return home to whatever and they’ll go to visit SIL’s mom and stepdad. I had no special plans for post-brunch food, but I’ll figure out something. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/27 "2020-12-25T13:06:51Z")
I have a pot of maztoh ball soup on the stove. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/28 "2020-12-25T14:10:10Z")
> [@eschrodinger](#): > > We eat our special dinner Christmas Eve, (leftovers tomorrow). We just had a pretty simple one this year. Standing rib roast, mashed potatoes, broccoli. And to start, [risengrynsgrøt](https://northwildkitchen.com/risengrynsgrot-norwegian-rice-porridge/), with an almond hidden in one bowl for the prize. Cool. So it’s essentially risotto with vanilla milk? Might have to give it a try. Maybe make some horchata to go with. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/29 "2020-12-25T16:26:56Z")
Leg of lamb for the two of us, plus potatoes and asparagus. A huge batch of Xmas cookies for dessert. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/30 "2020-12-25T17:02:14Z")
Turkey, mashed potatoes, and roast vege: carrots, parsnips and Brussels sprouts. Lemon pud for a dessert. ---
**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 25, 2020, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/31 "2020-12-25T19:24:12Z")
I’m going the usual. Here’s the MMP post: > [@A Festivus For The Rest of Us. A Grievence MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/195): > > The ‘prime’ rib is prepared. ($65 for a 5.5 pound, two-rib Choice roast, vs. $113 for a similarly-sized Prime roast.) I mixed up some olive oil, kosher salt, freshly-ground black pepper, minced garlic, and some rosemary from the bush outside. I cut the boned off and put some of the mixture on top, then put the meat back on and slathered it with the rest before tying it back together with string. I’ll start cooking around 1400 so we can eat around 1600 or so. I’ll make creamed spinach with feta cheese, and Mrs. L.A. wants mashed potatoes with gravy made from the beef drippings. (I hope there are enough drippings!) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/32 "2020-12-25T19:28:55Z")
So, dinner tonight will be black bean tacos and matzoh ball soup. Hey, it’s what I have a taste for. Also have to go to bed early because I have a 3 am start at work tomorrow to help get the store ready to re-open for the general public at 6 am, so it’s an early dinner for me as well. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/33 "2020-12-25T19:37:42Z")
My part of the family meal is the home made dinner rolls, and traditional iced sugar cookies. With sprinkles of course. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/34 "2020-12-25T19:49:54Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Amazon has all the basic ingredients like Spanish chorizo, bomba rice, pequillo peppers (jarred) and soffrito (in a jar). That’s not the problem - the seafood is the long pole in the tent this year. The stores have really cut back on their stocks of seafood and what they do have is eye-wateringly expensive. I assume it’s fallout from the pandemic. Maybe next year! We do a big breakfast on Christmas - baked apple and brown sugar French toast, bacon, eggs, fruit. General Tso’s chicken tonight - it wouldn’t be Christmas without some (pseudo) Chinese food, right? ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/35 "2020-12-25T20:08:22Z")
I read this and realize how lucky I am to live on the coast in a big, big city. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/36 "2020-12-25T20:43:14Z")
Quoting myself for context. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > I’ve got 5 adults from 30 to elderly. And a very, very over-excited 2 yo. > > Have a 6# prime rib marinating now. I’m glad somebody upthread likes horseradish, but I’m not one of them. > > There’ll also be sautéed green beans, steamed unglazed carrots, & mashed pots. All basic good food simply prepared. Two store-bought pies for dessert. That’s not what happened / is happening. Instead I’m at work. In a hotel in downtown Atlanta. The feast described above is in Miami. I had to get everything laid out & prep-cooked yesterday and give wife the detailed timeline then provide some tips via phone along the way today. Meantime here in downtown Atlanta I’ve got a crew of 6 to feed and almost all the downtown restaurants are closed today and all the restaurants in the hotels are closed for months by COVID order. So lots of hotel guests and damn few restaurants. The hotel desk team had helpfully generated a list of nearby restarants still open on the holiday. It’s a real short list. It’s also about 30F out (before sundown), but at least the wind is ~~blowing~~ howling. So “nearby” needs to be real close, or I’ll need 3 Ubers/Lyfts to move 6 people. Because COVID. Had hoped to make a virtue of necessity and do something super-nice for my crew, since almost all the places open are on the order of Morton’s Steakhouse, etc. But all those places long ago took their last reservation for tonight. They’re full. So it’s going to be an interesting experience in a nearby diner with an interesting and varied menu from American to Greek to Italian. And 24 hour breakfast. Not the Morton’s I’d promised them, but it’ll be hot & free so they’ll probably like it. Merry Christmas from the trenches! ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/37 "2020-12-25T21:30:30Z")
Remember in _A Christmas Carol_ when the Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge over the world and scatters good cheer from his cornucopia over people who are working on Christmas Day, like the isolated lighthouse keepers? That’s what you’re experiencing, with your Christmas-in-a-diner, burgers, moussaka and spaghetti! Best wishes for the holidays and may your flights be safe! ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/38 "2020-12-25T21:47:03Z")
Best wishes on your holiday mixemup. I hope the food was munch-worthy and the company was fine. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/39 "2020-12-25T21:51:50Z")
Thank you both. Talked w wife & extended family. That feast went well, net of the vagaries of cooking it at one house and driving it across town to serve at another. But that would’ve been the same issue if I was home. Leaving in a few minutes for our Diner Extravaganza; I’ll report back in a couple hours. So far, so Christmas-y. Here’s another story of Christmas airline-style: > [@In the dustbin of our cultural history](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/278): > > There’s a bit of a tradition forming in the USA to go out for Chinese food on Christmas (or Eve). Because from roughly the '70s to 2000s those were about the only places open that day. AIUI the practice started among Jewish folks and later spread to the Gentiles. Back about 1991 I was working a trip and we arrived in NYC at about 7pm Christmas eve. The hotel was in one of the predominantly Jewish areas in Brooklyn. The hotel restaurant was closed for the holiday and we were famished. Out i… ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2020, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830/40 "2020-12-25T23:15:47Z")
> [@Paintcharge](#): > > So it’s essentially risotto with vanilla milk? There’s no vanilla in mine. If the link says that, then it’s not consistent with my experience in Norway, either. It’s just short grain rice cooked with lots of milk into a porridge, and then served with cinnamon, sugar, and a pat of butter. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatcha-cookin-christmas-2020-version/928830.md?page=3)