jmh

The other thread got me thinking....

Usually we have something traditional like Turkey etc, but this year it will be a cold spread at my Aunty's who may not be with us next Christmas. I know the food will be fabulous though.

What are you having?

bearskin

My Mum died a few weeks back, and we'll be having the sort of meal that she used to love having when she used to come and visit us in NZ (from the UK). She liked the idea of having Southern Hemisphere Christmas lunch.

A few prawns, some baked salmon, fresh baked bread, salads and some of those nice little new potatoes. The ham will also be about - we tend to get into that a couple of days before Christmas day. Then a pavlova, a trifle and a Christmas pudding on the dessert trolley.

BEVS

This year is a traditional turkey roast with trimmings & a pud for me and him.

Last year my husband was in the UK spending Christmas with his 85 yr old Mum. Best present we could think of for her.

Hope you all enjoy your spread with your Aunty. It's a good time of year to be with those we love.

Bearskin. Sorry for your loss.

Tom1983

A dish of smoked salmon and prawns over a salad

Barbeque - not sure what meat to use but not Turkey as I don't like it

Home made Gordon Ramsays christmas pudding - providing there's facilities at the holiday park we're staying at

MOSO

Ham and cold trimmings at lunchtime, followed by lamb on the BBQ after the beach with family visiting from the UK

I just hope it's as hot and sunny as last year, we were the ones roasting rather than a turkey

Mark Smith

Couple of chickens on the Bbq rotisserie, salads and some chestnut/sausage meat stuffing (makes great leftover doorstop sandwiches with ham and chicken)

Nigella's chocolate christmas cake and probably a sherry trifle to make sure.

Gin and tonics to lubricate.

BEVS

Where'zit?

Up Nelson?

BEVS

One roasts and runs hunnybun.

Slow roast. Go for a dabble, paddle ,swum & return.

Rest. Carve.

Yum.

Bo-Jangles

Prices of a turkeys now seem within reach, so I might get a small one or make do with a half decent chook. Absolutely have to have pigs in blankets, stuffing, roast potatoes and gravy. Not sure about dessert though, last year I made a chocolate and cherry tiramisu thing, so might do something like that again. All gut busting stuff, followed by coffee and just a bit more room for some wafer thin mints.

Please spill the beans Mark Smith, where are we sourcing the chestnuts for stuffing?

I don't know why but I just had a thought about dates: I'm definitely putting them on my shopping list now.

j19fmm

Turkey, ham and all the trimmings with (most of) the family. First Christmas since my Uncle died so new traditions will be started

burbschook

Our menu will be weather dependent. If it's summery, it'll be something on the barby with sides & fresh fruit puddings. If it's lashing (which it did several years ago) it'll be a roast of some sort with stodgy pudding. More like a xmas in blighty that way.

Bo Jangles, for chestnut stuffing I use the french chestnut puree that you can get over here ... um I think New World is one supplier. It's in a green & white tin & called "clement faugier" chestnut puree. It's a solid mix & blended with your choice (bread ,gizzards, fruit, onions etc) will make a lovely chestnut stuffing.

It's also great for making a choccie/chestnut torte. Oh I'm drooling already.

Snap Shot

Roast chicken (prefer it to turkey anyway), roast potatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, stuffing (paxo), bread sauce (warm up some milk with onion, bay leaf and cloves in it, pour over 2 slices of white bread then beat it to a pulp) and gravy. We have been known to make stock from giblets for the gravy then give the cooked, cold giblets to the cat.

It's just play acting at Christmas dinner really. No parsnips and no sprouts unfortunately.

I'll make a sherry trifle. I'll probably get a small Christmas pudding and some mince pies. More tokenism.

I'd better get a cooked ham to glaze and roast as is the tradition in New Zealand. That'll just be in the fridge for whenever it's needed.

No doubt there'll be the de rigeur (but weather permitting) Christmas Eve barbeque.

Tom1983

More towards Picton - we're about an hours drive from Nelson

It's a place called Smiths Farm. my mum and dad stayed there when they came over last year and loved the place.

Nelson is being visited on the Monday 23rd and possibly the 27th.

Persephone

I'll be at my Dad's in the UK so it'll be turkey, roast spuds, carrots, peas, parsnips, cauli, various other veg, Yorkshire pudding [we have them with every roast] and gravy.

Then some sort of pudding-though not Christmas pudding or mince pies as none of us like raisin-esque dried fruit

flat to the mat

Any of you lads and lasses tried deep frying a Turkey ? Takes about an hour and the results are fantastic , if I was brave enough to be outside for that long on Xmas day it would be my first choice .