I don't want to ruin Christmas dinner AGAIN

[LisaR]

I know we haven't even had Thanksgiving yet and I am already freaking over Christmas. I am a very good cook, at least that is what everyone tells me, but I am horrible at Christmas dinner. I have multiple problems.

For starters, the food is not the typical food I am used to cooking. I rarely cook meat during the week and when I do, it is generally just a few chicken breasts. We eat lots of soups, pastas, salads, stir fry, mexican, etc. Making a turkey, ham and a million other side dishes is not what I am used to.

In addition, I cook for 4 or 5 people tops on a daily basis. When we host a few guests for a small party, it involves close friends and their kids so it is very casually and I might do a taco bar or pasta bar. This will be Christmas dinner for 16.

I have huge problems with timing it all and making WAY too much food. It is a major stress thing for me. This is the fourth year they are coming back and I haven't killed them with anything yet but I don't think I have done a great job.

Only one person can bring something because the rest are staying in hotels without kitchens so they just bring booze. Thank goodness for that. The food tastes better when you're tanked!

Any suggestions for pulling this off?

 

[Disneycrazymom]

How sweet of you to cook for so many. i suggest you cook what you like to cook. Pasta makes a nice Christmas dinner. (I'm from StL and we have pasta with everything) there is no law that says it has to be turkey or ham. Relax and make what you know you are good at and your family likes.

 

[Angelhalo]

Do as much ahead of time as possible. That way the majority of stuff to do on the actual meal day is just reheating.

 

[AmyinKY]

Does your grocery store cater? The Kroger's and Walmart's around here offer the turkey, pumpkin pie, rolls, green beans, cranberry sauce and gravey at a reasonable price. That might be an option. Or, you could serve a non traditional meal.

 

[Saphire]

I understand! Cooking for your family or casual gatherings is very different than a sit-down formal holiday dinner. My best advice is to do as much prep work before Christmas. There are many side dishes that can be prepared and frozen beforehand. When cooking for 16, ham or beef is easier than turkey. Lasagna is even easier and could be made ahead and frozen, but not sure if you want to go that route.
Let us know what kind of menu you are thinking of so we can give you more specific tips.

 

[LisaR]

Thanks everyone! I can't preorder from somewhere because my son has major food allergies and that just wouldn't work.

I like the idea of ham and lasagna. The ham is easy and the lasagna can be made in advance. Last year we did a turkey and pork. I thought they were both incredibly dry and I think people were just being nice telling me that they were fine. Will ham and lasagna be enough for main dishes? What sides would go best that are easy? I can't do the green bean casserole because it used to be my son's favorite and he can't eat it now because of the allergies. Salad is a must. I make an awesome pilaf but that probably needs to be made the day of, if I go that route.

Desserts are covered since I make a safe cake that my son can eat, my mom buys a dessert and a friend makes a couple pies.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

If you have a really big crock pot get a Shank portion ham or Butt portion and put it in the crock pot with about 2 cups of water and you will know when it is done it will shred up like BBQ and it is to die for.
then you could do some potato salad that could be made the day before some green beans, and some mac and cheese and do alot of rolls we make ham rolls and everyone loves it. I usually cook mine for about 5 or 6 hours.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

What about broccoli and rice casserole? You could do that early. Also jello salad. We like ambrosia and I usually pick it up at the deli. that may have something you DS can't eat. Some kind of rolls would be good so you could make ham sandwiches later. I think you have a good start.

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[Saphire]

OK, ham and lasagna sound great, and that would be plenty for a main dish. Lasagna can be made weeks ahead and frozen, or you could prepare it up to two days before and refrigerate. And the ham is just heated up in the oven with the brown sugar/mustard that comes with it. Spiral cuts are best and easiest.
Green salad is excellent with both dishes, and can be put together before guests arrive. If you want, you can chop all veggies the day before and put in plastic bags, to make assembly easier on Christmas day. I think cheese potatoes are great with ham. They can be made several days before. Baked beans go well with ham. I have a great recipe for enhanced baked beans that start with canned beans. If you have a crock pot, they can be parked there for hours. Maybe a fruit salad could round out the meal, everything could be assembled before. You could purchase some bakery rolls or bread.
If you make good soup maybe you could offer that as an appetizer? It could be made days before. Most everything I mentioned is prepared beforehand, so all you have left is the timing issue. I have been doing this for years and I am still working on it! I actually write out a timeline for the meal because sometimes I get so busy visiting, I forget to do this or that. It really helps! I think if you go with ham and /or lasagna you will have a less stressful meal, those turkey's are high-maintainence!
Good luck with everything, your guests are lucky to have a hostess who tries so hard and wants it to be nice for them.

 

[LisaR]

These are some great ideas. Thanks!

What do you think of this:

Ham
baked beans
potato salad

lasagna
salad
glazed baby carrots

sweat potato biscuits
cranberry bread

A Christmas tree centerpiece that is a fruit bouquet. I can make pretty cool ones!

Does that sound like enough?

My other big issue is how much to make/buy? 16 people and the youngest is 11 and a big eater. Do I make two lasagnas? 5 lbs of potatoes for the potato salad? How much ham? I am so bad at this.

On a side note, for Thanksgiving, it is just the four of us and my brother. I am making pasta, garlic bread, salad and turkey meatballs because it is Thanksgiving after all. I have no worries about this because it is something I am used to making and it is only five people.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You be fine!

 

[PatsGirl]

That sounds great (and much easier than the original plan) You've hit all the major food groups and have a wide assortment of foods. What's not to love?

 

[MissMinnie]

If you have a relative or friend who is a good cook and is coming for dinner, ask them to come a few hours early and help you. I'm sure someone would be willing to help that you can get along with in the kitchen. It would take a lot of the stress off you. Use prepared food where possible if it would be easier for you too. I agree with the other posters to cook and freeze what you can ahead of time. Don't forget Mrs. Smith can help you with dessert too!

 

[Michelle67]

These are some great ideas. Thanks!

What do you think of this:

Ham
baked beans
potato salad

lasagna
salad
glazed baby carrots

sweat potato biscuits
cranberry bread

A Christmas tree centerpiece that is a fruit bouquet. I can make pretty cool ones!

Does that sound like enough?

My other big issue is how much to make/buy? 16 people and the youngest is 11 and a big eater. Do I make two lasagnas? 5 lbs of potatoes for the potato salad? How much ham? I am so bad at this.

On a side note, for Thanksgiving, it is just the four of us and my brother. I am making pasta, garlic bread, salad and turkey meatballs because it is Thanksgiving after all. I have no worries about this because it is something I am used to making and it is only five people.

I think your menu sounds lovely. I would make two lasagnas. If one doesn't get touched, you can freeze it and reheat it later on for an easy dinner, or have leftovers just as you would with a turkey. I would buy just one good sized ham. Five lbs of potatoes should be more than plenty, because likely not everyone will eat it, and those who do will have so much other food that they aren't going to eat tons of it. FWIW, I did two pans of stuffed shells for my daughter's birthday with ten people, a few of whom are big eaters, and with a large bowl of salad and garlic bread it was more than enough. My daughter took home nearly a full pan of shells for leftovers the next day. Just for an idea of how far things stretch. Granted, two of those ten are little kids and don't really eat all that much. So you could safely call it eight...and you're going to have double that and a ham added in. Sounds safe to me.

Out of curiosity, what are your sons allergies? My daughter has food allergies also, as do several other members of the family (and of course they can't all just be allergic to the same things, either) so we've got some pretty creative cooking solutions. I'd be glad to toss a few ideas your way if you're interested at all in adapting some old faves that are now off limits.

And one last thing...would you please share that sweet potato biscuit recipe? That sounds lovely!

 

[minnie56]

Somewhere-I have a recipe for the above. Can I find it? NOOOOO...I have googled and searched all sites I know of...anyone have any thoughts?

I used canned Asparagus (3-4cans?) then you made a mushroom sauce (roux as the base) and topped w/cheddar and crushed Potato chips before baking. Was so yummy!

 

[mamacatnv]

I host 18 for dinner every Christmas Eve - I personally think you have way too many options. Just my opinion

Here is what I serve: Everyone loves it, there are not too many leftovers and most of it can go into the over and come out of the oven at the same time which helps with the timing issues

A whole baked ham - 20#'s w/a brown sugar & mustard glaze.
Bake 4 hours at 325 (or thereabouts, I always double check the time vs. weight and use a meat thermometer)
followed by 30-45 minutes at 375 to brown glaze

Scallopped potatos -
15#s potatoes peeled & thinly sliced
3#s Colby Jack shredded
1# Sharp cheddar shredded
1 pint Whipping Cream
1 Qt. Half and half
Layer potatos, salt & pepper, cheese....repeat till large baking pan (disposable foil) is full - pour on the liquid, cover with foil and bake
Bake covered 3.5-4 hours at 325
Follow with 30-45 minutes at 375 to brown the top

Green Been Casserole - made ahead of time and put into the oven when the temp is increased for the above 2 items

Carrot Salad - make the night before, stir often
5#'s finely shredded carrots (peeled)
2 boxes golden raisins
2 cans crushed pineapple w/juice
1 can chunked pineapple w/juice

Green Salad - self explanatory
An asst. of dinner rolls w/ butter

 

[LisaR]

I think your menu sounds lovely. I would make two lasagnas. If one doesn't get touched, you can freeze it and reheat it later on for an easy dinner, or have leftovers just as you would with a turkey. I would buy just one good sized ham. Five lbs of potatoes should be more than plenty, because likely not everyone will eat it, and those who do will have so much other food that they aren't going to eat tons of it. FWIW, I did two pans of stuffed shells for my daughter's birthday with ten people, a few of whom are big eaters, and with a large bowl of salad and garlic bread it was more than enough. My daughter took home nearly a full pan of shells for leftovers the next day. Just for an idea of how far things stretch. Granted, two of those ten are little kids and don't really eat all that much. So you could safely call it eight...and you're going to have double that and a ham added in. Sounds safe to me.

Out of curiosity, what are your sons allergies? My daughter has food allergies also, as do several other members of the family (and of course they can't all just be allergic to the same things, either) so we've got some pretty creative cooking solutions. I'd be glad to toss a few ideas your way if you're interested at all in adapting some old faves that are now off limits.

And one last thing...would you please share that sweet potato biscuit recipe? That sounds lovely!

Thanks for the great info!

My son is allergic to dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish and he has difficulty with dyes (especially yellow and red). He is 11 and he has improved tremendously over the years. He used to be allergic to 28 different things!

Sweet potato biscuits:
3 cups flour (I use whole wheat)
2 heaping TBS baking powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup shortening (I use canola oil)
2 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk (I use rice milk but any type would work)

Mix flour, baking powder and salt together. Add shortening. Combine warm sweet potatoes and sugar together and add milk. Combine it with the dry ingredients and blend well. Add a little more milk if it is too dry.

Place on floured surface and roll out to desired thickness (I probably do about 1/2 inch think). Shape however you want. You can use a mug top to make circles. My kids use Christmas cookie cutters to make fun shapes. Spray cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes. Makes about 2 1/2 dozen. Yummy!

 

[LisaR]

I host 18 for dinner every Christmas Eve - I personally think you have way too many options. Just my opinion

I know and I agree but I can't seem to fix it. I think it is an Italian thing. We do not eat anywhere near this much during a typical meal. My family is perfectly content having a hearty bowl of homemade soup for dinner. For the past four years that I have been in charge of Christmas, I swear each time that I am going to cut back. I never do. It is a sick mindset that I can't seem to break. Help!

 

[Master Mason]

the big thing is keep it simple, you don't need 20 side dishes. Make everything you can ahead of time, then you usually only have to worry about a couple of items on the actual day.