Anyone else fearing the Christmas menu this year?

[Tina]

Haha. Love that movie. But, seriously? What if Ricky's mom read this? Nothing funny about it at all........

Ha ha ha ha ha!!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I'm going to my sister's for Christmas Eve for a small get-together. There will just be four or five people for gifts, appetizers and socializing. However, my sister is not only a lazy cook, but a horrible one. I'll never forget the night we had "quesadillas" at her place. Here is her recipe (which she actually invented herself! Can you believe it? She's very proud of it)):

Take one flour tortilla and one slice of Kraft processed Singles.
Lay cheese on top of tortilla. Roll. Microwave.
Fiesta!

I hope whatever she's serving this year comes out of a box. I think I'll eat BEFORE I get there.

Every single time I read what I bolded I laugh out loud. Just when I get my snickering under control somebody quotes you. I don't think you are being mean. If I made that my family would make fun right to my face and to be honest, I would laugh too. Ole'

 

[Tinijocaro]

My sister is not only an iffy cook, but she has so many allergies in her family (beef, peanuts, wheat and dairy), dinner can be kind of interesting. I plan for weeks when I do Thanksgiving, but she's still planning on what to make for dinner that morning. I'll still have a great time on Christmas, just not so excited about the food.

We go to my inlaws for Christmas Eve. She's an awesome cook, so we'll get our holiday meal fix there.

We have similar eating issues-diabetic, lactose and gluten intolerant, vegetarian, gets-gassy-from-most-foods.....I just try to make sure there is at least one thing each person can eat and tell them to bring one thing they can eat.

 

[Becky2005]

Good Luck!

I fully admit I'm not a very good cook but so far, my SIL & BIL haven't complained too much but really how can you mess up ham? It's precooked!! All you have to do is HEAT it (I have been known to get it a bit burnt on occassion but I think that's my oven!).

We host Christmas Eve every year and it's ALWAYS the same menu...although i do change up the vegetables. Basically, you could say my meal is pretty much all in a box and just heated, combined, etc... nothing is from scratch. LOL!!!

I should say the in-laws haven't complained at all and they tend to clean their plates and get 2nd helpings (sometimes 3rds), so I just assume they aren't eating just to be polite but that they actually do find it edible.

 

[kiddo76]

We have similar eating issues-diabetic, lactose and gluten intolerant, vegetarian, gets-gassy-from-most-foods.....I just try to make sure there is at least one thing each person can eat and tell them to bring one thing they can eat.

Ah, I fogot about the diabetic.

Just talked to sis. She is doing her MIL's 'Italian Beef' in a crockpot, except with a pork roast instead. I've had her MIL's recipe before. She's from the Midwest boonies and is of German descent, not sure what makes it Italian. It doesn't taste like anything Italian that I've ever had. So I get to eat Italian Beef that is neither beef nor Italian.

I've been desperately looking up app recipes all evening to bring. We're going to my IL's tomorrow, so it has to be something easy.

I did, however, offer to bring the wine.

 

[redlight]

So I get to eat Italian Beef that is neither beef nor Italian.

I find that very funny. What seasonings/ extras does she add?

 

[Mama-san]

now that one made me think of the movie better off dead. Do you remember the crazy food that mom made? This made me think of that slimy green dessert she made just before ricky's mom blew up (ricky, i'm sorry your mom blew up).

"it has raisins in it. You like raisins!"

"i want my two dollars!!!!!"

 

[kiddo76]

I find that very funny. What seasonings/ extras does she add?

I'm not sure, I try to block out that memory. I know it wasn't any 'typical' Italian seasonings. I remember marjoram was in there somewhere. I only remember that because the only other thing I've ever used marjoram for is my mother's Irish Beef Stew.

 

[Wishing on a star]

but decorating the deviled eggs with raisins has left it's impact on me.

OMG!!!! NOW I'm laughing!

 

[redlight]

I'm not sure, I try to block out that memory. I know it wasn't any 'typical' Italian seasonings. I remember marjoram was in there somewhere. I only remember that because the only other thing I've ever used marjoram for is my mother's Irish Beef Stew.

I asked because I have several Italian/Italian-American relatives and they don't serve "Italian Beef". They do make wonderful creamy pastas.

 

[U2_rocks!]

That's pretty bad! My 15 yr. old son can make quesadillas better than that.

My 7 yo can make a better quesadilla than that! True it's still only tortillas and cheese (2 ingredients), but I buy the yummy shredded real Mexican cheese (not the processed crap) and she uses that. My kids love those simple quesadillas! For an adult I would dress them up more, but they are perfect as they are for kids.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I'm going to my sister's for Christmas Eve for a small get-together. There will just be four or five people for gifts, appetizers and socializing. However, my sister is not only a lazy cook, but a horrible one. I'll never forget the night we had "quesadillas" at her place. Here is her recipe (which she actually invented herself! Can you believe it? She's very proud of it)):

Take one flour tortilla and one slice of Kraft processed Singles.
Lay cheese on top of tortilla. Roll. Microwave.
Fiesta!


I hope whatever she's serving this year comes out of a box. I think I'll eat BEFORE I get there.

I am going to bring Tacos to my MIL's. You know, she wanted RIBS however when we found out the expense of feeding 15 people and the fact they are bring either leftovers (from one family) and nothing from the other family DH and I decided to attempt to continue our "low key" Christmas plans and bring something half of the cost.

My MIL is schizophrenic and her food tends to be "interesting". Now she can follow directions however you always question the ingredients, you know? One yr she served deli ham with cloves and orange juice on it.

Plus the fact she reuses Ziplock bags grosses us out to the max. Last yr we got her Ziplock bags for Christmas and told her not to "reuse". Not sure if she is actually doing that though. We will find out....

 

[marcyinPA]

I would love to. Unfortunately, I've been relegated to bringing the wine. I'm bringing a LOT of wine.

Bring something anyway. I bring food even when I'm told not to. It's how I roll, being Italian and all!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I would take something. Actually, we're going to my grandparent's house, and even though my grandmother is an excellant cook, I'm still taking food.

 

[disneyfans95]

So she can't cook, big deal. Eat before you go over and don't pile your plate high while you are there.

I assume that your main purpose in going over there is not to fill up on the food, so I don't see what the big deal is.

Agreed.

I don't see the need to bash her cooking skills here. It sounds like the idea is to get together as a family and not be hung up about the food.

 

[redlight]

Bring something anyway. I bring food even when I'm told not to. It's how I roll, being Italian and all!

same here.

 

[Pumbaa_]

heck I bring the entire dinner, appies and dessert to my Db & DSIL's.

love her, but her idea of dinner (for xmas eve( is tuna nookdle casserole amd volunteered to make 'easy' lasagna (consisting of egg noodles layered with meat sauce and cheese)

Great intentions. But not hanks, you open your home, I will bring food. So lasagna and garlic bread, some drinks and dessert will be brought. Everyone is happy!

 

[BarbN.]

Now that one made me think of the movie Better Off Dead. Do you remember the crazy food that mom made? This made me think of that slimy green dessert she made just before Ricky's mom blew up (Ricky, I'm sorry your mom blew up).

"It has raisins in it. You LIKE raisins!"

Thanks for the reminder - I still have to wrap the tv dinners:!

 

[Tina]

Thanks for the reminder - I still have to wrap the tv dinners:!

 

[disykat]

This whole thread reminds me of my mother.

She cooks fine and can follow recipes, but she just has weird taste buds. For example, she'll put tuna in everything. I love tuna, but not in spaghetti sauce or on tostadas. She also made my sister's birthday cake one year - lemon cake with chocolate frosting. She couldn't understand why we thought it was weird. I understand that cooking from what you have in the pantry is sometimes inventive, but these are combos she CHOOSES to get at the grocery store.