Christmas Dinner Help needed

[Soulsearching]

Here is some info:

Sit down Dinner for:
15 people in total
2 Vegetarians
2 Gluten Free

Thinking of making Cornish Game Hens. Never made them before, but up for the challenge!

Menu:
Drinks/wine/beer/water/lemonade/ice tea
Appy platters - Antipasto - veg and dip - Mozz/tomato/basil
Cornish Game Hens
Gluten Free Rice
Peas with onions and mushrooms
Cheese Tortellini in pesto for Vegetarians - will make a bowl because everyone will want some.
Salad
Bread and butter
Dessert/coffee/tea

Questions:
Which ones to buy, Tyson or Perdue?
Do you think one per person would be enough? or should I make more and how many?
Do you have a cornish hen recipe you could recommend?
If you think this menu could use some help, please give me your input.

Any and all advice welcomed. Thanks

 

[quandrea]

I'd go with a beautiful roast capon chicken. I find Cornish hens really fiddly while the big roast chicken is really impressive. Probably cheaper in the end too. Love the peas and onions. Everything else sounds really good. Gordon Ramsey did a roast chicken on his holiday show that was stuffed with chick peas that he later mashed for use as a side. Looked delicious and very easy.

 

[Hikergirl]

OP, I don't have any advice but I was wondering how one cooks 15 game hens so that they are all ready at the same time?

 

[Soulsearching]

I'd go with a beautiful roast capon chicken. I find Cornish hens really fiddly while the big roast chicken is really impressive. Probably cheaper in the end too. Love the peas and onions. Everything else sounds really good. Gordon Ramsey did a roast chicken on his holiday show that was stuffed with chick peas that he later mashed for use as a side. Looked delicious and very easy.

I will take this into consideration. I would have to cook two, I'm guessing.

 

[Soulsearching]

OP, I don't have any advice but I was wondering how one cooks 15 game hens so that they are all ready at the same time?

I have two ovens, they are so small. The rest of the meal is stove top.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I would probably go for duck, if you want something fancy and different vs cornish game hens. Game hens are a pain to cook, eat, and feed so few.

For the vegetarian (if they eat cheese, which I'm assuming since you are planning tortellini), I'd make a beautiful risotto - so impressive, not too hard, and it goes great with duck (I've done this on Easter - Duck and risotto is my kids favorite food). It also seems "fancier" and "more special" than tortellini...depending, your gluten-free guest may also be able to eat this, so you could skip the rice (it's a different gluten than wheat gluten, so you'd have to know why they don't eat gluten)...https://www.verywell.com/is-risotto-gluten-free-562824

Okay, I'd add on a stewed red cabbage (perfect Christmas color and perfect duck accompaniment) or an orange-glazed carrot - also a gorgeous color for the table and perfect duck dish...and neither is very expensive (nor is the duck, which has been $2.99/lb at my local grocery since November...

 

[Hikergirl]

I have two ovens, they are so small. The rest of the meal is stove top.

LOL, that explains it!

 

[mjkacmom]

I would probably go for duck, if you want something fancy and different vs cornish game hens. Game hens are a pain to cook, eat, and feed so few.

For the vegetarian (if they eat cheese, which I'm assuming since you are planning tortellini), I'd make a beautiful risotto - so impressive, not too hard, and it goes great with duck (I've done this on Easter - Duck and risotto is my kids favorite food). It also seems "fancier" and "more special" than tortellini...depending, your gluten-free guest may also be able to eat this, so you could skip the rice (it's a different gluten than wheat gluten, so you'd have to know why they don't eat gluten)...https://www.verywell.com/is-risotto-gluten-free-562824

Oops, you have salad - I'll think on an extra dish...

Risotto is rice, I actually make it a lot in the rice cooker.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Risotto is rice, I actually make it a lot in the rice cooker.

Yes, I know - but I'd let the gluten-free know that's what would be made, in case they object to the concept of all types of gluten or just wheat-based gluten (which is the norm b/c that is what causes digestive issues for some). If they'll eat rice, I suspect the latter, but you never know.

I've learned never to assume - I've had a dessert at a potluck where I thought everyone could eat it, but then the marshmallows were a problem b/c they could have gelatin, so they were not Halal...hadn't even crossed my mind...it was dye-free, vegetarian, nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free (and yes, I had all those different folks, and I thought I was good...but I still wasn't...

 

[Soulsearching]

Yes, I know - but I'd let the gluten-free know that's what would be made, in case they object to the concept of all types of gluten or just wheat-based gluten (which is the norm b/c that is what causes digestive issues for some). If they'll eat rice, I suspect the latter, but you never know.

I've learned never to assume - I've had a dessert at a potluck where I thought everyone could eat it, but then the marshmallows were a problem b/c they could have gelatin, so they were not Halal...hadn't even crossed my mind...it was dye-free, vegetarian, nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free (and yes, I had all those different folks, and I thought I was good...but I still wasn't...

Well, we have one that is Gluten Free and one that is Celiac.

The one that is Celiac is bringing the rice that I would be cooking with the meal, because she likes this one brand that comes with seasoning (I have had it and it is good) and she is so scared of contamination that she will probably be watching me cook.

As for duck, I will also take that into consideration. Thanks!

 

[luvsJack]

Personally, we love game hens and it is kinda nice that you don't have to worry about having "enough" for everyone. Just one hen per person. And I have never found them too much trouble to cook, whether for 4 or 14. As long as there is room in the oven, really they are easy peasy.

This is the recipe we like to use the most. I know it says for two but I just double or triple or whatever to get enough for the number I need. Not sure how it would work or if it would work with the Gluten-Free but there are lots of great recipes online for game hens.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/229741...ingContentType=recipe hub&clickId=cardslot 21

 

[HeatherC]

If you are not set on Cornish Game Hens, I actually think a Prime Rib is the easiest for a crowd. Just season it with olive oil, salt and pepper and chopped rosemary and thyme. Can make a horseradish sauce and Bernaise Sauce for people to choose from. May actually cost you less than 15 game hens too. Just an idea.

 

[MomToOne]

I am not a fan of trying out new recipes on a crowd. I like to go with tried-and-true recipes in those situations.
I've had some spectacular failures with new recipes that I thought for sure would be great, hence the reason for being gun-shy

 

[Soulsearching]

duplicate

 

[Soulsearching]

If you are not set on Cornish Game Hens, I actually think a Prime Rib is the easiest for a crowd. Just season it with olive oil, salt and pepper and chopped rosemary and thyme. Can make a horseradish sauce and Bernaise Sauce for people to choose from. May actually cost you less than 15 game hens too. Just an idea.

Ha ha, I'm making this Christmas Eve!!!
Yep, you read that right. I'm entertaining both nights.
My Prime Rib Roast menu is fail proof with this crowd. I have been using this menu for years. Got this down pat.

 

[Moomduck1]

My daughter is a vegetarian. She loves pierogis on Christmas Eve and stuffed shells Christmas day. The red sauce with green basil on top looks very festive. Plus, I can make it in advance and shove it in the oven when it's time.

 

[Soulsearching]

Personally, we love game hens and it is kinda nice that you don't have to worry about having "enough" for everyone. Just one hen per person. And I have never found them too much trouble to cook, whether for 4 or 14. As long as there is room in the oven, really they are easy peasy.

This is the recipe we like to use the most. I know it says for two but I just double or triple or whatever to get enough for the number I need. Not sure how it would work or if it would work with the Gluten-Free but there are lots of great recipes online for game hens.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/229741/orange-cornish-hen-for-two/?internalSource=hub recipe&referringId=14908&referringContentType=recipe hub&clickId=cardslot 21

Thank you!

 

[tinkarooni]

Arborio rice (risotto) is gluten free, it is not any type of gluten. The problem is when someone adds something to the arborio rice, like broth that is not gluten free or different grains in a recipe to make risotto. I have celiac disease and eat my homemade risotto all the time, but I know exactly what's in it.

Just FYI.

Op, if you skip the rolls and butter you could make gluten free cornbread, which would go lovely with your poultry dish and would feed the gluten free folks too. It would be a nice change from plain old bread and butter. Make the bread into mini muffins, people can take one or a few. You could serve them with a honey bear, how decadent.

 

[Soulsearching]

Arborio rice (risotto) is gluten free, it is not any type of gluten. The problem is when someone adds something to the arborio rice, like broth that is not gluten free or different grains in a recipe to make risotto. I have celiac disease and eat my homemade risotto all the time, but I know exactly what's in it.

Just FYI.

Op, if you skip the rolls and butter you could make gluten free cornbread, which would go lovely with your poultry dish and would feed the gluten free folks too. It would be a nice change from plain old bread and butter. Make the bread into mini muffins, people can take one or a few. You could serve them with a honey bear, how decadent.

Love the Gluten Free Cornbread idea!

So true about the risotto. I would have had to use vegetable broth that is gluten free to make this.

She is bringing the rice with seasoning (gluten free) she wants me to use, so that dish has been solved.

 

[Soulsearching]

I am not a fan of trying out new recipes on a crowd. I like to go with tried-and-true recipes in those situations.
I've had some spectacular failures with new recipes that I thought for sure would be great, hence the reason for being gun-shy

I just love the thrill of an adventure! and sometimes you take people with you.
The family knows it's my first time making this and they are all for it.