Christmas Dinner Help needed

[TwoMisfits]

I would second the corn bread...the more dishes you can make that everyone can eat, the better...then you have less "other" dishes you have to make and less worries about cross-contaminating...

I'd really only serve the main meat (whether you go Cornish hen, duck, or some other poultry) and a gravy/stock as the items everyone could not all have. Everything else at the main table I'd try to make work for everyone. It's one of the reasons I'd go with risotto over tortellini (although you could also go with a decadent potato dish). If you don't like risotto b/c you already have rice, you could also do a baked eggplant parm that everyone could enjoy (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/gluten-free-eggplant-parmesan.html). Spaghetti squash "pasta" with a red sauce and a pesto on the side could also be fun (and easy). I'd want a dish that is protein-filled for the vegetarian and still works for the gluten-free folks...

I did a Thanksgiving with no dairy or dairy-based products one year - it made for some of my best cooking and the only dish I made non-dairy free was the adult dessert (b/c I had berry sorbet sundaes for the kids who were dairy-free, and the kids and adults were having dessert separately)...and I did all those dishes the 1st time that day (and still do an olive oil turkey to this day)

 

[TwoMisfits]

Out of left field thought...
Since you are having traditional Christmas dinner Christmas Eve, you could do the normally Italian-inspired Christmas Eve dinner for Christmas - maybe not the 7 fishes, but you could do a Gluten-Free Cheese Lasagna (oven #1), the Gluten-Free Eggplant Parm I posted above (oven #2), a nice plate of Roasted Veg (make ahead and rewarm while lasagna cooling), a nice Green Salad, and maybe a Canteloupe Balsamic salad (there are a few on the internet - and they are good)...

You could serve an antipasti platter (without the meats) and your tomato/basil and veg platter pre-dinner and the whole dinner is themed and yummy...

And if you have to appease the meat eaters, I ate meatballs on Christmas day every year of my childhood, so a beautiful Italian meatball is always perfect for an Italian meal (I think Rachel Ray is all about the beautiful Bolognese on pasta for Christmas...

Just a totally different idea that keeps all the food "making sense" - I know the rice wouldn't fit here, but if she had a gluten-free pasta your friend liked, you could use that product for her...

 

[Soulsearching]

Out of left field thought...
Since you are having traditional Christmas dinner Christmas Eve, you could do the normally Italian-inspired Christmas Eve dinner for Christmas - maybe not the 7 fishes, but you could do a Gluten-Free Cheese Lasagna (oven #1), the Gluten-Free Eggplant Parm I posted above (oven #2), a nice plate of Roasted Veg (make ahead and rewarm while lasagna cooling), a nice Green Salad, and maybe a Canteloupe Balsamic salad (there are a few on the internet - and they are good)...

You could serve an antipasti platter (without the meats) and your tomato/basil and veg platter pre-dinner and the whole dinner is themed and yummy...

And if you have to appease the meat eaters, I ate meatballs on Christmas day every year of my childhood, so a beautiful Italian meatball is always perfect for an Italian meal (I think Rachel Ray is all about the beautiful Bolognese on pasta for Christmas...

Just a totally different idea that keeps all the food "making sense" - I know the rice wouldn't fit here, but if she had a gluten-free pasta your friend liked, you could use that product for her...

Christmas Eve:
The 7 fishes did come up, but we have people who are allergic to fish.
As for going Italian, that's a normal menu, meatballs and all on any given Sunday with this crowd.
But, I give you a big thumbs up on the Cantelope Balsamic Salad!!! Love that!

 

[usnuzuloose]

I love cornish game hens. 1 is enough pp. May cook four at once, and wrap them up in foil and put them in a crockpot just to keep them on warm.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Another left field idea (I'm the one that now does the Christmas Story dinner here, so I'm all about Christmas and left field)...since you do Italian all the time, how about a Mexican Christmas? This is also easy to adapt to full vegetarian and gluten-free without seeming like the meat-eaters are missing something.

You could go with the Mexican Christmas Eve tradition of tamales as the centerpiece...for apps, you could make a beautiful guac, pico, and salsa (I love mango salsa when I do this) with gluten-free blue corn chips and you could have a Mexican Christmas Punch. Then you could make a nice gluten-free bean and veg tamale (tamales have the impressive presentation) - filling is even make ahead - double positive, gluten-free cheese enchiladas, black beans, Mexican fruit salad, and rice (and reserve the accompaniments from the apps to re-serve as toppings...It also tastes good and the dishes above aren't that "hot" in case you have worries about spice levels...

 

[Soulsearching]

I love cornish game hens. 1 is enough pp. May cook four at once, and wrap them up in foil and put them in a crockpot just to keep them on warm.

Thanks!

 

[usnuzuloose]

Thanks!

You could probably find some a thrift store, so it is cheaper. Just plug them in at the store to make sure they heat up. Your welcome

 

[Soulsearching]

Another left field idea (I'm the one that now does the Christmas Story dinner here, so I'm all about Christmas and left field)...since you do Italian all the time, how about a Mexican Christmas? This is also easy to adapt to full vegetarian and gluten-free without seeming like the meat-eaters are missing something.

You could go with the Mexican Christmas Eve tradition of tamales as the centerpiece...for apps, you could make a beautiful guac, pico, and salsa (I love mango salsa when I do this) with gluten-free blue corn chips and you could have a Mexican Christmas Punch. Then you could make a nice gluten-free bean and veg tamale (tamales have the impressive presentation) - filling is even make ahead - double positive, gluten-free cheese enchiladas, black beans, Mexican fruit salad, and rice (and reserve the accompaniments from the apps to re-serve as toppings...It also tastes good and the dishes above aren't that "hot" in case you have worries about spice levels...

Love your left field ideas!
Need to keep this menu. Even if I do not use it for Christmas, it will be used!
Please PM recipes.
Thanks again!

 

[TwoMisfits]

Tamale Base - http://glutenfreecooking.about.com/od/entrees/r/Gluten-Free-Homemade-Tamale-Recipe.htm (it shows the veg subs in the recipe)
Tamale Fillings (2 gluten-free veg ones are on here) - http://mexicanfood.about.com/od/deliciousmaindishes/a/tamalefillings.htm
Mexican Christmas Punch - http://www.themijachronicles.com/2010/12/how-to-make-ponche-the-traditional-mexican-christmas-punch/ (This one is fancy - you can dumb it down a little or sub some fruits if you can't find or don't like them - I'd taste this and adjust at the end)...
Gluten-Free Cheese Enchiladas (the "Sandra Lee" cheat version - ie - all bought gluten-free veg products) - http://www.virtuallyhomemade.com/2013/05/easy-cheesey-enchiladas-gluten-free.html - if you want your own homemade gluten-free sauce, see this site and sub gluten-free veg broth for the chicken broth...
http://iowagirleats.com/2015/08/10/...as-with-homemade-gluten-free-enchilada-sauce/

 

[Soulsearching]

Tamale Base - http://glutenfreecooking.about.com/od/entrees/r/Gluten-Free-Homemade-Tamale-Recipe.htm (it shows the veg subs in the recipe)
Tamale Fillings (2 gluten-free veg ones are on here) - http://mexicanfood.about.com/od/deliciousmaindishes/a/tamalefillings.htm
Mexican Christmas Punch - http://www.themijachronicles.com/2010/12/how-to-make-ponche-the-traditional-mexican-christmas-punch/ (This one is fancy - you can dumb it down a little or sub some fruits if you can't find or don't like them - I'd taste this and adjust at the end)...
Gluten-Free Cheese Enchiladas (the "Sandra Lee" cheat version - ie - all bought gluten-free veg products) - http://www.virtuallyhomemade.com/2013/05/easy-cheesey-enchiladas-gluten-free.html - if you want your own homemade gluten-free sauce, see this site and sub gluten-free veg broth for the chicken broth...
http://iowagirleats.com/2015/08/10/...as-with-homemade-gluten-free-enchilada-sauce/[/Q

Thanks so much!

 

[AquamarineSteph]

Just checking about your vegetarians. They are vegetarians and not vegan? Because if they're vegan, you'll want to use non-dairy cheese.

And for the record, I am vegetarian. When I visit someone, I plan ahead and know that I won't be able to eat what everyone does. I let the hostess know ahead of time so she won't be offended and plan on going for the salad (hopefully no meat in it) and veggies (same wish for no meat). But I figure it's my eating philosophy, so it's my problem to find something to eat instead of making extra work for others. I'd be so thrilled and humbled if someone made something especially for me, like you are planning to do for your vegetarian guests. That's so kind!!

 

[Soulsearching]

Just checking about your vegetarians. They are vegetarians and not vegan? Because if they're vegan, you'll want to use non-dairy cheese.

And for the record, I am vegetarian. When I visit someone, I plan ahead and know that I won't be able to eat what everyone does. I let the hostess know ahead of time so she won't be offended and plan on going for the salad (hopefully no meat in it) and veggies (same wish for no meat). But I figure it's my eating philosophy, so it's my problem to find something to eat instead of making extra work for others. I'd be so thrilled and humbled if someone made something especially for me, like you are planning to do for your vegetarian guests. That's so kind!!

They are vegetarians not vegan. One less thing to worry about. Thanks for checking.

 

[gardengalB4]

We cooked Cornish Game Hens for Christmas one year- we prepared 1 per person...we made a total of 14. We used our Nesco roaster & our oven.
I bought them from Aldis- so not a brand name-but they were delicious.

 

[Soulsearching]

We cooked Cornish Game Hens for Christmas one year- we prepared 1 per person...we made a total of 14. We used our Nesco roaster & our oven.
I bought them from Aldis- so not a brand name-but they were delicious.

Great to hear!

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

I agree with AquamarineSteph. I'm also an vegetarian, for over twenty years. I anticipate not being able to eat what everyone else does. I am easily pleased when I go to someone's house and can eat one dish. Please don't drive yourself crazy over trying to accommodate everyone. I also have a son with severe food allergies and plan ahead for that as well. Even at age nine, he understands the limitations and is okay with that. You are a very generous hostess to go to some much time, energy and effort for your guests. They are lucky to have you!

 

[Soulsearching]

I agree with AquamarineSteph. I'm also an vegetarian, for over twenty years. I anticipate not being able to eat what everyone else does. I am easily pleased when I go to someone's house and can eat one dish. Please don't drive yourself crazy over trying to accommodate everyone. I also have a son with severe food allergies and plan ahead for that as well. Even at age nine, he understands the limitations and is okay with that. You are a very generous hostess to go to some much time, energy and effort for your guests. They are lucky to have you!

Thank you, I am really luck to have them too!

 

[TwoMisfits]

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:

Cheese Tortellini in pesto for Vegetarians - will make a bowl because everyone will want some.

If you think this menu could use some help, please give me your input.

Any and all advice welcomed. Thanks

Was looking for things to make with crazy ingredients I got at the store today (oyster sauce, bean noodles, rice straws, water chestnuts, and straw mushrooms 75% off - sure I'll take them and figure out something crazy and Asian...and while looking for something good to make, I saw a link to a favorite meal I love - gnocchi - but this one would work in the pesto you want for all 15 people since it's vegetarian AND gluten-free (AND protein-filled)...and homemade beautiful gnocchi is like a total special event, so I thought of you...http://grainchanger.com/gluten-free-ricotta-gnocchi/

 

[Soulsearching]

Was looking for things to make with crazy ingredients I got at the store today (oyster sauce, bean noodles, rice straws, water chestnuts, and straw mushrooms 75% off - sure I'll take them and figure out something crazy and Asian...and while looking for something good to make, I saw a link to a favorite meal I love - gnocchi - but this one would work in the pesto you want for all 15 people since it's vegetarian AND gluten-free (AND protein-filled)...and homemade beautiful gnocchi is like a total special event, so I thought of you...http://grainchanger.com/gluten-free-ricotta-gnocchi/

Delish!!!

 

[Eastern]

Not sure how variable the size of these are, but when I made them, half per person was plenty. I made one pp and had leftovers. (I cooked and served them cut in half. It was just my family so no one was shy about getting seconds.)