Holiday Dinners

[PoppyGrove]

I want to go to Babs house for dinner and forget making it myself!!!

You'd be more than welcome. Well, in my time I did used to work in catering and have cooked dinners (and buffets) for up to 200 people, but my few ex' have had large families and I always did the dinners - don't know why it happened that way - probably because its easier to keep out of the mother in laws way by hiding in the kitchen and keeping her out of it. Yep - if I was catering for guests - they kept out of the kitchen. If I needed help, I'd shout for it - but I never did. I have my own way of doing things, and it has always stood me in good stead. And - this is the good bit - the washing up is done (saucepans & all) as I go, so the only dishes to wash are the ones on the table.

I've done the homemade breads, pastries, cakes, chutneys, jams and wine too. There is nothing more satisfying than growing your own veg, picking it, then preparing it for a chutney and then eating it. I had 2 large greenhouses at one time, and I was picking a 2 gal bucket full of toms every day. Imagine the chutney I had.

[heidelbergreece]

We have a garden and grow alot of veg. and we also have chickens and turkeys. I have a bunch of pumpkins sitting on my porch waiting to be used, for pies.

[ejean9]

We have a garden and grow alot of veg. and we also have chickens and turkeys. I have a bunch of pumpkins sitting on my porch waiting to be used, for pies.

oh..have you a recipe for pumpkin pie you can share ???
please ?

[PoppyGrove]

You could do a chutney from them too. Its a sort of savory sauce along the similar lines to out brandson pickle - but the flavor will vary depending on what veg, or fruit you use.

When I dig out the other receipes to send you, I'll see if I have one here for pumpkins too.

[raindropsies]

Christmas dinner in our house cooked by Paul is

Turkey (really big)
Stuffing x 2 types Sage & onion, Thyme & parsley
Roast spuds
Boiled spuds
Sweetcorn mash
Garden peas
Mushy peas
Baked beans
Brussels
White Cabbage
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Sweet potato
Oxtail soup for gravy
Carrots
Parsnip
Swede / turnip
Tomatoes

Last year he cooked the main christmas dinner on Boxing day and it was for 23. This year it will be for only 15

We don't have it Christmas day as there is not enough hours in the day, but we have a 1 pan wonder at about 10 am followed by buffet type meal at aroung 5pm

[JerseyDevil]

Meat Loaf for Holidays and Beyond:

2 1/2 Pounds Ground Beef
1/4 Pound Italian Sausage
3/4 Cup Tomatoes -- chopped fine
1/2 Cup Yellow Onion -- chopped fine
1/2 Cup Green Bell Pepper -- chopped fine
1 Tablespoons Garlic Clove -- minced
1 1/2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
2 Tablespoons Pickapeppa Sauce
2 Whole Eggs
1 1/4 Cups Dry Bread Crumbs
1 1/2 Teaspoons Black Pepper
2 Teaspoons Oregano
1 Tablespoon Salt

Topping
1/2 Cup Ketchup
2 Tablespoons Honey
3 Tablespoons Pickapeppa Sauce


Mix all ingredients gently, but well and form into a loaf in a baking pan.

Do not overmix, as this tends to make for a tough (too firm) meatloaf.

Mix topping ingredients together and coat top of meatloaf.

Bake for 1 ½ hours at 350 degrees F. Cover for first 45 minutes.

[UniquenMornique]

Christmas dinner in our house cooked by Paul is

Turkey (really big)
Stuffing x 2 types Sage & onion, Thyme & parsley
Roast spuds
Boiled spuds
Sweetcorn mash
Garden peas
Mushy peas
Baked beans
Brussels
White Cabbage
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Sweet potato
Oxtail soup for gravy
Carrots
Parsnip
Swede / turnip
Tomatoes

Last year he cooked the main christmas dinner on Boxing day and it was for 23. This year it will be for only 15

We don't have it Christmas day as there is not enough hours in the day, but we have a 1 pan wonder at about 10 am followed by buffet type meal at aroung 5pm

What no Asparagus no spring cabbage no cheese sause not coming then!!!!!!!!! Ha! Ha! Ha! only kidding Sarah sounds wonderful whats for afters?

[penny291]

We have all the traditional stuff at christmas, if you use packet sage and onion stuffing, chop an onion finely and add cranberry then bake in oven, it's lovely, sometimes instead of cranberry we use apple sauce, it is just as nice. At Christmas I have around 15/20 for dinner and make an evening buffet for other callers, it's hectic, noisy, and wonderful, by around 4pm have usually had enough drink to not bother about the mess. Till morning!!!!!!!!

christmas pudding, yum yum

[raindropsies]

What no Asparagus no spring cabbage no cheese sause not coming then!!!!!!!!! Ha! Ha! Ha! only kidding Sarah sounds wonderful whats for afters?

Normally Harrods christmas puddings with brandy sauce and custard

[heidelbergreece]

Hi, I will get out my recipe for the double layer pumpkin pie and share it with you all. Everyone that has tried it says it is wonderful. It is by far the best tasting pie to me.