Need Christmas Dinner Suggestions

[somethingshiny]

I come from a HUGE family and we''ve always had Christmas Dinner with them. So, I''m unsure of how to cook for only a few people. My mom does Christmas Eve at her house, and DH''s family does Christmas night. So, I want to do Christmas Dinner (lunch). DH is an only child so, dinner would be for four s (his parents and us) and one toddler. I threw something quick together last year. But, this year I''d like to do a REAL Christmas Dinner.

DH and his parents are the pickiest people on the planet!! So I need basic food just prepared a little more "fancy" or something. I''m going with ham. And, that has to stay untouched. (no glaze or anything

!) Other than that, they''ll eat potatoes, some fruit, very few vegetables, and bread. They eat some soups (and we''ve got an entire thread devoted to that!!) I know that''s not much to work with, hence the post! (all I can think of is throwing a sprig of rosemary on top of a pile of mashed potatoes!) Dessert will be all of my baking stuff. (I usually make 12-15 dozen cookies and pies and breads for all of the family.)

Any recipes, or serving suggestions would be appreciated. TIA!!

 

[divergrrl]

Oh god..me too. I''m hosting dinner this year & my foodie friends are coming over. Dh hates prime rib, so that''s out. (and I''ve never done one).

Any creative turkey ideas? Watch, I wind up ordering my dinner precooked from the market...(god bless the foofy organic markets here...they save my a$$ every time).

 

[oobiecoo]

Do they eat green beans? One of my family''s fav recipes I make is tarragon green beans. Get canned or fresh(cooked) beans and marinate them in vinegar, tarragon vinegar, olive oil, garlic salt, and whole or chopped garlic. They are very zesty so its not for everyone.

I saw a recipe for sweet potatos on TV that looked yummy... much better than what my mom does with them with all that brown sugar and marshmallows (yuck!). They cut them in strips but you could do "rounds", and tossed them in an olive oil seasoning blend that I think had things like cinnamon and nutmeg, then spread them out to bake. They looked pretty easy.

Pasta salads are always good too...

 

[appletini]

Make mashed potatoes like normal and then bake them in a casserole dish with slices of mozzarella cheese in the layers and on top.

 

[KimberlyH]

Roasted potatoes...yummmmmmm........

Cut up potatoes like you would an apple. drizzle w/ EVOO, salt, pepper, italian seasoning. Bake at 350 until crisp. One of my favorite things.

Do you have a Honey Baked Ham around? You can buy 1/2 a ham and bake it -- or order one online -- w/ some brussel sprouts (another fave of mine), green beans, corn, whatever, some yummy potatoes and rolls. Voile...dinner is served.

 

[somethingshiny]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far! KEEP EM COMIN!!

Oobiecoo- I would LOVE those beans, but they don''t eat them.

or pasta salad.

They don''t like candied sweet potatoes, but maybe they''ll eat the roasted ones.

Apple- interesting with the cheese. I think I''ll try that soon and see how well DH likes it.

Kimberly- I did the roasted potatoes last year. I love them and make them all the time. Sometimes I sprinkle parmesan on them and then stick them under the broiler for a few minutes after they''re roasted. mmmm. NO honey-ham. It has to be completely plain. Just cooked for about 7 hours. No sprouts, no beans, argh!! So, I''m at ham, potatoes, corn and bread.

I should just make all of MY favorites and they can try it or starve!

 

[oobiecoo]

If I were you, I'd make hotdogs. EVERYONE eats those! My best friend is super picky so I know how you feel

ETA: What about deviled eggs?

 

[somethingshiny]

only Mil and I eat deviled eggs! Although for dinners at my mom''s house, I HAVE to bring 5 dozen (2.5 dozen whole eggs). My brother, my dad and my uncle will literally eat 10 eggs each!!

It''s not cooking that I can''t do. I''m a fair cook.

It''s the cooking for picky people, and only for four. I don''t know how much to make for four.