OT: Need suggestions for holiday dinner - Page 2

Thanks Trailrider.  That sounds like a great dinner!!!!  We already got the drinks scotch (10 yrs), whiskey (8 yrs) wine (last month -lol), but I was as yet undecided on the beer.  I will check what darks are available this week.

Thanks again.

So looks like some sort of easy oysters for sure.

W

Unless you have a few people to help with prep and serving (read: staff, paid, volunteer OR "otherwise" LOL) you had better go with a buffet.  I am fond of anything that can be prepared in advance and/or roasted in the oven for large parties. I use the roasting bag method. Hard to screw up as long as you keep an eye on the meat thermometers. You can also roast potatoes, celery and root vegetables in bags, with butter, all cut up a day or two before.

Be sure to have an "alternate" appetizer or two if you serve oysters. They are really easy, no real prep outside the sauce(s) BUT some people are highly allergic to shellfish, and others just plain don't like oysters, especially on the half-shell. I have an awesome recipe for not-really-Swedish meatballs with a sour cream lemon sauce you can make in advance and heat up in a chafing dish Day Of that never results in leftovers. (the secret is the lemon and the meat mix)

For meat dishes, turkey is fine if your event is not too close to TG. (Anyone sick of turkey this week?) Goose and duck can get greasy if you don't roast it on a rack, can dry out if you do (big gamble if you haven't done it before) Maybe consider Prime Rib Roast (if you want a carving stand) or, easier, stuffed pork tenderloins (cornbread, raisen, pecan stuffing) with or without flaky pastry "croute". Gotta be careful with lamb. Some folks don't like it and if you overcook it just a little it gets tough as mutton. If you go with poultry of any kind, try making two dressings, one with wild rice, brown rice, fruit and nuts, and the other with cornbread and more traditional vegies, both cooked with chicken stock instead of water for richer flavor. Another "thought"... Cornish game hens, split before roasting, with dressing. Ask the butcher to split them with the band saw to save time/effor, even if he has to defrost and take the plastic wrappers off before you pick them up. Your butcher (even a chain supermarket butcher) can be your very best friend at a time like this!  Don't forget to tip him. If you have to go to a high-dollar specialty market/butcher, this sounds like the time to do so.

Other vegies? Squash... any kind, cut into individual size servings, baked in the oven drizzled with butter and brown sugar. My bean casserole, but its a pain in the ass if you leave all the prep till "Day Of." I have an excellent family recipe for made-from-scratch Caesar Salad, prepared in front of your audience to impress (or not) that is so easy I learned it at age 7 and it still impresses people for some reason.

Words of Wisdom: I am a veteran of a few truly disasterous dinner parties, held in my younger years. (yes, including the neck and the bag of giblets left inside the turkey once)  Nowadays I don't plan to serve anything I haven't practiced with in advance, even on a small scale, to anyone I wouldn't want to politely move my offerings around their plates in horror while they swill the wine and consider what's on their route home and open at that time of night.

Budget and staff info would help, also your geographic location. Seasonal/local is always good. If I lived near by I would come cook the whole thing for you, just because I love to do it and never get the chance since I moved to the sticks of PA.

Good luck!

SS

Thank you SOOOOO MUCH, SS.

I could fly you in.  How much would you charge.

Event is on the 20th

W

I don't charge for cooking, only dog training. But if you fly me in and give me a budget for the event I promise to spend every last cent of it to impress your guests. LOL I'm ready for a break from the cold in PA anyway. Ha ha ha.

SS

I make an oustanding spam kabob-  tell folks what they are after they eat it.......

We always had a Christmas Goose or Honey baked Ham (Irish Meal)

Im partial to deep fried Turkey, nothing like it really.

And the usual sides...egg nog homemade, sweet potato pie, strawberry jello dish with whip cream, butter rolls, green bean casserole,  (Olives, chips, and veggie tray for appetizers)..

OMG!!!! I AM SOOOOOO HUNGRY NOW!!!!

Mmmm, Me to.

I heard that fried turkey was kinda dangerous if you don't know what you are doing.  Have you ever had a problem doing it?

SS, you tell me when and where to send the ticket. 

W

They make and sell the deep friers especailly for turkey, along with the peanut oil and marinades to inject In the turkey-garlic, Cajun etc Nothing dangerous about it, just a little messy, do it outside on your porch or garage is my advice.

It is in a word, Phenomenal and unlike anything youll ever have.

Its not breaded and deep fried just fried so its not altogether unhealthy for you!

hey two other really good ways to prepare a turkey.

One is Hawaian style, the turkey is buried in a fire pit overnight in hot coals... Really incredible A freind of mine does iit and if you ever have the chance it is excellent. I don't know the particlulars on how to do this

I personally will do mine in the smoker with some mesquite chips  with a solution of  merlot wine, olive oil, oregano, jalapeno and habanaro peppers, onions and garlic (all fresh) ocasionally baste the turkey with the smoking soluution I will also throw some butter on it later in the smoking process to keep it moist.

If you like the unusual as i do these are both outstanding

Jeff