I am 42, an ok cook, have never cooked a christmas dinner ,new family this year and I m going for it any tips?

Question

patner , me an 3 kids , 9,8 and 5

Answer 1

Something easy but elegant would be a standing rib roast. Nothing to do but, apply a rub and pop it in the oven. ( be sure to buy at least three ribs)

1 (5 lb) standing rib roast
Allow roast to stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Rub roast with House Seasoning; or McCormick's Herb & Garlic seasoning. (I usually dampen the outsine of the roast and pat on the seasoning until I have as thick a coating as possible.)
place roast on a rack in the pan with the rib side down and the fatty side up.
Roast for 1 hour. Turn off oven. Leave roast in oven but do not open oven door for 3 hours.
About 30 to 40 minutes before serving time, turn oven to 375°F and reheat the roast. Important: Do not remove roast or re-open the oven door from time roast is put in until ready to serve.
Cover with foil and let stand for 15 minutes before cutting.
Note: It will be rare. If anyone wants it done medium, dip their slice in a pot of simmering au jus for 1 minute. Or you can blacken it for them. (you can alway cook it more, never less)

Serve with Au Jus, horseradish, a side verggie and baked potatoes and salad.
What could be easier?

Answer 2

I think that Christmas dinner is one of the more simple holiday meals. Start with a pre-cooked, pre-sliced ham, and then add whatever side dishes your family likes. Add at least one item that you've never fixed before and they'll all be impressed.

Here's a recipe that your kids would probably like...

Quick Cranberry Chutney

1 9 ounce package of dried mincemeat, such as Nonesuch
1 12 ounce can of jellied cranberry sauce
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
¼ cup chopped pecans

Crumble the mincemeat into a medium saucepan. Add the jellied cranberry sauce and the apple cider vinegar. Mix well. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture just starts to bubble. Stir in the chopped pecans. Chill for several hours or overnight before serving.

Answer 3

A Christmas dinner should be fun for all of you. Pick the ingredients that you know most of you are going to like, source your local producers (or visit your nearby farm during the week end) and try to find valid ideas on the basis of the ingredients that you can find locally. Winter in Europe normally equals root vegetables - beetroot, potatoes, and all types of cabbages - which will complement your roast perfectly. Remember: the simpler the better : steamed vegs are excellent when served with good quality extra virgin olive oil or melted butter and a handful of finely chopped chives.

Answer 4

I will be doing some cooking. But we cook on Christmas eve and have cold meals on christmas. It is often hot in Australia and by having a hot meal we only add to the heat. So our Christmas meals involve prawns, ham and cold chicken, salads and fruit. It comes together well and tastes great.

Answer 5

well you could either do all those half assed dinners people are telling you, or do somthing good to impress, maybe a prime rib, with a nice green salad with wlanuts, red onion and raspbery vinegrett, maybe some blue cheese,garlic parm mashed potatoes, bacon roasted brusssel sprouts, corn on the cob, maybe a chesse tray or a baked brie, and try crem brulee, or chocolate mousse for dessert, and some rolls, get really good ones, and baste them with butter before you stick them in the oven toheat, or you could even do a lobster dinner if your daring. i know this is a little more "fancy", but hey its new family and you dont want them to thik you cheaped out, and that you just dont care.

Answer 6

Make it simi-homemade. Order a nice ham (from honey ham) and make all the "fixing" for the meal. Candied yams, greenbean casserole (easy) maybe some corn and nice cresents. Jello salad for the kids to fuss over, and maybe some pork stuffing. I like to cook alot of different dishes on Christmas. Love seeing my kids eyes light up when they see some of their favorites. Oh! don't forget the macaroni and cheese. Not out of the box either!

Answer 7

As long as you dont cook the cat again this year you'll be fine, and lay off the red wine or those poor kids will be eatin from the kebab shop again

Answer 8

H.E.B has fully cooked hams, turkey, chicken and side dishes. All you have to do is heat them at 350 for about an hour, and it would be literally impossible for them to tell that you didn't cook it yourself ; )

Answer 9

My tip for you is to stay calm and have a stiff drink beside yer!

Answer 10

Keep it simple, Dont try a bunch of things you have never cooked.
Kids are pretty easy to please with creamy cassarol foods.