Soup or salad for Christmas dinner???

Question

I am cooking Christmas dinner for myself, my husband, my parents and my in-laws. I want to make it a few courses so was thinking of making either a soup or salad as the second course (after some appetizers). One thought was a cream of onion soup or a baked potato soup. Or, do I make a simple garden salad for each person?
In everyone's opinion what is best. Or, can anyone give me any other ideas? I'd really appreciate it!
Thanks!

If it helps the main course is going to be ham, roasted red potatoes and asparagus.The appetizers are just going to be pigs in a blanket and a veggie platter.

As for the climate question, I live in NJ and right now it's freezing.

Answer 1

Personally, I'd go with a salad for a couple different reasons. One, soup is very filling and the salad would be lighter to balance out the heavy meal. Two, soup goes cold fast. People can still pick at salad while they're eating the big meal at least.

So I vote for a somewhat simple green salad. Like mixed greens, a vinaigrette, candied walnuts or pecans, and dried cranberries.

Answer 2

You sound as though you have a pretty good handle on things here and I note you didn't ask for a recipe so I won't offer you one.
I make both. Some like soup others prefer salad. I make one large green salad and a pot of chicken soup, the salad goes on the table and I serve the soup. There is so much going on that I try to keep it simple. I've never heard any complaints, so far. My sons eat both and so do their wives, my Mother eats very little but will have a tablespoon of salad & 1/2 cup of soup. My father opts for the soup only. The grandchildren often skip the salad or soup and that's OK. The toddlers? Well their parents usually decide on some chicken soup (I put pasta in mine - tiny pastas like pepi bucato or orzo). Any time the in-laws attend every other year (my sons' in laws that is) then they usually have a bit of everything and they do like a lot of thick gravy. Personally, I've already had my share of the soup the day before while I was preparing it and the salad for lunch on Christmas Day. I can't sit all of the time with the family and I do sit at the table for sure, but I have to be the one to be clearing the plates & setting up for the next course. If there is too much time waiting for the next course the children get restless and then just want dessert. It works for me.

Answer 3

Hi Amanda,
You could do both. If your apps. are served hot then maybe something cool to the palate like a crisp salad would be nice. You can make your own dressing to impress. All basic viniagrettes are measured as 3 parts oil to one part acidic. Like 6 ozs. of olive oil and 2 ozs. of apple cider vinegar or balsamic. Finely chop shallots and use them in the dressing. A spoon of dijon mustard works as well. I have some great salad recipes plus some awesome soups like Cream of mushroom, French onion soup and many more. I also have a book called "The soup Bible" with unbelievable recipes many are simple but great in taste and presentation. Presestation is always important. If you feel comfortable you can email me at [e-mail]. I am about to graduate from culinary school and am on Christmas break so I have some down time to help people. If anyone wants to chat with a "foodie" email me. Good luck and whatever you do will be good. Just cook with passion!!

Answer 4

Christmas Broccoli Salad

Ingredients-
4 1/2 cups broccoli florets
3 cups chopped sweet red pepper
10 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1/3 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon cider or red wine vinegar
Dash pepper


Preparation-
In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, vinegar and pepper until smooth. Pour over broccoli mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Answer 5

That soup sounds excellent but I would go for the salad for some healthy vitamins and fiber (we eat enough bad for you things on this day). OR you can have soup and maybe have a raw veggie and dip platter. Have fun and Merry Christmas.

Answer 6

Do you live in a warm or cold climate? If it's cold where you are, go with the soup. It's a great comfort food on a cold day. I like the baked potato soup myself.

Answer 7

I think that the soup may take away from the main course of the meal so if it were me, I'd make salad. You can make really pretty salads such as spinich or ceasar, the key to a good salad is the toppings.

Merry Christmas and happy cooking! :)

Answer 8

My folks had a Christmas wedding (in MI in 1959). Her bridemaids all had white fur headbands and muffs. People gave them Christmas ornaments for wedding presents. Perhaps you could have an activity where people make or decorate ornaments for your tree? It could be a very simple craft activity, and could provide you with years of keepsakes. Though you say you are not dancing types, I'm hearing that more specifically, you are not fans of pop music and the like. For our own wedding we hired a small Ceili band, and had someone call some simple line and country dances. It was fun for many of the guests, from the children up through the grandparents. Most people felt equally awkward, so there was a lot of laughing and fun.

Answer 9

Either would be fine. A salad would be easier considering the number of courses you're making (and give you a break)!

You could jazz up a garden salad by using greens, dried cranberries, blue cheese, and sugared pecans as your salad. A red wine vingarette makes a good dressing.

Answer 10

I like both, but if you are going to have the salad make this recipe for the dressing

1 package of fresh basil
3 garlic gloves
2 cups of veg oil
2 cups of apple cider vinegar
1 cup of sugar
1/2 tablespoon of salt
1/2 tablespoon of pepper

blend in blender for 15 min straight at HIGH let cool, place in a container and place in the fridge for a couple of hours. Serve with Baby Spinach, Dried Cranberries and Garganzola cheese (opptional slice green apples and Walnuts)