Simple Christmas Dinner?

Question

I can handle the starter and the sides, but I have no idea how to stuff a turkey... I want a very simple dinner (7ish people) and 1 vergetarian, but I make a kick *** nut roast so I'm sorted with that.

All turkey recipies I've seen are so complicated. I have a small oven and have no idea what size turkey (is it easier just to get a chicken, even though its less Christmassy?) and don't want to faff about when I'm supposed to be having a good time!

Recipies and cooking times would be lovely. Thanks (*and merry christmas to everyone who helps out!

Answer 1

The key here is simple.

It appears that you haven't decided on turkey or chicken. Personally, we have Turkey at Thanksgiving, Ham at Easter, and Standing Rib Roast at Christmas along with the Yorkshire pudding etc etc that's our Traditional Christmas

If you want to proceed with the turkey, fine. Depending on the size you buy should be about 9 - 12 lbs and whether it's deboned, fresh or frozen now there are instructions right on the packaging including cooking times Make sure that if it's frozen you give it a few days to thaw completely in the refrigerator or there will be instructions on it how to cook from frozen. I like my own stuffing but I don't make it anymore and
rarely like some stuffings I am served when dining out because often the're not to my taste with the additives. For the past few years I have opted for a stove top dressing something like Uncle Bens or Stove-Top.

Your idea of chicken surprised me, not at all that unusual, because a lot of people don't like turkey or haven't recovered from Thanksgiving. I do chicken/s for birthdays for 8 usually. I
buy 2 fresh chickens approx 6-8 lbs each as all my family thinks they are more tender and juicier than turkey - want a leg or a wing or a thigh and some only want the breast (only 2 legs on a chicken not enough for everyone but with 2 chickens at least 4 of all the parts and they are satisfied with that). I still use the stove top stuffing with this.

Lots & lots of gravy wanted at my Christmas table.

The vegetarian will be well served with all of the sides you have lined up i.e. salads, legumes maybe with some tofu added.

Keep it simple and make sure that you enjoy the Christmas feast as well.

Answer 2

For 7 people,you will only need an 8 to 10 lb. turkey.It will be roasted in 3-4 hours at 350 degrees.
Buy a box of stuffing mix.There are directions on the box as to how to make the stuffing for putting in the bird.It comes out quite delicious. Clean the bird and get the excess moisture out of it by using paper towels before stuffing it.
There is also nothing wrong with buying a chicken and roasting that.You can also add the stuffing mix to it.
Don't let turkey recipes throw you off.It's very simple to do.Place the turkey/chicken on a roasting rack in your roasting pan.If you have no rack,it's fine to place it right into the pan.I rub mine with butter/margarine so it browns really nicely.Of course,you've already stuffed the bird.
Add a bit of water to the pan (about a half inch) and check it periodically,adding more water if need be.
You can use the pan drippings to make gravy.
Nothing says you have to serve turkey.A roast beef dinner would be lovely too.Whatever you're most comfortable with so you can enjoy your day.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Answer 3

Turkey really is easy to roast. I basically just roast it the same way I roast a chicken...you just need to bake it for the right amount of time related to how much it weighs. Here's a chart to go by:

http://www.the-perfect-turkey.com/how-long-to-cook-a-turkey.html

As for stuffing, you can do Stove-Top for the easy answer. Or you can make your own. If you do a stove top variety of dressing, then just put one bunch (meaning how it is bundled at the grocery store) of green onions and a tablespoon of rubbed sage into the turkey cavity for flavour.

Or, for something different...I think this is sort of Southern...you could stuff the bird with Uncle Ben's seasoned Wild Rice.

Good luck with the dinner!

Answer 4

What you serve isn't as important as the people you serve it too - if you really want to enjoy your holidays - why not get sliced turkey breast from the deli -heat it up in gravy and there you go - you can be really simple and serve hot turkey sandwiches or you can make stove top stuffing and all the sides - whatever, just be sure to enjoy your company - and have a Merry Christmas!

Answer 5

You can buy a Turkey Dinner at Walmart for $35.00 Turkey, potatoes, gravy and more!
I had surgery just before Thanksgiving last year, so I bought this ahead of time and had the hubby pick it up for me.

It was really good! Didn't like the giblets gravy.. but some people do!

Answer 6

There is a Butterball Turkey Hotline & web-site.
They'll answer any & all such turkey questions.
Measure your oven size before calling.
Stuffing a turkey is a lot of work & can be risky.
You can buy a rolled turkey breast, already stuffed.
One year we stuffed a pepper squash with sunflower seeds.
My vegetarian cousins loved it.

Answer 7

Rachael Ray did a 60 minute christmas dinner with roasted cornish game hens, and some sides... it looked really good, you can probably find the recipies on the food network website

Answer 8

ask someone to do it for you. so all you ahve to do is cook it!