Thinking Outside the Christmas Meal Wrapped Box

[dpm802]

Xmas meal for me means going out to a Chinese restaurant.

The last few years, I've ordered Edamame and Seaweed Salad.

Then, I go see a movie, and if time allows, hit up a casino.

 

[DoctorShavegood]

The brother called and said he wants me to help him build a CMU smoker for Christmas. It's a BBQ pit that is made with concrete masonry units that supports an expanded metal grate and covered with a large piece of sheet metal. He's thinking about grilling/smoking a lamb from his farm.


...sounds like a lot of work to me.

 

[oc_in_fw]

The brother called and said he wants me to help him build a CMU smoker for Christmas. It's a BBQ pit that is made with concrete masonry units that supports an expanded metal grate and covered with a large piece of sheet metal. He's thinking about grilling/smoking a lamb from his farm.


...sounds like a lot of work to me.

I eagerly await my invite

 

[DoctorShavegood]

Thought I'd bump this thread since it's that time of year. More than likely it will be just me and the wife for Christmas. I have no idea what I'd like to cook. It won't be turkey though, nor mashed potatoes or dressing you can bet on that.

 

[dpm802]

Being that I'm Jewish, my Xmas meals are usually eaten out at a Chinese Restaurant.
The last few years, its been Sang Kee Noodle House in Cherry HIll, NJ,
and I order the Edamame, Seaweed Salad and a Hot Tea for a light nosh.

Moving on through the traditions, we go see a movie in the theater,
I generally avoid buying anything from the concession stands,
but I might sneak in a bottle of water and some snacks in my pocket.

Finally, we wrap up the day's festivities at a Casino.
Here again, I usually don't buy any food,
except perhaps a small cup of Starbucks coffee for the ride home.
At the casino, it costs about double what it does on the outside,
but by that time of night, they're the only game in town.

My people have been enjoying these traditions for at least 5,000 years,
ever since they first invented Chinese Restaurants and Movies and Casinos,
it was likely some Red Sea Pedestrians that were first in line.

 

[langod]

We always used to have the twice-turkey routine too. But since I took over christmas a few years ago (I've been doing Thanksgiving for 20 years) I've never cook a christmas turkey. I've done Pork Standing Rib Roasts, Prime Ribs... Would like to try a Christmas Goose.

I'm trying to talk the wife into letting me go with Italian some year (Christmas dinner is her side of the family, so she gets approval rights) -- I'd love to do Zuppa di Funghi or Fagioli, Stuffed Manacotti, Vegetable Lasagna, etc....

And I'm not even Italian, just sounds like a lot of fun.....

 

[oc_in_fw]

Christmas duck reminds me of that scene from a Christmas Story. That brings up a weird one- all of our local Chinese restaurants are closed on Christmas.

 

[MrSpeedy]

I realize I'm a day late and a dollar short to this thread (and the Mess Hall in general - sorry!) but thought I'd chime in. Due to the LOML schedule, my parents visiting for Christmas, and us taking my boys out to the movies Christmas Day, we are doing a lasagna. We'll make it the day before and put it in the fridge. When the LOML has to get ready for work, all she has to do is heat it up (me, my boys, and my parents will likely still be at the movies). We'll heat ours up when we get home. Everyone seems to be taking the news well, especially since I promised a good wine to go with it.

 

[DoctorShavegood]

I realize I'm a day late and a dollar short to this thread (and the Mess Hall in general - sorry!) but thought I'd chime in. Due to the LOML schedule, my parents visiting for Christmas, and us taking my boys out to the movies Christmas Day, we are doing a lasagna. We'll make it the day before and put it in the fridge. When the LOML has to get ready for work, all she has to do is heat it up (me, my boys, and my parents will likely still be at the movies). We'll heat ours up when we get home. Everyone seems to be taking the news well, especially since I promised a good wine to go with it.

Star Wars?

 

[dangerousdon]

Generally at my household the Christmas dinner is less structured than Thanksgiving. My wife's family is Italian and they always have a Lasagna at Christmas but other than that it's kind of what we feel like making for that day. I was thinking of doing a beef tenderloin on the grill this Christmas or maybe a rib roast. I know that is more traditional for most but I haven't done one for Christmas yet.

 

[DoctorShavegood]

Since Mom passed 5 years ago yesterday I just don't go do the holiday functions anymore with my family. But on my wife's side things are getting really nice....I mean't great. We haven't given presents on her side for more than 15 years. This year is different. The wife's parents have requested smoked meats for Christmas....What!!!

Your wish is my command.

Merry Christmas.

 

[oc_in_fw]

All I want for Christmas is my two smoked meats.

 

[cleanshaved]

All I want for Christmas is my two smoked meats.

 

[Argonaut]

My people have been enjoying these traditions for at least 5,000 years

You guys were very forward thinking on X-mas traditions!

 

[kingfisher]

I made a goose one year.



I'll do turkey and stuffing this year because my son (who is away at college) wasn't here for Thanksgiving, and he wants it.

 

[cleanshaved]

I was going to flag the standard glazed ham and go with just a BBQ and deserts, plenty of deserts. I will still look at making a few deserts myself, creme brulee and a pavlova sounds good.
Well I set my mind on it, then the wee wifey said what if we have people show up at short no notice.................hmmmmm. OK I'll get a ham then.

I bought some vouchers and will be calling in on my way home today to hunt down a bone drawn Cumberland Ham. I get a 20% discount and these are some very nice hams........Traditions die hard.

 

[oc_in_fw]

I was going to flag the standard glazed ham and go with just a BBQ and deserts, plenty of deserts. I will still look at making a few deserts myself, creme brulee and a pavlova sounds good.
Well I set my mind on it, then the wee wifey said what if we have people show up at short no notice.................hmmmmm. OK I'll get a ham then.

I bought some vouchers and will be calling in on my way home today to hunt down a bone drawn Cumberland Ham. I get a 20% discount and these are some very nice hams........Traditions die hard.

I will probably do a ham for one reason- Ménage a pig sandwiches. That is a piece of ham, some Boars Head Maple Glaze Honey Coat ham lunch meat, and bacon, on pumpernickel with mustard.

 

[cleanshaved]

I will probably do a ham for one reason- Ménage a pig sandwiches. That is a piece of ham, some Boars Head Maple Glaze Honey Coat ham lunch meat, and bacon, on pumpernickel with mustard.

Sounds really nice Owen.
I like to get a bone drawn ham, so I can slice a few ham steaks off. Apply a liberal application of mustard and then slap it on the grill.......life is good.

 

[MrSpeedy]

Star Wars?

Yes, sir! We're kind of nerds that way.

 

[Slash McCoy]

What, no Frosty the Snow Man? No Peanuts Christmas Special?? No Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer??? No Christmas Vacation????


....I've created a monster.

I'm more of a Grinch guy. But I don't like the sappy ending.