Christmas Dinner

[EcclesCake]

No doubt I'm going to get flamed for this thread, but so what!

I'm trying to come up with something easy to prepare and manageable in terms of leftovers for just two of us.

I don't think we've ever had a classic Christmas meal and I'm lacking inspiration.

One idea is venison fillet with spiced red cabbage. Starter and pud, clueless.


Creative cooks what will you be serving, inspire me please!

[RandyMarsh]

I keep nagging for steak and chips. ;)

[EcclesCake]

I have only ever cooked Mr Cake chips once, maybe I can double it as a Christmas pressie!

[Islay]

Lol my entire Christmas dinner is coming from M&S even down to the gravy!!!

However I would be tempted to serve home cured Salmon for a gentle starter against the richness of the venison and for pud a classic trifle - not too heavy.

[Islay]

Or bloody mary scallops is another fav in this house

[DTCwordfan]

do you like guinea fowl......?

how about salmon - or braided salmon and monkfish?

On the venison, a nice hock terrine as a starter perhaps?

As an aside, Fouchards used to have a customer who came in to their Parisian store before Christmas and would buy 2kg of truffles for a Christmas soup - Bocuse's epic cook book has a recipe in it for that!

[murraymints]

God bless St Michael Islay..I shall be worshipping at his altar too !!

[Islay]

Lol Murray - I just can't be arsed these days so I am having a selection of starters and turkey crown followed by chocolate Christmas crackers!

[EcclesCake]

I did a beautiful beetroot cured salmon side a couple of years ago, it was heavenly with fresh horseradish and pumpernickel.

The only time of year I can tolerate trifle is when raspberries are in season, yummy!

Posset is the most probable pud.

[EcclesCake]

Islay, can you talk me through your Bloody Mary scallops?

I like the sound of them but fear himself may have other ideas......

[Islay]

lol they are so easy I take the roe off as I don't like it and I have served the scallops hot or cold.

Cold is 'cooked' in lime juice
Hot I know you know how to cook them

The bloody mary sauce is lightly cooked spring onions with or without celery finely chopped - good quality tom juice, vodka and a splash of lea and perrins.

Again I have served this warm or cold and it has gone down well with both.

[EcclesCake]

Ceviche is not happening with himself, caramelised I might get away with it......as long as I don't garnish with celery!

[Islay]

Lol I love celery so tend to over use it - but it is nice without it too

So prawns and chilli icecream as a starter then would be a no?

[EcclesCake]

That is an inspired suggestion as it can be part prepared in advance, requires little prep and he'd eat it!!!!

[Islay]

Really? Lol I love it but a lot of people are put off at the idea of having an icecream for a starter!

[EcclesCake]

I love savoury ice cream, Stilton is a particular favourite served with pears.

[EcclesCake]

And caramelised walnuts.

[Islay]

ooooooo my hubby would love that

[trt]

## No doubt I'm going to get flamed for this thread, but so what! ##

Where's my lighter?

[EcclesCake]

Horlicks, I seem to have created a starter, fish course, main, pud and cheese for myself.

Horlicks, horlicks, horlicks!!!

[DTCwordfan]

Have you tried Stilchelton yet, Eccles, positively unctuous - a Stilton made in the way it used to be, from non-pasteurised milk. Neal's Yard sells it.