Alternative Christmas recipes

[fran b]

Hi folks, suddenly realised that Christmas is fast approaching and I'm determined not to have the usual turkey etc for dinner. I'd be most grateful if anyone has any suggestions for something different, special, tasty and not too difficult to have as a change from the normal over-estimated dinner. One small problem is that Ma doesn't like spicy. Thanks in advance.

[babydust]

i never have turkey i hate it try baked ham

[bigmalc]

Roasted venison with chocolate sauce and red cabbage is amazing and not as expensive as it sounds. As far as I'm concerned turkey can get itself to Room 101... I hate it!

[BBWCHATT]

My favorite is to buy a whole ham with the bone in - wrap it in heavy duty aluminum foil (totally sealed up) and in a deep pan - put it in the oven on 400F for an hour before I go to bed - turn it down to 325F - when you wake up Christmas Day the whole house smells like ham and it is soooo tender. I usually have to have a tiny slice for breakfast too:)

[BBWCHATT]

Lobster?

[billearly]

How about Roast rib of beef on the bone yorkshire pud and veggies,wonderful

[bendigedig]

if it wasnt for my very taditional family - ive always wanted to try a 'multi bird roast' - when they stuff one boned bird inside another, the most popular being a gooducken! chicken inside a duck inside a goose! not cheap but sound very different! i tried to get a link, but there are so many variations and stuffings out there i gave up before i bought one and spent christmas explaning what happened to the turkey!

[Alibobs]

Have a word with jfronk on the post after yours!

[Snowy Owl]

Goose?

[fran b]

Thanks to all who replied it's much appeciated. I like the thought of lobster but don't think I'm brave enough (or good enough) for that ,but if bigmalc has recipes for the venison, chocolate sauce and cabbage I'd like to try it out. Thanks again.

[bigmalc]

How much venison you need is obviously dependent upon how many people you are cooking for. If it's only two or three, you may be better off with steaks but if it's for the entire family you should get a haunch. It's venison season this time of year, so you should be able to ask your local butcher to get hold of some, if they don't have it already. Cook the venison in the same way as you would a beef joint. For maximum flavour, cook it to medium-rare. You can cook it for longer if folks prefer that but after medium venison can get quite tough. Also, make sure that the fat and sinew has been removed (your butcher will do this for you if you need them to).
The chocolate sauce is easy. Make some beef stock (with an OXO cube for simplicity if you want), melt around about 300g of chocolate (milk or plain, whichever you prefer), pour in 175ml red wine and leave on a medium-high heat to reduce for a while. When you have a gravy-like consistency the sauce should be ready, taste it to make sure and add salt or pepper if need be.
Hope it works out. If you want a trial run, adjust the recipe accordingly and make it with a steak to see how you like the meat to be cooked. Enjoy!

[bigmalc]

Just a quick tip. If you know anyone who owns or works in a restaurant, they will be able to get meat at wholesale prices and this will save you money. Just give them the money and they will order it for you.

[fran b]

Many thanks bigmalc that looks like something I could handle, will get some venison steaks and try it out on my guinea pig - sorry husband - first as you suggest. Much appreciate your help.