Xmas Dinner Conundrum

rouseytastic · Nov 25, 2014

We are, for the first time, 'hosting' Christmas for the family this year. Whilst discussing the nitty gritty of the day with my previously sensible girlfriend she has just announced that along with the turkey she will be preparing some cooked ham so we have '2 meats available in the centre of the table'

Firstly I have NEVER had ham at Christmas. Sounds ridiculous and secondly the meat should be served on the plate. It's not a buffet!!

Am I right in my assumptions?!

vegster · Nov 25, 2014

According to many of the current TV ads, you should plaster your table with everything you can. Gluttony is big this year, max your Turkey/Goose/10 Bird Roast size, all veg need to be ramped up with herbs/spices or lardons, plain boiled is history. If when you have covered your table there are still visible signs of the tablecoth underneath, you are a scrooge.

So yes.

KZNSeagull · Nov 25, 2014

No. I would say that your girlfriend is extremely sensible. Have often had ham or salt pork at Xmas. I would suggest that she puts everything else on the table as well so everyone can help themselves as it is bad enough having to cook it all let alone serve it all up too.

You can do the washing up. And make the sandwiches later.

Greg Bobkin · Nov 25, 2014

The extended Bobkin family normally have turkey, ham and beef. Mind you, there are bloody loads of us normally.

To be honest, pretty much anything goes at Christmas - there are no 'traditions' as such; you just make your own ones.

I'd say embrace it and tuck in! :drool:

Lord Bracknell · Nov 25, 2014

Christmas dinners are steeped in family traditions and it is a feature of every Christmas dinner I've ever eaten that more than one family has shown up. Your mum will bring a different set of traditions to the event from those brought by your dad. "Your" traditions arise from whatever compromise was negotiated between your mum and your dad. So be prepared to compromise.

As for ham, I can't see anything wrong in principle with a two-meat Christmas dinner. Laying each meat out on the table in separate dishes will offer each diner the option of whether to stick with just one meat - so it seems to be a sensible way to achieve something that will appeal to everyone. Go for it.

Vegas Seagull · Nov 25, 2014

She won't be as keen the year after when the carrots are going overdone and she has forgotten to start the bread sauce
Aunt Bessie's honey glazed frozen parsnips should be mandatory is my contribution

rouseytastic · Nov 25, 2014

I am shocked and bewildered by the support shown for cooked ham at Christmas! Unheard of for me

Mackenzie · Nov 25, 2014

We always cook a ham as well.

Return of the Rev · Nov 25, 2014

Its just a meal

rouseytastic · Nov 25, 2014

Return of the Rev said:
Its just a meal

Sausage chips and beans for you then!

Hillian1 · Nov 25, 2014

Return of the Rev said:
Its just a meal

BBQ over Stanmer Park again REV?

Hillian1 · Nov 25, 2014

I do like a nice cooked Ham at Christmas though, think of the bonus meat on Boxing day.

Lord Bracknell · Nov 25, 2014

rouseytastic said:
I am shocked and bewildered by the support shown for cooked ham at Christmas! Unheard of for me

It MUST be a home-cooked ham, though - probably a glazed gammon joint - NOT cold, sliced ham. The supermarkets are competing with each other to produce uniquely tasty versions of Christmas hams.

Return of the Rev · Nov 25, 2014

Hillian1 said:
BBQ over Stanmer Park again REV?

Not sure could be a home delivery curry,still undecided would love to pop away for a couple of nights but the pooch has become the tie now the little revs are big revs :moo:

Bold Seagull · Nov 25, 2014

Always have ham in the evening, but not with the turkey. Pigs in blankets yes. But what I would say, is that doing your own thing different to what your family has always done is no bad way to go.

I can also thoroughly recommend Nigella's soaking of the turkey in brine, spices and cut fruit for a couple of days in a bucket. We've done this for a few years and the turkey soaks in so much moisture, it's always been really moist when cooked. http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/spiced-and-superjuicy-roast-turkey

Questions · Nov 25, 2014

Get a minipin of something like Dark Star APA and leave the 'trimmings' to the women. Keep out of it.

Norman Potting · Nov 25, 2014

Lord Bracknell said:
It MUST be a home-cooked ham, though - probably a glazed gammon joint - NOT cold, sliced ham. The supermarkets are competing with each other to produce uniquely tasty versions of Christmas hams.

Baked ham is an underrated meat imho. One of the best meals I ever had was thick slices of succulent baked ham in a black cherry sauce, delish.

father_and_son · Nov 25, 2014

Lord Bracknell said:
Christmas dinners are steeped in family traditions and it is a feature of every Christmas dinner I've ever eaten that more than one family has shown up. Your mum will bring a different set of traditions to the event from those brought by your dad. "Your" traditions arise from whatever compromise was negotiated between your mum and your dad. So be prepared to compromise.

Absolutely this!!

Nobody outside of your immediate family celebrated christmas in the same why you did growing up. Absolutely NOBODY. Your chances of finding a girlfriend that you aren't going to need to compromise in bucket loads is negligible (unless you are from Norfolk or Westeros).

Postman Pat · Nov 25, 2014

When I was younger we had Turkey, Pork and boiled bacon on the xmas table (and for cold meat and salad on boxing day!), it may have been due to the fact that my grandad and dad both worked in an abattoir so had access to cheap meat.

We still have Turkey and boiled bacon for Xmas dinner, along with pigs in blankets.

maltaseagull · Nov 25, 2014

Return of the Rev said:
Its just a meal

Agreed. We had Lampuki (fish) last year.

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