We’re doing a low country boil; it’s the easiest one pot meal and everyone in the family loves it. D20 makes the best Mac & Cheese to go along with it. We’ve been baking a Slovak feast for dessert though.
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Our Christmas tradition for years has been an appetizer spread and a very casual day with about 12-15 of us. I’m calling this Christmas, “Christmas Lite” - whatever happens, happens and whatever gets planned gets planned and whoever can attend (where ever) attends.
Between Covid (some in the family had it but all SHOULD be clear by the weekend) and my mom passing last month it’s just a weird one this year.
So overall I feel totally unplanned food wise but the freezer is full and between us all, I’m sure we will get food on the table. It doesn’t matter what the food is on the table, but the people around it.
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@ChoatieMom, can you PM your address? I am in CT but can drive there in time! 
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We’re mostly vegetarian and just do Christmas with the 4 of us. We go see family after Christmas. The only thing on the menu right now is the traditional Christmas breakfast of Monkey Bread and Veggie and Vegan quiches.
I think I am going to try to recreate my mom’s chestnut stuffing. H got some chestnuts from the farmer’s market. Don’t know what mains might go with it. We usually just keep it celebratory, but low key.
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We print a menu for Christmas dinner and distribute it too!
For Christmas Eve we have seven fishes. H makes his own fish stock for bouillabaisse, which has mussels, shrimp, sea scallops, cod, and haddock. We also have Wellfleet oysters on the half-shell for an appetizer. My son-in-law’s mother (she is Russian) brings caviar (it’s always a red caviar—salmon roe). She also makes amazing Russian crepes (blini). I like them better than the caviar!
Christmas dinner is standing rib roast from Savenor’s butcher shop (this was Julia Child’s butcher in Cambridge, MA). Yorkshire pudding, green beans with caramelized onions, and potatoes anna are the sides. We have Buche de Noel for dessert, which we get from a local baker.
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I usually do rack of lamb because most of us love it and it’s festive. This year we are taking a beef wellington with truffles cooking class on Christmas Eve. I’d like to do duck breast for Christmas Day, but so far I’ve only seen whole duck at the grocery store. (Not checking every day, but will go once more before the holiday.) Otherwise I might defrost a Cornish game hen, or I might just say leftover beef Wellington is good enough!
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D and family are vegetarians. It will just be the 5 of us. D, SIL, 13 month old twins and me. D will be working the ER Christmas Day so dinner will be low key.
Tentative menu: Vegetarian Wellington, mashed potatoes with miso-mushroom gravy, steamed spinach, Japanese milk bread dinner rolls. Dessert TBD. Maybe a raspberry rhubarb pie or a lemon cake. (From one of the local bakeries.)
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Sounds delicious! Can I come to your house!?
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For the four years prior to last, our son has made Beef Wellington for us for Christmas:
He can’t be with us again this year, so we’re going with the standing rib. Wellington would just make me sad. It’s funny how certain meals are as much emotion as sustenance.
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Hoping for our traditional Christmas Eve of fresh Dungeness crab, artichoke dip, sourdough bread and great wine. H going out on crab boat the day before. Last year, he got the limit of 10. Fingers crossed for this year. Christmas Day will be steaks, caesar salad, mushrooms, great wine—unless H strikes out on Crab. Then will have the steaks on Xmas Eve…and go to plan B for Christmas Day—which will probably be Lobster ravioli. Only three of us this year 
but D & SIL will be back for Boxing Day…so hoping to have crab cakes, as D loves them…
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Half Roast Duck with orange sauce.
Roasted potatoes / brown rice with vegetables / mashed potatoes with sour cream & chives.
Organic sweet & crisp Romaine hearts of lettuce (triple washed) with freshly sliced organic tomatoes and choice of dressing.
Pinot Noir.
Italian Roast Coffee (Starbucks).
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Is there a traditional sauce with lobster ravioli? I bought some the other day and didn’t even give thought to what sauce to pair with it. Anyone who can share, I’d appreciate it!
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We’ll host our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of cheeseburgers on the grill, French fries, and salad (This is a tradition going back to our starving-married-college-student days when it was truly all we could afford. We cooked on a hibachi grill on our fire escape. 
)
About 5 years ago we moved to having an appetizer spread on Christmas day. Best thing we’ve ever done! Everyone picks a favorite. D and SIL are hosting this year. How traditions change, in a good way, when grandchildren are in the mix!!
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I am impressed by the fancy holiday meals you guys serve. Christmas Eve is my birthday. We celebrate just my husband and only daughter. I typically do some version of surf and turf. This year it will be turf - Linguini with shrimp in a tomato sauce. Christmas Day this year will also be just the three of us (not going to my sister-in-laws which we do most years). The menu will be lasagna and a salad. My daughter and I make the lasagna together in a cool three row lasagna pan. It is the only time we ever make lasagna.
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I would make a brown butter sauce with the lobster ravioli.
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Thank you! Saved! Maybe will even do this Christmas Eve…
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We make roast goose (geese) for Christmas dinner every year.
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I think what is interesting about the Italian Market (and I am Italian) is that over the years it has started to include a large selection of Mexican groceries, restaurants, and specialty stores. A Japanese restaurant just opened up.
I am glad you enjoyed your visit. If your daughter ever needs anything please let me know.
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We are an interfaith family. Even though Hanukkah is over with we were not together then so we’re paying homage to that as well.
Appetizers:
Latkas and applesauce
Charcuterie plate
Chips and dip (still my kid’s favorite LOL)
Main Course:
Lasagna (again, kid’s favorite - but nice for me as I can make it in advance and enjoy the day)
Meatballs (will also make in advance)
Caprese
Salad
Garlic Bread
Dessert:
Cookies/Brownies
Cheesecake
Mixed Berries
@ChoatieMom - Impressed with your making a menu for everyone!!
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christmas eve the traditional potato salad with natural casing hot dogs, meatballs/smoked pork chop and a yule log.
christmas day the traditional goose with red cabbage and potato dumplings and again yule log.
my caps key is giving out lol
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