Easy, light, yet satisfying Christmas dinner ideas?

[Anonymous]

We will be hosting a few family members on Christmas for dinner. We normally just have a big breakfast and then graze snacks throughout the day, but will obviously be serving dinner this year.

I’m already hosting dinner on the 24th and sort of just want to take it easy on Christmas and keep it light, while also making sure it’s enjoyable for our company. I’m open to any and all ideas for easily an easily prepared dinner.

*We WILL NOT have room to store a full catered dinner in our fridge, nor do I want to spend the kind of money to have something delivered ON Christmas. We will already have a packed fridge with the ingredients for the 24th’s dinner. As I said, this was unplanned until last night.

[Anonymous]

Leftovers

[Anonymous]

Salmon and a festive salad? Easy and light.

My family really likes the salmon rub from Trader Joe's.

Salad can have citrus and pomegranate to make it seasonal.

Serve with good bread and compound butter.

[Anonymous]

Shrimp scampi, over linguine or with crusty bread, and a simple green salad sprinkled with pomegranates.

[Anonymous]

Haha, 11:15 here and just saw how similar my suggestion is to the one above! Great minds

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Leftovers

+1
What are you serving for the big Christmas meal?

Traditionally, you take the leftover pork and make a pork pie. That way you only need to make/store a few crusts. Do a few more crusts and add quiche and salad.

[Anonymous]

Salmon — agree with PPs. Foil and roast with lemon, side salad, loaf of bread refreshed in oven. Maybe steamed green beans. Fancy Ice cream for dessert with store bought brownies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Salmon — agree with PPs. Foil and roast with lemon, side salad, loaf of bread refreshed in oven. Maybe steamed green beans. Fancy Ice cream for dessert with store bought brownies.

why store bought brownies? They are easy to make.

[Anonymous]

I prefer salmon. But my family’s favorite is stuffed shells. They are easy and don’t require many refrigerated ingredients.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shrimp scampi, over linguine or with crusty bread, and a simple green salad sprinkled with pomegranates.

Yum!!

[Anonymous]

I, too, came here to say: Salmon and salad. Crab cakes could be another great option.

[Anonymous]

I hate salmon. But I agree that fish is light and easy -- I'd probably bake halibut in foil/parchment packets with evoo, garlic, lemon juice, s&P, capers. And make a homemade tartar sauce of mayo, minced shallot, lemon juice, lemon zest, and pickle relish. Make the sauce a day in advance for the flavors to marry.

Alternatively you could roast a chicken if you are any good at it (I find it challenging to roast the perfect chicken and would be afraid to try with company).

[Anonymous]

Do the family members expect a sit-down meal? I'd be tempted to stick with your grazing tradition and serve a buffet of appetizers for dinner. Shrimp cocktail, spinach artichoke dip with a sliced baguette, veggie tray, crockpot of meatballs, and a few frozen apps that you can pop in the oven.

[Anonymous]

Grazing buffet but with heavier leftovers like meats, etc...

[Anonymous]

I’m not a ‘frozen lasagna’ poster but this seems to call for it. With a nice green salad, bread, olives. You may eat a big breakfast and graze but your guests may want a hearty dinner.