Easy Christmas Dinner: need ideas.

NicoleWI

I'll be 38 weeks pregnant at Christmas. We have my brother's family & my parents staying with us for four nights. On the 26th, we're hosting Christmas for my mom's family (15 people including us--not too bad). My mom and her sisters want to just get it catered again as we did last year, when we were having dinner at the retirement home with my grandpa, who was very ill. I thought it was kind of lame and the food was just okay. 

Originally, my mom said that this year she would plan and cook something easy at our house. Now she just wants to do the catered thing and keep it simple. I am still resisting (I don't really know exactly why this annoys me so much) and wondering if there is something we could make that would be EASY but still nice. Seems like we should be able to pull off a simple dinner without having to do the catering, but it also looks like I'm going to have an active role if we're not catering. Or DH. Any ideas???

Can't be ham (all having that on the 25th)

Can't be lasagna.

Not spaghetti.

Doesn't have to be super fancy but can't really be super casual either. I.e. not pizza or chili or subs.

One year I did Italian beef sandwiches in the crock pot with red & green peppers, and that was great but obviously not doing that again. 

Anything we can make ahead is a plus. 

Original idea: beef tenderloin, baked potatoes, salad, dessert. Still a possibility. 

Other: Turkey breast in the crock pot, make-ahead mashed potato casserole, veggie, salad.

???

Disneygeek77

One year we got a huge chicken pot pie from Costco.  It was delicious and all I had to do was put it in the oven.  

NicoleWI

I just found two online recipes for really easy chicken breast things (one a crispy, baked breaded chicken breast, and one that old cranberry chicken recipe with onion soup and French dressing) that can be set up in advance and cooked day-of. Am thinking one of those, plus a green veggie (maybe with almonds or something), rolls, and PW make-ahead mashed potatoes. Maybe salad, too. WDYT?

Desserts aren't an issue. Someone can bring one plus we will have cookies & stuff.

littlemermaid

I always cook a filet mignon beef tenderloin for Christmas.  I buy it at Costco.  I have a recipe that you put a Dijon mustard, garlic rub on top of it.  It's delicious!! Then I make sides. 

hlm184

Beef burgundy.  Absolutely fantastic, you can do it in a crockpot, it gets better after sitting a few days... yum.

MesmrEwe

IMO - use a good caterer instead of whomever you used previously!  With you being so close to your EDD - hire it out! 

What about Chinese/ethnic served family style?  We did that for DD's Birthday one year and it was a hit.  Otherwise what about pot roast?  It's easy, no effort, people like it, not too over the top, not too casual...

Keeptruckin

So close to your due date I would personally cater it. Otherwise, the cranberry chicken I have done before is easy, with some make ahead mashed potatoes. Or a slow cooker beef stew with red wine is always a hit! I would do a cheese plate, looks fancy but easy to put together.

chickaboo1974

I am sorry but I would totally get it catered.

NicoleWI

Thanks, all. My mom called back and is thinking again about the beef tenderloin option. I think it's probably that or the lame catering. I know that the catering is probably smart but it just seems...kinda icky or something.

Spin313

I had both of my kids at 38 weeks, so there's no way I'd be planning to cook a big family meal!

Do you have a Honey Baked Ham or Boston Market near by...? HBH also does turkey, or you could get rotisserie chicken from BM. Make a big salad in advance and have family members each bring a side or dessert.

MesmrEwe

NicoleWI said:

Thanks, all. My mom called back and is thinking again about the beef tenderloin option. I think it's probably that or the lame catering. I know that the catering is probably smart but it just seems...kinda icky or something.

If you're getting together on the 24th or 25th - yea - I'll give you the doesn't feel right, but you're getting together on the 26th so for many a normal work day AND, you'll be 38 weeks along - if anything do a hybrid have some catered in by some place you actually like the food from, and DIY the rest...