Lately, as often happens at this time of year, my thoughts t...
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Lately, as often happens at this time of year, my thoughts turn to gardening. I've picked up some of my old favorite garden ...
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Hello all, for those of you who celebrate Christmas, and those of you who are also responsible for the cooking of the traditional Christmas meal, what are your plans for Christmas lunch or dinner?
What is traditional in your country and do you feel it's best to stick to that, or do you go "off piste" and do something different?
I tend to stick to traditional, but that doesn't mean turkey. Here in the UK, most people think of a roast turkey as the required main course for a Christmas meal, but actually, that is an imported American tradition. Goose would be a far more traditional British option, but not many people go for that anymore (expensive!). I don't actually know anyone that loves turkey, so I usually go for a different bird.
What if you are vegetarian or vegan? Last year, due to Christmas kind of being cancelled here in London, I spent it with my one housemate who was officially a pescatarian (although mostly ate vegan food) so I had to get creative. It turns out better than I thought.
Anyway, I am rather late in planning the Christmas meal I am shortly to cook for my family. We are talking about people from different cultures who have very different preferences. Ideas and inspiration would be greatly appreciated.
@Huma0 In the almost 55 years that I've been married and living here in Italy (I'm native German) I had time enough to learn and practice the Italian cuisine. As with almost all Italians, food has always been important to my husband ...and i had to comply. So, as tradition in my husband's home, on Christmas there must be homemade Ravioli stuffed with Brasato, topped with melted butter and sage. For our family gathering of 17 members I have to prepare at least 500 Ravioli. The main course then is often a stuffed capon. A lot of different appetizers introduce this Christmas lunch or dinner and it will finish with Panettone and Mascarpone of course.
@Huma0
I usually don't do a whole lot on holidays and just do some light easy go to stuff.
Hummus, healthy muffins. (with homemade tahini)
Chili with beyond meat chicken strips. Great for cold days!
This was from one of the last meet up potluck two years ago. I made the vegan cheese cake in the back. It was a raw food meetup, but like to do the cheesecake on holidays.
Healthy banana bread. I have to create my own recipe for something both vegan and healthy.
I haven't been cooking as much because the back apartment is connected to the same AC/Heat so don't want to blast them out with anything too strong. But gonna try using an Insta Pot I so far haven't used and maybe it doesn't put out so much smell.
Oh and for New Years a local tradition that started in the Low Country, where I'm from on South Carolina coast, is called Hoppin John. Its three peas mixed with rice. It originated in West Africa. And brings good luck. My mom used to make it and we would go out to the country on a pick nick. I just read that you are supposed to leave three different kind of peas on the plate for good luck for the new year.
(borrowed pic)
@Huma0
Yes, the first pic is homemade baba ganoush! I usually cook the eggplant with the muffins.
I used to get baba ganoush somewhere when I was in college but can't remember the exact place which is unusual. But so many years later I was craving it and noticed its also made with tahini so decided to make it.
sometimes I like to take pictures
Hard to believe I would be cooking something like this. Completely counter intuative but I like to just try stuff for myself and see if I like it or not, and then start craving. 
