mom31257 Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 We will have a dinner for just the four of us when we do our own Christmas. I would love to do some really good, but different, meat main course. We aren't all seafood lovers, and I have to avoid dairy. Grilling isn't an option, either. Any suggestions with recipes? We leave town the next day, so leftovers won't be a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 You could do something like a pork tenderloin. It's fairly small and quick cooking. Or they have small marinated pork loin roasts. They sell small boneless hams. If you like something like prime rib, you could get a thick cut rib eye steak and treat it like a prime rib roast (it is pretty quick cooking). Maybe Cornish game hens? Those are small and something different. Thinking of pasta dishes, a lot of those have cheese so that doesn't fit the no dairy requirement. I only cook for 5 and I do a fairly large meal, but then I use the leftovers. If I could not get to the leftovers I'd freeze them. Oh...what about something like stuffed cabbage rolls? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 (edited) You could do a roulade with beef or pork plus a German potato dish and hot veggies. We have done chicken breasts stuffed with Greek yogurt, spinach, and herbs, wrapped with pancetta, and served with either a pasta carbonara or chili-garlic oil coated pasta on the side, along with a pear and fennel salad. Simple but delicious. Eta: the yogurt was a substitute from the original recipe that called for mayo. Edited December 17, 2016 by HomeAgain 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 We moved during xmas 2x and so I didn't have pots and pans to cook in so I bought a bunch of those already made frozen appetizers. We ate that. There were no leftovers and all I needed was some sheet pans. Everyone really liked it. junky...but yummy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 You could do a roulade with beef or pork plus a German potato dish and hot veggies. We have done chicken breasts stuffed with Greek yogurt, spinach, and herbs, wrapped with pancetta, and served with either a pasta carbonara or chili-garlic oil coated pasta on the side, along with a pear and fennel salad. Simple but delicious. sounds so good... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 sounds so good...My husband is one of those people who loves to cook and it shows. LOL I find myself gathering ingredients for a risotto this week because he won't be around to cook, but I miss it! I will be attempting it myself. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 My husband is one of those people who loves to cook and it shows. LOL I find myself gathering ingredients for a risotto this week because he won't be around to cook, but I miss it! I will be attempting it myself. my husband won't even toast bread LOL lucky you! I like to cook though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 We'll be grilling steaks--rain, snow, cold, foggy, whatever the weather. We've tried prime rib and have too much leftover. Same with ham. If I weren't grilling steaks, I think I would do chicken kiev--chicken breasts wrapped around jack cheese and herbed butter then rolled in bread crumbs or panko. Everyone likes it, which is saying something around here! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Beef tenderloin is our favorite lately. A small one would be an affordable splurge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Roast duck. Just the right size for one meal for four people and different enough to make it festive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaLisa Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 TURDUCKEN! One year when we went away and it was just the 8 of us, I made a turducken. Boneless turkey, boneless duck, boneless chicken with a layer of stuffing between each. They're awesome!! It's expensive so I wouldn't serve it with a crowd. It was so easy to prepare since it's boneless and already stuffed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Roasted game hens with wild rice stuffing is my go to small but elegant dinner treat. I also love to make cheese fondue for an intimate group, but I consider that more casual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelfqueen Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 When it's just me, DH and our youngest -- we like steaks but you said no grilling. Two years ago we went out for Hibachi on Christmas Day and it was AWESOME. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 We will have a dinner for just the four of us when we do our own Christmas. I would love to do some really good, but different, meat main course. We aren't all seafood lovers, and I have to avoid dairy. Grilling isn't an option, either. Any suggestions with recipes? We leave town the next day, so leftovers won't be a good idea. Well, since grilled steaks are a waste of good meat anyway, I choose steak. ;) I always pan fry mine with butter. We did steak for Christmas supper a few years ago when my parents were visiting. Everybody got to choose their potato side. Some has fries, some baked, one mashed, one sweet potato fries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Don't people have broilers? A broiler is basically an upside down grill. I broil (or pan fry). I can't get the grill to turn on this time of year. Plus who wants to stand out there when it's that cold! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PollyOR Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 (edited) I am NOT a cook. I just don't enjoy it. I cook this for Christmas every year because it is simple. I will warn you that your house will smell like garlic. ;) Roasted Chicken With Garden Vegetables 4 to 5 lb whole chicken 1/2 cup butter, softened 2 tsp. rosemary leaves, crushed 1/2 tsp. salt & 1/4 tsp. pepper 2 tsp. minced fresh garlic 6 new red potatoes, cut in half or quartered if large 3 carrots,cut in 4 pieces each 2 med. onions, cut into quarters Heat oven to 350 degrees F In a small bowl mix butter, rosemary, salt, pepper, and garlic. Rub chicken with half of butter mixture. Place chicken in pan and surround with veggies. Dollop remaining butter mixture evenly over vegetables. Bake, basting chicken and vegetables occasionally, for 2-2 1/2 hours, or until chicken is fork tender. Ready to serve. Edit: Sorry, I forgot you said you avoid dairy. Edited December 17, 2016 by PollyOR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jemsmom Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/seared-duck-breasts-duck-fat-pan-roasted-fingerling-potatoes-haricots-vertsbalsamic-cherry-reduction-recipe.html If you can find boneless, skin-on duck breasts, this meal is delicious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zinnia Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 We are doing steaks this year for the first time in a long time (we used to do it often before babies). I cook them in a cast iron skillet on the stove. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storygirl Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 You can buy a standing rib roast in various sizes. If your store doesn't have a smaller cut available, you can ask the grocery's butcher to get one ready for you (it might be wise to order it a day or two in advance). We had just the six of us for Easter this year (four of them children), and I was able to get a small one at our supermarket. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 We decided we didn't want turkey this year, so we are having beef wellington instead. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medawyn Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 We decided we didn't want turkey this year, so we are having beef wellington instead. We are, too! I'm making individual ones tomorrow and throwing them in the freezer to make life easy. And I'm keeping two in the freezer for a date night in later. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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