Cookaholics Bulletin Board

Folks,

On Christmas Eve, we're committed to providing dinner for the choir director of the local megachurch, which means we don't eat until between 8:45 and 9:30. Further, members of her family have issues with fish (iodine sensitivity). So I need to plan a meal which:

• can "hold" for up to 1.5 hours after cooking
• has neither meat nor fish, or splits into meat/non-meat versions
• is eaten in one course
• is festive

Obviously, somewhat of a challenge. Last year I did borscht, challah and varniki, which went over quite well. This year, my MIL suggested that we do chili, including a bowl of red (with meat) and a bowl of green (without meat). However, I'm concerned that eating chili at 9:30pm might lead to some ... digestive difficulties at bedtime.

Some kind of soup, stew or casserole is obvious though. I've also looked at some festive Italian soups (vegetarian is traditional on Christmas Eve in some parts of Italy), tangine, and other things, but nothing's really "grabbing" me. Suggestions?

What about a vegetarian curry -- you can make it mild but also make it festive (and allow them to customize) with lots of neat add ons.

I did Crescent Dragonwagon's Gumbo Zeb (gumbo with greens) from Soup and Bread for a big party with meat-eaters and nons. It worked really well and we were going back for extra helpings for quite awhile. The recipe starts with a base that can be made with chicken broth or veggie broth. I cooked the ingredients for 3 of the variations separately and had people ladle the hot base into their bowls, then add the variation ingredients mix-and-match style. I believe I did chicken and andouille as one variation, seafood as the second, and okra as the third. A giant pan of cornbread was the only side. I can't remember if I made a dessert. I do remember serving lots of beer.

My grandma's cheese manicotti is my favorite Christmas dinner. I like to make it with sausage and rolled steak but it is fine without. It is like eating clouds.

Mary

Wow Jes,
That sounds really good! And Mary, I love manicotti...

I think a spinach and bechemel lasagna would be great. I think Amy either has posted a recipe or has one she might share.

Mac and Cheese with Butternut Squash Bechamel and a side of Spinach Salad with Pears and Gorgonzola (Mustard Vinaigrette)?

I think CI's baked ziti might fit the bill too.

And I really really like this soup which has a make ahead component:

Curried Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Soup
A signature soup for sure
1 1/2 tsp. canola oil
1 tsp. chopped garlic
1 cup finely chopped red onion
2 1/2 cups vegetable stock (preferably no msg if store bought stock is used)
1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped
2 cups cooked mashed pumpkin
1/2 tsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. chopped cilantro, plus 5 stems reserved for garnish
1 tsp. honey
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 cup 2% milk, evaporated

Method

Heat non-stick fry pan; add oil; follow with onion and garlic and sauté until onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add stock, sweet potato, pumpkin, curry*, cilantro, honey and ginger. cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 40 minutes. Combine in food processor or blender until smooth (at this point the soup may be kept up to four days in the refrigerator). To serve, heat up soup slowly adding enough milk to achieve desired consistency (about 3/4 cup). Serve hot in heated bowls; garnish with additional chopped cilantro.

*Curry can be substituted by 3/4 tsp. each of cumin and turmeric

Serves 6

All:

I think I have ideas now for a lot more meals than just Christmas eve.

For the meatless Italian meals in my house I've done CI's baked ziti too. It works really well as a make ahead the day before and reheating the day of. Canadian Living also has a recipe for roasted red pepper and béchamel lasagna which is good too. Also works well as a make ahead. They also have a many mushroom manicotti recipe that is good. Spinach lasagna roll-ups (also a Canadian Living recipe I think) are also good. The Canadian Living recipes can probably be found on their website (www.canadianliving.com), or I can type them up if you need.

The pastas plus a salad are good for both meat eaters and vegetarians. Not so much for vegans though. For that I tend to do an Asian peanut noodle and veggie dish.

On a completely different theme, vegetarian enchiladas are good...but they might cause the same digestive issues as chili (all those beans!).