Simple Christmas dinner ideas needed

[4Marmalade]

I love being able to make a bit of a "fancier" dinner on Christmas but I am realizing that it is just not going to happen this year. The two youngest are constantly into everything and my oldest will be his normal spirited self. I'm picturing an hour (broken up at that) to make dinner and I don't want to stress. We try to avoid pre-packaged food as dh is very sensitive to salt plus it's not great for the rest of us anyways.

So, what kind of meal or dishes can I make that are very simple but seem fancy and more celebratory? Right now we have stand by's of pasta, rice and beans, soup and bread, eggs, pancakes, oatmeal (seriously). I don't think we will have company but it would be nice to eat something a bit different.

[mumkimum]

Something like an oven-baked risotto (I'd add some kind of veggie, at least some warmed peas, cooked squash, or sauteed diced mushrooms) might go over well. Or polenta done in the same style.

I've seen a lot of skillet lasagna recipes lately that are a lot less work than a traditional lasagna.

Baked eggs sortof like this recipe are also awesome, and completely easy (pair with a favorite salad, maybe, or just assorted finger veggies, fruit, and cheese).

[happy1nluv]

i just made a "lasagna" out of zuchini and pine nuts... it was really easy to do and can stand being done ahead of time and popped in the oven. it was better the next day too...

let me know if you want me to type in the recipe (i loved it, dh said it was ok)

[MountainMamaGC]

Vegetarian Moussaka. You can find lots of different recipes online. Its really yummy and something different.

[somegirl99]

Make some sort of simple rice pilaf, then serve it in baked squash halves.

[catnip]

We're having a mushroom-lentil-nut stroganoff for dinner. We're vegan, and so I do use tofutti sour cream, which is horrid, processed crap, but so good for this recipe, but it's a special occasion.

I also use a teaspoon of vegemite or marmite as a faux beef flavoring.

My extended family always makes the beef version of this, so this gives us something special that is similar in theme to the omni meal.

I make it on regular weeknights. Buying sliced mushrooms saves a little time on it.

[4Marmalade]

Thanks for the ideas. I like the idea of a risotto as it's something the kids will probably like and allows us to do some other simple side dishes to accompany it.

Merry Christmas all!

[Jelinifer]

Originally Posted by catnip

We're having a mushroom-lentil-nut stroganoff for dinner. We're vegan, and so I do use tofutti sour cream, which is horrid, processed crap, but so good for this recipe, but it's a special occasion.

I also use a teaspoon of vegemite or marmite as a faux beef flavoring.

My extended family always makes the beef version of this, so this gives us something special that is similar in theme to the omni meal.

I make it on regular weeknights. Buying sliced mushrooms saves a little time on it.

That sounds fantastic! Could you post your recipe please?

[Ianthe]

We always make Christmas Lasagna, with garlic bread and salad, for Christmas dinner.

[clothdipemomof2boy]

subbing will post later.

[love2all]

We too ALWAYS do a lasagna-
it can be made days before and popped in the oven to bake...
try making it with butternut squash puree as a filling....
HAPPY DAYS!!!!