Shotgun 1 #1 December 15, 2004 For the first time ever, I am having family at my house this Christmas (my mom and stepdad). My mom said not to worry about doing anything special for dinner, but it's Christmas so I want to do something sort of nice. The problem is that I rarely cook (well not anything they would want to eat), so I don't want to subject them to some horrible cooking experiment of mine... So I'm wondering if any of you have ever bought any of those pre-cooked meals - like from Boston Market (or anywhere else?) Just wondering if these are any good or if they are lame... Or any ideas for an easy-to-prepare meal that is reasonably idiot-proof? Another idea is to have a smoked turkey shipped from The County Line BBQ (in TX) and have a BBQ Xmas dinner (I at least know how to make some good side dishes for that) - but is BBQ just wrong on Christmas? Any suggestions? Thanks! Keely Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #2 December 15, 2004 Usually, Chinese places are open on Christmas. Fa-ra-ra-ra-raaaa-ra-ra-ra-rah! Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #3 December 15, 2004 I've had those precooked meals from a couple of different places before. Pretty good. A trick, though, is get it early and put it in your own serving dishes. Having a Store X box on the table may damper the mood for some folks (it shouldn't, but its the holidays so family members tend to be assholes sometimes).--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Girlfalldown 0 #4 December 15, 2004 Get a Honey Baked Ham! https://ca.honeybaked.com/ Then just mash some taters n stuff.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveNFlorida 0 #5 December 15, 2004 I have worked at Boston Market, and the food is decent, I like the ham ok. For prepared stuff, Honey Baked Ham Co. Has some really good spiral ham and even their turkey is good. If you don't cook, this probably isn't the time to start because you'll just be greatly dissappointed if things don't turn out right, and it'll be stressful, too. Maybe you could prepare a baked dessert the day before your dinner by a recipe. The, something would be your own:) -A Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #6 December 15, 2004 QuoteUsually, Chinese places are open on Christmas. Hmm.... Why does A Christmas Story come to mind? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #7 December 15, 2004 Quote Usually, Chinese places are open on Christmas. Fa-ra-ra-ra-raaaa-ra-ra-ra-rah! No doubt........nothing like a traditional Jewish Christmas dinner. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #8 December 15, 2004 QuoteMaybe you could prepare a baked dessert the day before your dinner by a recipe. That's a good idea. I think I can handle baking a pie. The Honey Baked Ham looks good too... And AggieDave, you're right about the dishes... It would seem kinda tacky served out of a box. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #9 December 15, 2004 QuoteIt would seem kinda tacky served out of a box. If I was your family I wouldn't give a shit...but most family members aren't like me..."SWEET! Free food, thanks!" or "WTF? She didn't cook this?"--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #10 December 15, 2004 Quote"SWEET! Free food, thanks!" And look.......there's no mold, ants, or anything on it. THIS ROCKS!!!! Good God it's even warm!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #11 December 15, 2004 I think they'll be saying "Thanks for not making us eat your own cooking!" (They won't care about the box - I just want it to look nice.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tweak 0 #12 December 15, 2004 QuoteAnother idea is to have a smoked turkey shipped from The County Line BBQ (in TX) and have a BBQ Xmas dinner (I at least know how to make some good side dishes for that) - but is BBQ just wrong on Christmas? I don't think so! I've had bbq brisket for Christmas dinner (by accident actually) that turned out pretty good. I've also had a Cajun Christmas dinner (Christmas Gumbo is the best!!) Smoked Turkey, bbq trimmings and family, maybe a little different but sounds good to me! As long as it's family and good food for the holidays, you can't go wrong in my opinion. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #13 December 15, 2004 QuoteI don't think so! I've had bbq brisket for Christmas dinner (by accident actually) that turned out pretty good. I've also had a Cajun Christmas dinner (Christmas Gumbo is the best!!) Smoked Turkey, bbq trimmings and family, maybe a little different but sounds good to me! As long as it's family and good food for the holidays, you can't go wrong in my opinion. Mmm... BBQ... That's definitely making my mouth water a lot more than the traditional holiday foods. Of course, they live in Texas where they can have good bbq anytime... so they might think it's funny for me to have food shipped from TX. But I'm sure they'd still like it... and I'm drooling looking at The County Line's website: https://www.airribs.com/comersus/store/turkey.asp. Their peppered turkey and their brisket (and their bbq sauce) is pure heaven. Mmm... brisket and smoked turkey... and I could even handle making the beans, coleslaw and potato salad.... Now I'm hungry! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #14 December 15, 2004 i eat out ALOT... (single with no desire to clean a kitchen, imagine that...) Honey Baked Ham is better IMO than Boston Market for real 'sit down' meals... of course i'd say order a pizza and be done with it but good quality BBQ is in season anytime of year....____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #15 December 15, 2004 Quotegood quality BBQ is in season anytime of year.... And that's why that's what Morgan and I are serving at our wedding. 1. Good BBQ is cheap (atleast around here it is) 2. We're in TX, everyone loves it. 3. Did I mention its cheap?--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #16 December 15, 2004 Hams are simple. All you need to do is warm them up, maybe usethe glaze packet that comes with. Costco sells a nice one, actually, probably cheaper then the "Honey Baked Hams". Add some heat and serve rolls, a couple of sides, you're done! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #17 December 15, 2004 Make a Turducken. It's a shitload of work, but it looks really good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #18 December 15, 2004 QuoteFa-ra-ra-ra-raaaa-ra-ra-ra-rah! Ow ow ow ow ow ow! Dude, stomache flu and uncontrolable laughter do NOT go well together. Thanks anyway though!It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mailin 0 #19 December 15, 2004 I've heard of Turducken... but after seeing those pictures... I don't think I'd EVER be able to make it JenArianna Frances Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #20 December 15, 2004 QuoteMake a Turducken. It's a shitload of work, but it looks really good. Whoa, that is freaky. It does look good, but I think that might be more work than I can handle. That looks like the kind of thing to make when I have a bunch of drunk friends over to help me. Speaking of which, my little brother sent me this recipe he says is really good for Beer Butt Chicken. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
