So... the holidays are coming (appetizers, restaurant, burgers, bbq)

[MechAndy]

We have always done a seafood dinner for our Christmas meal ever since I can remember.

I am not a religious person but this has been a tradition for our family.

When we were in Germany it was extremely simplistic.
Carp, veggies and potatoes.

Since we came to California 50 years ago it was a seafood gumbo done in the California style.

We no longer celebrate our Christmas in California and now that I’m old I now hold the torch.

We are in the PNW now, at least for the holidays currently.

We still eat only seafood and veggies at this time but we add a bit of local to improve the flavor.

We are on the water and eat food from our spot.

We also like to a add lobster and shrimp from far away to our table.

This year I am going to add deep fried oysters sandwiches/ burgers to the afternoon meal that we harvest from our spot.

Clams with pasta, an oyster bar, barbecued lobster and veggies for our dinner meal

This lobster thing is really cool.
I hunt lobster in Southern California and like to bbq it.
The other year I saw a vid on Utube that nailed barbecuing lobster and I am a fan.

Don’t cut the tail and you will be better than good.
Just cut the lobster in half while not cutter the tail
Put the meat side up.
Baste the heck out of it with garlic and butter.
It holds in the butter sauce way better.
Nice and level with no spillage.

Maybe some calamari as an appetizer.

Might do some homemade sausages that I’m currently learning .

What do you all do that rocks?

Thank you.

[Mouser]

A Family Tradition never goes out of style for Christmas Memories

Christmas Eve;
Old School Oyster Stew with Veggie, Meat & Cheese Snack trays

Christmas Day;
Cesar Salad, 120z. Filet wrapped in Smoked Bacon, 14oz. Lobster Tail Broiled,
Twice baked potato with the goods, Blueberry Cheesecake & Baily's on the rocks

[Gorges]

For the past several years we've been doing crab cakes and beef filet on Xmas Eve, and Xmas day would be something Asian with dim sum that took all day to prepare and had the whole family in the kitchen. It's only the two of us this year but we're still doing the crab cakes and filet on Xmas Eve with a potato pie and mustard carrots. Xmas Day will be lamb shank with latkes, cooked apples, and green beans. Dessert will be cookies.

[Hemlock140]

We too have hosted in California for years, with about 20, then here in the Seattle area, generally about 14 up here since 1995. Our tradition is to change the "theme" every year, deciding at Thanksgiving. This year was supposed to be Chinese, but we cancelled due to COVID, so it's only the three of us. We'll still do Chinese, but just two items, Chicken Pot Stickers and BBQ Pork Fried Rice. Making that many potstickers from scratch would have taken much of the day, so at least I get some rest this year.



Another tradition is for Christmas Eve, we always have spaghetti and garlic bread, then drive around looking at the decorations. We'll still do that this year.

[mainebrokerman]

Prime rib. lobsters and venison

For appetizers. Some venison meatballs ( Bambi balls)

[mr peanut]

Im having a spaghetti dinner

already had way too many roasts , no longer eat turkey, cant stand turkey anymore

maybe a nice ham

[Gorges]

Originally Posted by mr peanut

Im having a spaghetti dinner

already had way too many roasts , no longer eat turkey, cant stand turkey anymore

maybe a nice ham

I would love to be having spaghetti! DH needs to keep busy and loves being in the kitchen all day, so I let him do what he wants.

[Serious Conversation]

The family will likely do the traditional ham.

I am doing a dinner tonight with a couple of friends at a restaurant that does a special Cajun night on Tuesday. Likely going to have frog legs.

[blueherons]

It was going to be tofurky on the beach but the high Friday is a record low at 60 degrees.

So, a fish fry at a friends house.

[steiconi]

For the first time, scallops, snow peas, wild/white rice mix.

In the past, we would have turkey, ham, or leg of lamb, with spuds and salad and and and... Nice to have a lighter meal.