What do you eat on Boxing Day?

[Gemini]

Yes, I do know it is still November

For many years we ate a second Christmas dinner on Boxing Day. It was the day all the family got together. At my parent's house when the children were small, then at our house, and then for several years at DD2's.

Last year I hosted the Boxing Day get together and I think we will again this year.
I did a buffet last year. Catering for meat eaters, a vegan, vegetarians and children (one fussy) means a great variety of food!

This year I am undecided as to what to serve.
Another buffet (we won't have the vegan to think about this year at least) or something cooked?
Shepherd's Pie is my speciality, so I could do a lamb one and a Quorn one, with veg.
Or sausages - pork and veggie- mash, gravy and veg.
Trifle and and another pudding for afters, plus the usual mince pies

What do you do?

[Lizzie48]

Gem, DIL1 often does huge tray bakes for a lot of guests.

[Oma]

We used to do two different curries a meat one and a veg one , rice and chips just all in big pans so people could help themselves
Chips and something like fish fingers for the children ,

I think shepherds pie in maybe a large tray for people to help themselves is a great idea ,
A one tray meal with maybe garlic bread and crust bread for none garlic loving people ,so no fussing with other stuff .leaving you time to enjoy yourself .

I like a buffet but find a lot gets left
Trifle always goes down well with my lot as they all love it ,

[Daisy]

These days it depends on who we're feeding. If it's just us, it's leftovers.

Years ago we always used to have 'open house' on Boxing Day and I'd keep it simple - a big bowl of chilli with rice or spag bol, cold salmon, plus salad, a cheese board and of course there were always mincepies and Christmas cake, nibbles and fruit.

[Nanto2girls]

Boxing day dinner for us is,chips,cold turkey and beans.
Hubby enjoys that more than a christmas dinner.
He's a man of simple tastes.

[Grauntie Mag]

My turn this year. I am planning a buffet, (no cooking). DD1 and GD will be working in the afternoon, so it will be a grazer’s delight! I enjoy this as much as Christmas dinner.

[Plantaholic]

Usually left-overs, which I love, a day to put the feet up.

[Gemini]

Grauntie we love good buffet too!

We have done that sort of meal the last few times we have had family here though so I'm thinking of a change.

I like getting ready ahead, so I think I am swaying towards the shepherds pie (meat and veggie versions) option .
I can cook those the week before Christmas and freeze them, making minimal work on the day

[Daisy]

Grauntie - I love that - grazer's delight! It suits our family very well.

Gem - I froze several meals, plus soup for the Christmas period last year as we had a succession of guests. It was fine till I forgot to defrost one meal!!

[Gemini]

Daisy, I will probably have to set a defrost reminder

I was discussing this topic with OH this morning. One reason for not wanting a buffet was that I wanted a sit down meal for us all, which we used to always have when we had Christmas dinner number 2 on Boxing Day.

We have decided on the shepherds pie(s) option, with gravy and plenty of veg. Followed by trifle, Christmas pud and another option for the kids, who may not like either of those puds!

[Daisy]

Gem, that sounds very sensible and tasty with something to please everyone - meat eaters and non-meat eaters. Will the meat one be lamb, as I know you don't eat beef?

[Gemini]

Yes, Daisy, shepherds pie with lamb is my speciality

We will be 6 for the lamb version and 4 for the quorn one. GS3 too young this year!

[Lizzie48]

We were discussing Christmas yesterday and I asked if they wanted to come here on Boxing day and I will do the same as next year, they do so I shall have to try and remember all I did make! I will see if DS2 and partner can come.