Christmas cooking...
 

So, most of you know that I've started my studies towards becoming a chef this year...those of you that don't, do now.
It's 7:10am, Christmas morning here. I got to thinking - a big part of Christmas and the gathering kinda thing is the food, right?
So, I thought it would be an idea to throw this up, and see what you guys all did for your xmas lunch/dinner.
I'm still in the decision making process myself...so yeah, when you're ready, let me know what you're having/had, and don't spare the detail.

Christmas wishes to all my friends up in here.

- B.

We had a pretty classic one here. Turkey w/Dressing, Cranberries, Mashed Potatoes, Squash w/Butter and Brown Sugar, and corn.

For desert, we had Pineapple Whip, which is friggin amazing in case you didnt know.

I don't know what I'm gonna cook yet but I'll get back to ya tomorrow afternoon.

I'll be making Crab Puffs, my special recipe called "Happy Bean Stew," and a pound cake soaked in Red Bull.

All ya need is CHEESECAKE!!!!!!!!!

Didn't have a great budget or amount of planning done this year, so we ended up with Chicken tikka masala over rice, served with freshly cooked roti (like...indian bread)
For dessert, we had rice pudding with apple and rhubarb, freshly shaved cinnamon and nutmeg, over which I placed some oven baked peaches with more cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, hot custard over the top of everything.
Followed with coffee, not bad.

Chicken tikka masala is the best dish in the whole fucking world. Bar none. I applaud you for being able to make it.:)

We had marinated (simply wine and soy sauce [you can add honey and ginger for a more Asian flare] ) chicken wings, London broil, grilled shrimped basted in butter and lemon, black pepper and salt. Raw veggies and a Ranch dip, a spinache and watercress dip. Finger quiche- portabello and cheese. Different types of cheese.

Desert: Fudge (yum), carrot cake (ick), and of course, the Southern classic- banana pudding (yum, but rich)

All homemade

Cheeba, are you going to study deserts? What type of deserts are you already proficient in making?

Actually, Anna made the chicken. We're both pretty profficient at indian and thai cooking at the moment...it's mainly about using fresh ingredients, and knowing your spices.

Yes, desserts is one of my electives. I haven't started yet.
I can make a pretty wicked pecan pie, have recently learned how to make a panacotta, and will be trying that very soon...I'm ok with cakes, make a crazy-ass dressed fruit salad. I also do good things with baked fruit, and have a few recipes of my own goin' on. Yeah, I'm ok with desserts at this point, but intend to get a LOT better.
Will probably specialise in partry based desserts down the line too.

Well, both of you have earned my respect. (Not that my respect is worth a hill of beans:D ) I have to give props to anybody who can cook Indian, which is my favorite food on the planet. I even like saag.

My favorite meal is: a cup of steaming masala tea, ctm, jasmine or basamati rice with that hint of fennel, aloo nan, and for desert, a mango lassi. Shit, I'm killing myself just thinking about it.

Your deserts sound pretty damn good, especially that fruit salad. I love fruit!

I, for one, would like for you to keep us updated with your progress. If this were any forum but a horror forum, I would demand a recipe swapping section, but that might be kind of gay here.:p

Do you know how many people in here I've talked cooking with?
I think you'd find it was more successful than you're thinking.

Nice vegitarian indian selection there...yeah, fennel is good, but I use it very sparingly, if at all. Lassii is the shit.