Hello all you food experts

I lurk here regularly, but rarely post. I have a dilemma, and it seems like
this is the perfect place to pose the question. I am the traditional host of
our family's Christmas celebrations. We live 4 hours from our family and
have 2 children, so we have always done Christmas at our house. This means
the family spends at least two nights at my home - which is wonderful, I
love having my family here. My dilemma is this: we attend the 4:00
Children's Mass on Christmas Eve, then come home to have supper. The last
few years, I have had a beef stew, salad and fresh bread on the menu. It was
tasty, filling, and easy (since it was pre-made). But his year, I am tired
of serving the same thing, and want something different.
The requirements are these:
1. It has to be something that I can throw on the table with VERY little
immediate prep. Putting it in the crock-pot in the am is no problem, or
whipping up the last minute items is fine - but this is a QUICK, EASY meal.
2. No fish -my parents just don't like it - so while I would adore a lovely
baked salmon and rice dish, they would HATE it ( and I am allergic to
shellfish - so shrimp is out of the question )
3. My family prefers a light meal, since we are having a huge meal on
Christmas day. This is really just a comfy supper that fills our bellies,
and is a quick and easy prep after church.
4. My mother HATES soup - and pleasing Mom is VERY important

I'm stumped as to what to serve. Maybe a lasagna and salad? I could make it
up ahead of time and pop it in the oven on a low temp. to heat before we
leave for Mass, or I could do a marinara sauce with sausage and meatballs in
the crock-pot, then simply cook up some pasta when we get home, but this
seems like such a cop-out. Does anyone have ANY ideas for me?

I love to cook and feed people, but my guests are not huge eaters. They like
simple food (we are true Yankees all the way LOL), and I don't want to fuss
Christmas Eve. I'm a good cook - but I do my "thing" Christmas Day -
Christmas Eve is just about a homey meal that is low on immediate prep. I'm
fresh out of ideas........
Thanks so very much! I have total faith in your suggestions!
kathi



I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I
usually make the right decision.