And in our household, we are talking about the holidays and food.

Our adults only Christmas luncheon is scheduled for December 8 this year, so there's no time like the present.

It seems to become harder every year. Lyman's family doesn't share our eclectic tastes. They like their meat and vegetables cooked to death for one thing. That takes several of our favorites off the plate right there.

For instance, while my sister was here, we cooked this recipe. (The pork only. Lyman doesn't care for turnips or rutabagas, which is another Gore limitation.) We served it with the baked onion below, roasted new potatoes, and grilled asparagus.

We bake it pink, so it's buttery tender.

Well, that's raw meat to Big Daddy, and he says he won't eat raw meat.

Crisp-tender grilled vegetables just aren't cooked, according to Girl. Lyman's sister likes her steaks and chops well done, so I won't sacrifice a good steak or a lamb chop for any of them.

SO we're thinking this year about stuffed bell peppers according to the recipe in this book. They can be prepared ahead of time.

Despite the restrictions against two starches (the peppers include rice), I'm thinking a nice mound of mashed potatoes to go with all that great tomato gravy, and a large green salad, as usual. I'd like one more veg, but I can't come up with one right now. Oh yeah, there are great options, but dammit I won't cook perfectly respectable vegetables to mush.

In our 12 years at this task, we haven't served a bread pudding. That's the search, and the upcoming trials, and I'm not up for all that tasting. I don't eat desserts.

Update: You know, a yellow squash casserole wouldn't be bad with this meal. Southern Living had a good recipe for one a couple of years ago.