My kitchen is being remodeled, and I may or may not have a functioning stove by Christmas. I'm looking for a festive meal that can be cooked in countertop appliances.

Reading 'The River Cottage Meat Book' by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall (great name, eh?), there is a recipe for Bollito Misto--a mixed boil, basically an Italian version of pot-au-feu. It looks pretty simple--simmer a mixture of meats with vegetables for several hours. The meats include stuff like tongue, brisket, a stewing hen, and sausage, and you put them into the broth at various times depending on how long they take to cook. (I don't have access to a cotechino sausage; I may bastardize the recipe and use Cajun andouille instead.)

Anybody ever attempt such a feat in something as simple as a Nesco roaster? I also have a small induction hot plate, but I would imagine getting a big pot up to a simmer on such a device would take all day.

Then again, I may just make reservations at a local restaurant...