any ideas for budget christmas food?

moonbeam682

I'm hoping you can help with some ideas for budget Christmas food as I don't want to go overboard on the grocery bill this Christmas.

I was wondering what has been your cheapest Christmas & hoping for some ideas/recipes on what to serve over the 2 days. I have a joint of beef for Christmas day & have made Christmas cake/pudding/mince pies but 3 out of the 6 people coming don't like the cake/pudding/pies. I have £20 to do Christmas dinner & Boxing Day buffet & have to buy everything apart from what I've got with that.

So any ideas would be really helpful, I'm sure it can be done - just stuck for inspiration at the moment :idea:

MrsB_2

My DH's family always have homemade pavlova for Christmas day pudding. It's DH's fave and much lighter than Christmas pud - would that be an option for the 3 that dont like the traditional desert stuff??

moonbeam682

Hi MrsB

the pavlova sounds like a good idea although I've never made it before! do you have a recipe I looked on the recipe index & couldn't find one. Also do you think I could make it on Christmas Eve as the oven is always full on the big day!

rchddap1

We always have the Xmas cake out at tea (buffet) time, together with the mince pies. At lunch we usually stick to Xmas pud. Why don't you make something like a pavlova for everyone at Xmas lunch, and save the rest to add to your 'buffet' later on in the day.

Chipps

How about a fruit salad as an alternative dessert? Using a mixture of tinned & fresh fruit it can be quite cheap if you stick with fairly "ordinary" fruit, then add just one sliced star fruit for a festive look!

Mind you, as I have posted in the Christmas thread, our Christmas dinner will be economical this year, as MIL is cooking & bringing the turkey & beef as our Christmas present and my mum has bought a very nice Christmas pud. So that has cut the budget down considerably!

scuzz

We always make sweets and sausage rolls.

Buy in season veg like sprouts (yuk), squash etc

Do those who don't like mince pies like jam tarts? You could make some of those if they do

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi

I look at it as being a glorified roast dinner! Normally really only add piggy in blankets and chestnuts with the sprouts.

Roast Chicken-we dont like turkey
Roast spuds (lots)
Mash/boiled spuds
HM yorkies
Stuffing
Carrots
Sprouts & chestnuts
Peas
Pig in blankets
Gravy

Pudding is normally Xmas pud & custard.

Thorughout the day always have trifle, crisps/savoury snacks, mince pies, xmas cake, sausage rolls etc in the fridge.

Normally start the day with a full english then eat mid afternoon. All leftovers are used the next day-maybe with an added jacket spud.

PP
xx

foreverskint

what about suggesting that those coming bring a contribution so that you save some money and energy. I know I would offer if it were me, but some people are afraid to offer in case it offends the host.


I would make a sherry trifle as I think that these are cheap to make, but always go down well, especially at buffets.

Cook your own ham as this works out a lot cheaper. Check you butchers for an uncooked ham, as they often work out cheaper than the supermarkets.

Use the usual buffet fillers of potato,salad colesaw etc (homemade of course), and I find that if you want to use ready made mayo, that the LIdl/Aldi version is good for these as it's nice, but cheap.

a coupple of french sticks made in to brushetta and garlic bread?

Check out lidls for veg and fruit, ours is selling at half price at the mo, and is very cheap.

HTH

Sarahsaver

flippin eck if my guests dont want cake, pudding or pies it's their loss! How miserable! We do have a selection of cheese and biscuits planned too.

MrsB_2

Delia's Pavlova Recipe

If you make the meringue base the day before that will be fine and then just add the whipped cream and fruit (you can use just about any soft fruit on top - including frozen if you defrost it first) on the day you want it. Must admit, it's a tradition we've adopted at home and at my mum and dads cos it's so much easier to eat after the big main meal.

Edit: Just read the recipe through and she actually advises leaving it in the switched off oven over night to dry out and cool (this stops it cracking) - so perfect for your situation!!

moonbeam682

lol sarahsaver - I know, the cake smells so good too, still their loss more for the rest of us!

thanks for all the ideas everyone I'm just going to do a shopping list & see how many of your ideas will fit into my budget.

does anyone know if its cheaper to make your own stuffing or buy it?

:xmassmile :xmassign: