Ideas for dinner please

itswhat

first time posting on this board so be kind.;)
I'm trying to think of something inexpensive but festive ish for a pre christmas dinner. We have family visiting on the 23rd, so I don't want to do a traditional christmas dinner, but would like it to be "nice" and a little festive, but also inexpensive.
There will be 5 of us, all meat eaters the only real dietary issues are not spicey and not chinese
Help
thank you
IW

LydiaSophia

What about a stew with dumplings. Not that festive but yum and cheap to make and also very filling

RainbowsInTheSpray

How about a buffet meal with dips and snacks? Lidl do a stonking potato salad and all kinds of cheap things you could lay out.

Depending on how much you want to spend, you could do a meat element like barbecue ribs or chicken drumsticks.

itswhat

Stew (of various types) tends to be my standby, so if all else fails...

A buffet is a good idea (especially after watching Nigella last night) although the guests are all older members of the family and I think a sit down meal would suit them better. I love having visitors and cooking but right now I'm feeling a bit unimaginative.

Anyone know where I can get cheap Poussin?

IW

V.Lucky

How about a whole salmon (Morrisons do a free rental on a fish kettle) with the accompaniments buffet style? Easy to do, and salmon goes down a treat with the oldies.

mouseymousey99

Delia's beef in beer has never let me down, if you want too you can buy some flaky pastry pop that & top & voila its a steak pie!! Use stewing steak & cook for long time. Or how about a curry & rice? Or chicken supreme with rice? Stroganoff is good too - I'm sure your friends will appreciate anything home made.

Debt_Free_Chick

Game should be plentiful and cheap at the moment - if you can get it. Avoid the supermarket and ask your butcher. Better still, is there a game dealer locally?

Pheasant should be good at the moment and as the season is Oct-Jan, then it's definitely seasonal - though we don't always remember that. The shoots are selling pheasant to the game dealer for about £1 per brace, so if you can get them locally, they should be very reasonable.

You can roast or casserole pheasant

jcr16

i often cook gammon , egg and chips when family comes over. it seems to be everyone's favorite. and so simple. plus there is usually loads of gammon left over to make sandwiches for supper.

we always have family over on xmas eve for a meal. this year tho i am doing a buffet style meal.