Impressive but not too expensive Xmas dinner ideas?

ostrichnomore_2

Ideas/recipes needed please.

First Xmas dinner for new man PLUS new man's parents (eek). His mum is super duper cook so feeling a bit intimidated - I'm not bad but sometimes things come up fantastic, sometimes only ok, so need something foolproof. I'd love to knock her socks off, in a nice way.

Not turkey. Something a bit different to standard Sunday roast type meal but still 'trad Xmas', if you see what I mean. I'm good at fab pork with crackling and crispy roast spuds, but is that a bit ordinary? Have done duck in past and never got it to come out just right. Have offer of couple of pheasants for freezer but his Dad is very conservative when it comes to food and wouldn't eat them (he doesn't even like onions/garlic, or anything spicy).

Of course, a wonderful beef rib roast would be great for this, or goose which I love - but too expensive. Anyone got any inspiration for something that looks the bees knees, is fairly straightforward to cook and not going to break the budget? I'd look to spend up to about £30 on the meal for four of us.

jackomdj

If you are trying to impress and Dad is a bit of a traditionalist you may want to stick with turkey! Or double check that they would be ok with something else.

I love turkey and to me Christmas dinner is a turkey roast.

whitewing

The pork sounds lovely. I would be disappointed to go for xmas dinner where there is not turkey and christmas pudding unless I knew in advance that there would not be.

Maysie

i saw something like this recipe i cobbled together in the waitrose entertaining order book last year. Its just a little accompaniment thing. posh pigs in blankets.

Sausagemeat and stuffing ( you can buy it from paxo) make balls then flatten (50p width) wrap the straightest streaky bacon you can find around the edge. It usually sticks ok but you can use cocktail sticks for a better shape when cooked. Then make some breadcrumbs (so nice home-made) sprinkle on the top of each piece then get a wedge of lemon and just a squeeze a few drops onto the top of each piece.

Its so simple and very tasty.

about 20 minutes to cook

breadcrumbs i usually just blend whenever we have some really nice bread leftover and freeze in bulk so its easy and quick in advance. paxo sausagemeat and thyme http://www.paxo.co.uk/range/paxo-celebrations/
is lovely. Bacon is specially selected from aldi as its usually quite straight.

System

I was going to suggest quail or something. But if they don't eat that type of stuff then its out the window. I'd maybe stick to turkey then. You can't go wrong with it really.

We are having pheasant for xmas dinner (just me, OH and baby). Then on Boxing day we are hosting for my family. I am making a slow cooked lamb casserole with dumplings. I'll be doing a starter and pud ... haven't chosen them yet though. I'll still be setting up like an xmas dinner with crackers, xmas napkins ect. xx

the_why_bird

I wouldn't worry too much about things being 'ordinary'. Christmas is one time when people like tradition. No one would be disappointed with turkey on Christmas, even though it's predictable - people like predictable at the holidays. And as a bonus, it's 'safe'. The more unusual you get, the more chance of someone not liking it.

If I were you I'd do your turkey or the pork that you're good at, and do something a bit more unusual as a starter or a desert. Best of both worlds - something unique along with the traditional stuff that you know they will like.

browneyedbazzi

What about a glazed ham? It's what I do for Christmas Eve (when my family celebrates)...it's not turkey but still quite 'traditional' and if you stud it with cloves and use redcurrant jelly to make the glaze it looks and smells lovely and Christmassy.

It can also be quite cheap as there are almost always supermarket offers on large gammon joints in the run up to Christmas...if cooked in the right way these turn out just as nice as things sold as 'ham' at double (or more) the price.

boat_girl

A big salmon would look impressive and they normally have some good offers close to Christmas.

ostrichnomore_2

Thanks.

OH and I have vetoed the turkey as we find it very boring. We have warned his parents not to expect it.

Ham or salmon could be good alternatives, thanks.

Arwen

Checkout Lidl's and Aldis. They have loads of alternative Christmas dinners, reasonably priced and have easy cooking instructions so you aren't slaving over a hot stove at Christmas

antw23uk

Individual beef wellingtons by Lorraine Pascal ... I've done them a few times and they always impress.

The first time I spent an absolute fortune on four beef tenderloin but the 2nd time round I brought a pack of two and sliced them in half and it was more than enough to make four :T

At the end of the day Xmas dinner is a roast dinner no matter how you jazz it up, lol. I'm sure they will love whatever you do but I would say if you and OH think turkey is boring then you havent been cooking it right