Is My Christmas Menu Ok?

[Hour]

Just wanting some inspo really. Any constructive criticism would be appreciated.

I will be doing:

appetisers (husband does these)
brie and cranberry bites
smoked salmon and fake caviar blinis
pear and melon or a chicken caeser salad skewer

main
Chicken ballotine (basically a roulade with stuffing)
brussel sprouts with bacon bits
honey roasted rainbow carrots
roast potaoes
roast parsnips
cabbage
pigs in blanket
gravy

pudding
homemade Yule log
Christmas pudding (bought)
Panne cotta (teen son will make)

posh coffee and homemade minced pies in the evening

I would do a cheeseboard but I’d rather serve it on Boxing Day with leftovers as in my experience my lot don’t eat it.

Doesnt sound very good to me. Perhaps you should knock up a practice meal and i can taste test 😉 lol. OP it sounds lovely! Im sure your family will love it x

Yorkshire pudding goes with roast beef only. It’s cooked in the hot roasting tin as the beef joint is resting. Anything else is a parody.

No it doesn’t. What about toad in the hole?

Yorkshire pudding goes with roast beef only.

Is that because beef was the only meat that was needed to be made to go further?

Bread sauce...I buy it from M&S even though it's very easy to make.

PEAS & BROCCOLI?

Madness.

This kind of comment is why I don’t know why anyone would want to submit their menu to the scrutiny of total strangers.

They go with beef!

I wouldn't serve two 'cabbagey' things together (Brussels sprouts AND cabbage) but I am aware that lots of people do.

Otherwise it looks like a good menu. Not entirely to my taste but things rarely are! Have you had the ballotines before? I never buy things which are already stuffed as I rarely like the stuffing that is in them. I make my own stuffing so I know I like it. We don't have appetizers because we like to save all our room for the main course.

No! It's because beef, Yorkshire pudding, horseradish and a beef gravy (not too thick), taste delicious together in a way that other meats don't. Something about the irony nature of a rare piece of beef and the slightly bland nature of the pudding with that kick of horseradish is just perfect.

I love Yorkshire Puddings, but why sully their joy by overuse?

I would have thought that Yorkshire puddings would cook equally well in the fat from pork or lamb as beef.

Cauliflower cheese and roast dinner shouldn't work but can do occasionally.

Menu works for your family, what's not to love.

Sounds great. Can I come?

Indeed. Even though I'm aghast at the Yorkshire pudding and peas people, comments like this are just dickish. Why just comment to be an arse?

I make miniature Yorkshire puddings as canapés. Filled with slices of paper thin rare roast beef and a mustard cream.

I combine the cauliflower and broccoli au gratin. Yum, and makes amazing leftovers.

I’m in Australia, but I’m still cooking a turkey, sides and pudding, if it’s a warm day I just turn the air con on.

What are you worried about? That it isn’t enough? That you have forgotten something traditional? There is something amazing that you haven’t thought about? It sounds lovely to me.

If you are only catering for your family, just have whatever you enjoy. You know best what that is. We would prefer the stuffing to be separate, there would be a riot from the mash fanatics if I didn’t serve mash, we like some steamed green veg (peas, green beans or broccoli) to offset the richness and sweetness of the other vegetable dishes (roast parsnips, maple syrup roast carrots, orange braised red cabbage, sweet potato with marshmallows, sprouts with pancetta and chestnuts, cauliflower cheese), and a tin of mexicorn for the person who always had it with turkey growing up 😂 Personally, I think some of those dishes have no place at a Christmas dinner but it’s about everyone having their favourites.

The sprouts need chestnuts (it’s the law).

I'd probably drop 2 of the desserts as there's a lot and you'll be stuffed after such a lovely meal.

I'd personally drop the Christmas pudding as it's too rich and serve mini gingerbread men with the coffee. Panna cotta only would be my choice as it's nice and light after a meal.

I agree!
But there’s never a roast dinner a Yorkie can’t enhance.
Rules are made to be broken 🤭

There will be 9 of us. I will do two chicken mains. Different stuffing.

I just wanted to check it was balanced and traditional enough for what guests will be expecting

I mean most people are having some sort of bird plus vegetables and potatoes, are they not?

I don’t like cheese sauce plus gravy. I make a mean dauphinois but I won’t be making as it’s not my preference

I am 50 and have never had a Yorkshire pudding with Christmas dinner and won’t be starting now.

And leftover Yorkies with jam!

We have lamb for Christmas. None of us particularly like turkey.

I’d much prefer turkey to chicken, it’s delicious if decent quality and cooked properly with bacon and stuffing. Who’s coming along? Do they like/prefer chicken? If so I’m sure it won’t be an issue!

Other than that it sounds a lovely menu. I completely agree with no starters but would probably offer the cheeseboard in the evening.

You don't need mash and roasted but why not? Food is meant to be enjoyed and Christmas Day is the day. Some of you would have a fit if you saw my menu.