Alternative Christmas menu for Me and DP home alone

[AuntieMaggie]

So this year me and DP are going to be home alone for Christmas rather than going to either of our parents. Its our last one on our own as I'm pregnant, so I can't drink but we were thinking of having something other than a traditional Christmas dinner.

So what lovely treats can I cook that also won't cost much?

You have the menu of the whole world to choose from, how are we meant to narrow it down?

You must know your favourite foods?

In your position I would do a roast as Christmas isn't Christmas without all the trimmings (how can you pass up pigs in blankets ).

But if no roast I would hope our local indian was open and go for a meal there as its the best indian resturant in the world

Anything other those would feel like a let down

I know that lots of Jewish people eat chinese food on xmas day, its almost a tradition in itself! you could join them in spirit. Or how about lots of little, snacky treaty weatys? What do you both REALLY like?

One year we had roast duck chinese style pancakes which was yum and more faff than we would normally have time for.

I know downdownupdown that's why I'm stuck

He likes pizza, we both like indian, chinese (not sure if any are open round here on xmas though) a nice beef roast would be nice (we don't tend to eat roasts at home).

I'm looking for inspiration for something we don't normally think of I guess.

Think id have something a bit indulgent, sausage chips and gravy or gammon steaks with all the extras.

I mean indulgent as in you know it's bad for you, not expensive (obviously from my choices haha)

I'd get a nice little roast beef, medium rare so only takes about 40mins or so to cook... with prepared goose fat potatoes from M&S or Waitrose and other such prepped veges... its not Christmas without a roast but it doesn't have to be a faff :)

I agree. Treats, treats, treats! And short cuts, short cuts, short cuts!

How about quail or partridge? Not something you'd have every day! Sainsbury's usually have them at Christmas.

I would have duck and red cabbage.. Get some nices sides. Lovely dessert. Yum!!

We had pheasant last time it was just the 2 of us (am also pregnant with 1st baby this year but we've got everyone coming to us)

How accomplished a cook are you?

Order it all from marks and spencer and you just bung it in the oven. No prep no stress :)

I can follow recipes butterytoast so I think I'm pretty good and DPs dad is a chef so he can cook...

Thanks for all the ideas.

Why don't you have yourselves a "retro meal"

For starters - Coquilles St Jacques

Mains - Beef Wellington

Puds - Chocolate and Caramel Profiteroles

One year when we were alone we had individual beef wellingtons. They were scrummy. It still felt like a christmas dinner but much easier to cook, cheaper than a joint and not loads of leftovers. We had it with roast potatoes and veg. Not very alternative but different to turkey and much easier. We got them from the local posh butchers.