Pre Christmas Meal ideas

[JimandPam]

Hi all

Leaning on your expertise and cookery skills!

We are hosting my parents and PIL the Friday before Christmas for an evening. We did this last year and everyone enjoyed it so decided to make it an annual thing.

This year is even more special as we plan on telling them we are expecting next year.

I'd love some meal ideas-I want to do something festive (avoiding the obvious turkey etc that will be eaten a few days later) but not where I'm shut in the kitchen all evening! I'm thinking some canapés, main meal and dessert.

Ideas would be much appreciated!

Canapes:
Smoked salmon pate croustades www.strongertogether.coop/recipes/smoked-salmon-pate (most supermarkets sell smoked salmon pate)
Brie and cranberry tarts

Main:
Beef wellington with honey roast carrots and parsnips, and creamy horseradish mash.
I've used this recipe and it turns out really well, which means it must be fool proof! realfood.tesco.com/recipes/beef-wellington.html

Dessert:
Ferraro Rocher cheesecake www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/no-bake-chocolate-hazelnut-cheesecake I add gold sprinkles to make it look really special
Or if you have room in your freezer, this winter bombe www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/fruit-recipes/winter-pudding-bombe/

I love your ideas thank you so much! Really Christmassy but throughout potentially repeating the meal we'll be having a few days later!

Brie and cranberry is a classic and I love a bit of salmon!! Beef Wellington may be out of my element as looks quite complicated but am willing to give it a go! And we have quite a big freezer so the winter bomb is absolutely spectacular

Thanks so much @Ricekrispie22

We are also hosting friends a couple of days before Christmas and will be doing:

Brie and cranberry puff pastry mini tarts to start

Duck breast in cherry sauce with dauphinois potatoes and green beans

Baileys pavlova for dessert

So it's festive but not like you would have on Christmas Day.

Beef Wellington really isn't complicated, honestly, especially if you buy ready made puff pastry. Salmon be croute is also lovely.
Both can be prepared ahead and cooked when you need it

Any fish with a creamy leek sauce: sliced leeks cooked in butter til soft. Add cream, salt and pepper and a touch of curry powder.

Dessert - Nigella's clementine cake is festive. I'd serve it with caramelised clementines and ice cream
www.nigella.com/recipes/clementine-cake