Christmas dinner for 3 or 4?

[Mumwithbaggage]

For the last however many years I've had at least 10 for Christmas dinner - lovely! However, this year adult kids apart from one are doing different things. It will be me, dh, dd(20) and maybe her bf depending on what day his family are doing the big Christmas thing. Will see all our family a different day and will take votes on Christmas dinner trad style or rib of beef or something.

I'm now looking for something delicious and indulgent for Christmas day. DDs bf has a nut allergy - not sure about chestnuts but would rather not find out on a bank holiday! Done epipen training but don't fancy going there! If you were cooking dinner for 4 (no nuts!) all meat eaters what would your dream luxury Christmas dinner be? Just looking fro something a bit different.

Thank you!

When we had the covid year Christmas it was just the four of us - in some ways it was great not having a big family do! We could have what we wanted, and when. So had roast duck, and cooked for 5pm so wasn't stuck cooking in the morning missing parts of the day. Lots of treats in the day. And a the next year we did a bird in a bird in a bird (turkey around duck around chicken). You could get different sizes depending on how may you were feeding. That was quite good (and easy to cook). Just have to check no nuts in any stuffing. Had goose one year - wouldn't bother again as found it didn't yield much meat, and needed more attention with basting.

@Topbird29 quite looking forward to cooking on a smaller scale. Duck is definitely a contender!

Beef rib or duck are my contenders. Check all pre bought items carefully for nuts!

I’d do something with lobster like lobster thermidor en croûte or lobster mac and cheese, or with venison such as venison ragu or venison and red wine pie.

Goose! A regular sized one will only serve six people and the leftovers are delicious.

Beef wellington

Turducken!

Although one year we each (three of us) had a whole small roast chicken each which seemed wildly extravagant whilst also being very cheap!

I've had Christmas with just 3 adults and we had smoked salmon terrine, rib roast then trifle, but a pavlova is nice too.

I'm not a massive fan of turkey, but a turkey crown is quicker than a whole one or a duck as someone else said.
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/smoked-salmon-terrine I think I used this recipe, but didn't do all the layers inside and it was on the table as a dip. You can make individual ones like the pic though, if you wanted it as a starter. I also like chicken liver parfait with little toasts.

I have what I'd have if cooking fur six or more: turkey and trimmings. I'd get a smaller turkey or turkey crown maybe, but really it just means more leftovers!
The work isn't really less if you are cooking the same things just reducing the amount.

Goose

Roast duck - it's been our christmas day staple for years. So much nicer than turkey. Pheasant would also be something different - 1 for every 2 people.

To those suggesting goose, my in-laws used to have this every year, since FIL was a child- so 70+yrs. I know supermarkets sell them, but they always went to a local farm/breeder. Last year they were quoted £140 for one. Its lucky if it it served 4 of us, and they just couldn't justify the cost.

We always had beef for Xmas dinner because no-one liked turkey.

It's just DD and me now, and we always have chicken, because that's her preference, and I can't afford beef.

I always say on these threads just have whatever you want, there's no rules!

If I was on my own I'd probably just have a beef stew or steak pie, my own preferred meals.

Some lovely ideas! I often get roped into playing the organ at the village church and then cooking for at least10 (absolutely my choice - I have plenty of helpers!), veggie and non veggie, so a relaxed delicious meal we all love is quite exciting!

@JC03745 that salmon terrine looks very nice!

Christmas is often just the 3 of us, I. The past we've done Peking roast duck and last year we had Indian style roast lamb and sides from our local takeaway.

We don't know how many will be there this year Sono idea what we're doing.

And it can be made a day or 2 ahead to save time! 😄

140 for a goose?
Faints away...

Another vote for duck in that case.
I would do two for four . Lots of leftovers.

Agree with this^

The greatest number I’ve ever cooked Christmas lunch for is 5. We only have one DC and - until he was 16 - we would cook Christmas dinner for the three of us plus my parents. Both passed away in their 90s and since then it’s been the three of us. For some years we cooked a big chicken and I did wonder if we would switch to beef. I suggested this, but chicken is still favoured. As my DC said “grandma never liked turkey and always loved chicken “

I always cook for 4. We normally still have turkey but just buy a turkey crown or a stuffed and rolled turkey breast (check no nuts in the stuffing). However this year I really fancy beef. I'm thinking a rib of beef or a beef wellington.

Or get a capon- large chick. Not sure re flavour though.

We get a good quality chicken from the local butcher. The flavour is great and tons better than even the best turkey. I also sometimes get an extra leg of chicken to cook alongside because we all like leg meat

Good plan!