Special dinner for Christmas Eve which isn’t too expensive and quick to make

[theotherfossilsister]

I volunteered to cook on Christmas Eve, elderly mil, me, dp and fussy two year old. Any ideas please? I finish work at five so it will need to be quick

Fajitas. You can’t go wrong with fajitas. Fry off some chicken breast with some peppers and onions, and add a fajita spice mix. On the table put some wraps, ready grated cheese, some ding rice, some coriander and some quartered limes - shop bought salsa and guacamole if it works for you. 20 minutes and it’s done. That’s my lazy but looks like I’ve made an effort dinner.

Or buy a pie and serve with some roast veg and mini potatoes (that you can chuck in the oven with the pie)

I'd go ready made pie, new potatoes and steam packet of veg - or cauli cheese (ready bought) and microwave mash.

I have the filling for a pie slow cooking in the oven right now. Ready to put together at speed tomorrow

I make chestnut and chorizo soup.

Roast carrots onions celery at 170c for 40 mins with a light swish of olive oil , fry that chorizo you buy in the supermarket like a salami. I usually chop half a ring of chorizo to two trays of roast veg. Blend with hot water and a pack of merchant gourmet chestnuts. Buy 2 packs and you can make it again with the other half ring.

Festive and delicious.

I'd go ready made something with nice sides like potato dauphinoise and creamed spinach.

But, FWIW we are doing Breakfast for Dinner- deluxe for Christmas eve. Scrambled eggs made with cream and topped with salmon roe and dill on bagels for me and the DCs and bagels topped with mushrooms cooked in a cream and tarragon sauce for vegetarian DH. That really is simple, yet feels quite special.

Salmon cooked in foil in the oven or grilled, baby potatoes, lightly steamed broccoli or green beans. While all that is cooking, make this sauce, which is really easy and absolutely delicious. You don't need to buy all those herbs, but some fresh herbs absolutely make it. No need to worry about low-sodium stock either, I didn't. https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/248697/light-lemon-sauce-with-herbs/

Depends what you consider expensive and easy really! And how ‘special’ it needs to be
Prep ahead Mac and cheese that you can just bake when you finish?
a frozen salmon en croute or beef wellington? (2 yr old could try it but have some sides of whatever they will eat) They’re not too expensive from Aldi
a cheese board - something for everyone to pick at
make or buy a pie, you could do that today then it’s in the oven with some chips, veggies on the side and gravy
lasagne?
personally I’d never say no to a huge bowl of pasta and a good salad and garlic bread on the side. You can make a quick tomato sauce or carbonara in minutes
lay the table nicely, Christmas crackers, light a candle and have a nice dessert with a tub of chocolates and some drinks and I think you’re fine

A friend has always done spicy pumpkin / squash soup, Camembert in the oven, and nice bread to go with them; plus nibbles and bubbles. Simple , tasty, warming.

We're having pizza and buffet bits Xmas eve! Quick and easy.

Second this. I would do a little buffet of hot/cold foods.

Asda or Iceland party packs. Pizzas, sausage rolls, fruit, cheese, quieche Crackers etc.

In fact still haven't planned our Xmas eve so will probably do this. We usually go out - pizza express or something nothing fancy but not sure I fancy that this year.

We have baked camembert (with a few different toppings eg garlic, rosemary, chilli etc), warm baguettes, cold meats and salad.

This.
You could make salmon en route if you wanted to make it fancier, still really easy with ready-made pastry

I’m doing fish and chips with mushy mint peas. It’s a favourite and really quick in the air fryer!

Spaghetti carbonara?

Fish pie is one of our trad meals. This year we're having venison sausage casserole

What is your two year old's favourite meal? Make that!

We always have fish. This year it's Fish pie for DH from m&S. Kids (2, 4, 7) are having fish fingers. I'm having ready made prawn cocktail with a ready made salad. Be damned if I'm doing more than turning the oven on, I'm already exhausted and won't get to bed til early hours Christmas day - I need my strength! 😂