Boeuf bourguignon for Christmas Eve?

[BeWellJ]

We have 12 people for dinner on Christmas Eve and I also have to work on that day, so I want to keep things simple.

Thinking of making a boeuf bourguignon ahead and freezing it and then just doing mash and a couple of green veg- do you think that seems reasonable? Plus some canapes and champagne before and yule log for pud + cheese.

Any ideas for making the BB seem festive? Everyone will like it apart from possibly my neighbour's 6yo but I can stick a tray of sausages in as well for them. (I'd normally design a menu with more thought so that this wasn't needed but I really need to prioritise doing something I can get on the table with minimum fuss).

Yes! I love BB and would be thrilled to be served that on christmas eve.

Recipe please!

It sounds fab. And it will go with any red wine anyone cares to bring.

Sounds great but I would want a proper dessert. Yule log is cake not dessert. Maybe make a fruit pie or trifle? Those can both be done in advance.

Oh excellent, thanks all.

@littlebilliie I usually make this one Perfect boeuf bourguignon recipe - BBC Food which is a pretty classic version and always comes out well.

Just random ideas for making it festive as you asked... although I don't necessarily think you need to..it's a lovely dish regardless.

• Make it with mulled red wine
• Add cinnamon into the sauce
• Pop some chestnuts into it before it starts cooking
• Upgrade the type of meat e.g. special type of beef... Topside instead of casserole beef for example, I'm not an expert
• Add really posh mushrooms not just your usual mushrooms.
• Pop some redcurrant sauce on the table to serve with it

• *Make it with mulled red wine
• Add cinnamon into the sauce*

Please no!

Sounds divine - we had it for Christmas dinner last year as it cooked itself while we went to the pub for drinks and canapes. I also think Yule Log is perfect for pud, or mince pies and posh creams. Last year someone brought some Bailey's clotted cream and a tiny egg spoon of it was a sufficiency! It's Christmas Eve - people will be thrilled you are hosting and the welcome is more important than the spread.

I would love this if I was a guest on Christmas Eve. No need to change the recipe, it's just fab as it is. Do not go near mulled wine or cinnamon!

Enjoy!

YUP! Don't experiment on Christmas Eve!

Yule log is perfect, especially if you have some clotted cream or Baileys cream to go with it!
Fruit pie is not at all festive 🎄

My kids would riot of we didn't have yule log 😂I make it with a flourless sponge so it is less cakey than some.

Thanks very much, everyone!

You're no cook are you!

Under no circumstances add cinnamon or mulled wine to BB.

Braising/ stewing steak makes a delicious stew.

I knew that some of you would bite! Thank you for the fun

OP, I think your menu sounds perfect, I always have BB on Christmas Eve.

The only thing I would change is your potatoes, mash for 12 is a lot of mashing. I would do dauphinois or boulangere potatoes, easy to prepare in advance and then cook in the oven.

Just have lots of candles in the room, maybe a table centrepiece with seasonal greenery, the general atmosphere of anticipation always makes Christmas Eve special anyway.

Very nice indeed.

That all sounds wonderful.

BB is BB. And wonderful. You will have Christmas decorations, a Yule log, the whole occasion is festive!

However for that special festive feel put holly or edible glitter in the BB?

Or both?

Cake isn't dessert too me, I would be disappointed with any kind of cake for dessert

My daughter loves it too, we just have it separately for her. Everyone else has dessert and then cake 🤣

Would you be disappointed if the Yule log was a chocolate roulade filled with whipped cream and ganache? Is that still a cake to you?

Sounds like my perfect Xmas Eve dinner OP😋

In the unlikely event a guest is affronted by the idea of Yule Log as pudding, you could always have some cheese and crackers on hand😏

Really? Someone’s gone to the trouble of cooking for 12 and you find cake unacceptable? Blimey.

Here’s an idea. Offer to make “proper” pudding for everyone.

Then you are very ungrateful and pretty rude.

Oooh I’m gonna do a BB for Christmas Eve now too, thanks for the idea. Was thinking salmon but my parents aren’t fish people, or curry but a BB feels way more festive. 🤩

Yuck. No