M&S Christmas Food hit and misses

[gbpaln]

I'm always taking notes for next year so interested in thoughts on M&S Christmas food hits and misses. Ours were:

Hits
Chateaubriand beef with peppercorn source
Sticky toffee trifle (was sceptical but delicious)
Christmas sourdough (made the most amazing Boxing Day sandwiches)

Misses
Dancing through the Snow dessert (it was fine and looked amazing when on the table but very.expensive for a couple of spoonfuls of mousse)
Pigs in Blankets Mac 'n' Cheese

Appreciate it is all down to personal taste but always wonder what delights I have missed.

suit yourself! Pay more money with M&S!

Suit yourself! Pay more money at M&S - you can look up the supply chain for M&S & Aldi - and they come from the same ones - Waitrose is separate - tescos is separate

@KTCustard178 did you see this post? This MNer actually worked in quality control in a food warehouse. Stop peddling your silly video and listen to people. If you honestly believe you’re buying M&S food in Aldi then crack on.

Categorically not the same even if from same warehouse ! Must use different ingredients.

Miss Merry munch we loved it last year but this year too many salted pretzels compared to other bits and not worth the price. Milk chocolate and cinnamon tortilla rolls, not much cinnamon flavour.
I remember when the pine cones first came out, I think they were either £8 or £10 a pack and worth it. I refused to get them this year.

No problem! I'm not pushing for anyone to believe me. I just thought I was being helpful in letting people know. Why spend all that money at M&S when it all comes from the same supplier chain with THE SAME INGREDIENTS - You can look it up yourself - I won't say anymore!

I bought 2 of the plain Spanish pan de cristal breads - these are in the chilled section and you have to cook them for about 15 mins. We had them on Boxing Day with pate and everyone was raving about them. They are the best accompaniment to pate I have ever found. They are very expensive too! But absolutely worth it for a special meal.

That’s interesting @Arran2024 . I was tempted by those. I’ll try them as they are in stock all year I think.

Just keep an eye on them when cooking them - i almost ruined them! They didn't take as long as it said

Thanks @Arran2024

We had a Heritage dry cured gammon with orange glaze for dinner yesterday - a nice smallish piece as it’s just me, DH and our young adult DD who is still at home for the holidays. It said serves 3, but there was plenty left for sandwiches today and it was excellent. I liked that the glaze was separate, so I could soak and then boil it and then just do the last 15 mins in the oven to glaze - ham/gammon is always much nicer that way than baked.

Hi OP - was the "Dancing through the Snow" dessert the reindeers @£22?
I tried, unsuccessfully, to get this for my Grandchildren.

@KTCustard178did you really need to do the same video post 5 times? 🤣 nah!

I microwaved for 2.5mins, then into a frying pan for about 7, I did end up whacking a lid onto the frying pan so it would steam them through to soften them, it worked and they were pretty good!

Oh j forgot to say the posh fresh custard (Madagascan vanilla one) was delicious. Not sure if they do it all year round but would def get that again.

I would encourage anyone who loves M&S food to take a look at food waste inspector on instagram. In a time when so many have to rely on foodbanks and so many children live in food crisis the shear amount of IN DATE food they put in the bin is sickening.

We bought a turkey, pigs in blankets and stuffing balls in M&S before Xmas then I became really unwell and not able to cook the ‘big’ dinner! The dh went and got some M&S Xmas ready meals, they were awful! Needless to say our proper Xmas dinner is still in the freezer!

Loved the frangipane tart, and the yule log. Lovely goose fat roast potatoes too.
Not for me, but DD loved the Rodney Reindeer pies as she doesn't like mince pies and felt included by having those. She ate three boxes over the Christmas period.

Yes it was. A lot of other posters have mentioned their's were damaged. You did not miss out.

A bit late now, but if you photographed the damaged goods and write M&S an email they are usually good a refunding. We had a M&S Christmas food to order beef wellington fully refunded when a small tear split open during cooking and I told them that while it was tasty it ruined the "presentation" and not what I expected from M&S food to order. They replied quickly and no quibbles at all.

I will attempt to avoid buying any food from M&S next year as they were all misses - oh, apart from the profiteroles which stay the same.
Misses
Reindeer in snow, sweet and sickly and needed more crunch - I was warned not to let them fall over.
Halloumi bites, mini tacos and small meat pies (with a lattice topping) - all dry and too beige, the tacos fell open in the oven and looked like guinea pig poo.
Small smoked-salmon mousse bites - yuck.
I bought the pine cones, wrapped them individually and dropped in freezer for the January blues - had before but won't buy again at £17 for 6.

Agreed. These are gorgeous.

Did no one else have their amazing smoked salmon fillet ( with knife)?
it was so delicious and all went straight away. I’d love to have again.

Hits:
Sticky toffee trifle (bought for a family member as only me and partner at Xmas, and due to health reasons, watching what we eat - if they did a smaller version would definitely have got one) - very positive reviews from family.
The rack of lamb: - no fancy crusts/sauce, just lamb rack - delicious and not greasy/fatty - plenty of meat.
Chocolate pinecones - have had them every year for the last few years. Didn't have them last year and regretted it, bought them again this year.

Misses: none, but will be having the Wagyu joint for dinner tomorrow.

Ocardo delivery for M&S.