Beef for Christmas dinner - what to add to the small joint that's been delivered?

[Morecan]

Just taken delivery of our Christmas order (all the actual slots went before I could get them). We're having beef, but the joint delivered is smaller than the one I ordered and won't be big enough for our family. (It is good until 30 Dec tho, so that's a relief) Any ideas re. working with this to make a lovely meal?

I have the usual veg (roast and otherwise) and trimmings (including sausages in bacon, stuffing, bread sauce etc) planned, just wondering is there is something clever I haven't thought of to supplement the main event. Beef Wellington might work, tho we would probably need an alternative to the mushroom bit due to some fussy individuals Is there a second roast dish that works well with beef? I'd rather not just get a second piece of beef to go alongside this one, unless it is differently handled. Thank you!

Cook it, slice it finely, roll it up and stuff each roll inside a Yorkshire pudding with a dollop of horseradish (mixed with creme fraiche according to your taste). Garnish with a sprig of dill.

I’d buy and roast a chicken. One meat is a dinner but two is on its way to a feast. Plus it will go with all your sides and a 1.5kg bird at room temp only takes 75m to roast.

OP, I think I'd either buy a joint of another meat (e.g. ham, or a chicken) or I'd make or buy a pie of some sort to have as well. A game pie might be nice.

I make this as a veggie alternative when we have roast beef but the non veggies always want some too. The flavours complement the beef. You coud leave out the mushrooms. Although any nut roast would probably workwith beef.

www.merchant-gourmet.com/recipes/recipe/chestnut-roast/

Personally, I don't really think stuffing and pigs in blankets particularly complement beef, so I wouldn't worry about matching flavours. MrsPnut's suggestion of roasting a chicken too and having a carvery style mix is a good idea. Beef gravy works with chicken but not vice versa.

Agree with PP. Buy a chicken. The decadence of two meats at Christmas dinner is something I can always totally get behind!!!

Great suggestions. I feel so much better about this now that I know we're creating a feast rather than just a dinner - much more decadent! Leaning towards a roast chicken AND a chestnut roast ... thank you all!

I don't think things like sausages in bacon go with beef.

They are salty, and so contrast well with chicken and turkey.

And stuffing and bread sauce with beef - just no!

Giant yorkies of course!

yes chicken would be great! I love 2 meats at Christmas. we'll probably have turkey and gammon as we can have both of these in sandwiches etc days after.

Just to say thanks again for the suggestions: we had the little joint of beef, a small chicken and the chestnut roast @orangenasturtium suggested. All delicious - a proper feast with lots of excellent leftovers - and much more interesting than the single large joint of beef I originally ordered.

Sounds great! I'm in my usual post-Christmas phase of wondering if I should change things up a bit next year, so I will try to remember this thread.

yummy! Sounds likeca lovely meal