Traditional dinner ideas

[Stumpedasatree]

Has anyone got any tried and tested recipes that would be perfect for two elderly guests who are very traditional in their tastes? And just a little bit special, as will be a pre Christmas celebratory meal? I’m going to do a trifle for dessert, but a bit stumped on main course, although was thinking boeuf bourguignon or similar….

Toad in the hole.

Hotpot (ive been making one recently for my parents using john watts recipe its lovely)

One pot chicken stew type thing with veg & potatoes cooked with chicken thighs .

Enjoy 🎄

Depends how well they are able to enjoy their food. A year ago, my Mum would have loved a boeuf bourgignon but this year probably couldn't be bothered to chew it .

If they can eat well I'd say that's a good choice. Other thoughts are eCoq au vin or salmon en croute

My Mum would be better now with something like a fish pie, which is pretty special with the price of good fish, or a shepherds pie (not so special but very tasty!)

Shepherds pie...but don't make with lamb mince...use an actual slow cooked shoulder of lamb and shred the meat off.

Salmon en croute using the Good Housekeeping recipe is dead easy.

Mix some chopped spinach with creme fraiche and spread on puff pastry, place salmon fillet on top, season with salt and pepper and fold pastry over into parcel. Slit top. Brush with some creme fraiche loosened with water and bake for 30 mins at 180. You can add a little fresh dill with seasoning if they like that.

Serve with buttered new potatoes and whatever is their favourite veg.

Venison cottage pie with creamed cabbage
Luxurious fish pie www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/seafood-recipes/luxurious-fish-pie/
Salmon en croute, tenderstem broccoli and parmentier potatoes

I'm guessing they don't want big portion, my mum takes great exclamation over "all that food"
Slow roast lamb shanks with mash and green beans
Fish pie
Salmon wrapped in Parma ham with lemon butter sauce
Cod with herb crumb
Pork fillet in mushroom sauce
Or something they wouldn't do for themselves like roast beef and Yorkshire puddings

They can eat well still, medium portions not massive. Some really good ideas thank you.

@Comedycook Wow loving the idea of the slow cooked lamb in a shepherds pie- you got a recipe??

I'd probably do something like:-

roast beef and yorkshires or roast lamb & mint sauce
Homemade steak and kidney pie
Salmon in a white wine and cream sauce with asparagus & new potatoes

or your original idea of boeuf bourgignon served with dauphinoise potatoes.

Sorry, no recipe but I'd probably just make the usual sauce for a shepherds pie base...ie..onions, diced carrots sweated in oil, then I'd add a little tomato puree, flour to thicken, stock, red wine,herbs and then shred all the slow cooked meat off the bone and add...then do the usual mash on top

I'd probably make a pie, either a creamy chicken & leek one or steak and Stilton with some really good mash and veg. Or possibly proper triple cooked beef dripping chips instead of mash, not posh but always feel special to me as I have them maybe once a year 😂🤤

If you want something traditional but a little special and have a good butcher at hand I might go for braised ox cheeks. Alternatively, my parents were always really happy with either roast beef or duck breast. I'd be careful with lamb shanks - would be too fatty for my folks.

Another one for Toad in the Hole! Let me know if you need a Yorkie recipe

toad in the hole doesn’t feel like it meets the ‘a little bit special’ part of the brief. It’s a bit ordinary, surely.

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/beef-vegetable-casserole

i made this the other day and it was really nice and very easy. We had with roast potatoes and pan fried savoy cabbage (and the leftovers with baked crunchy rolls and loads of butter!)

Toad in the hole with really nice sausages

Coq au vin
Pork tenderloin in cider with shallots, apple and parsnips
Chicken, leek and bacon pie
Pork medallions in creamy and brandy mushroom sauce