How to Revamp Your Christmas Dinner

How to Revamp Your Christmas Dinner

December 2018

Prepare a pastry centrepiece‘Tis the season! The Christmas holidays are the tastiest time of the year; and, like many countries, the UK has its own selection of traditional treats to celebrate the holidays. From the classic turkey roast to brandy-soaked Christmas puddings, you’ve probably already tried it all, so here are a few creative dining ideas to include in your Christmas feast and please all tastes. Eat, drink and be merry!

For those who want to go off the beaten track of Christmas cuisine, a good option would be a pastry dish, such as a beef Wellington – it can make for an impressive and delicious centrepiece for your Christmas feast. If you like experimenting with your flavours or would like to go meat-free, you can replace the traditional filling with mushrooms, cheese and your choice of vegetables. This can include anything from sweet potato to beetroot or spinach- or even all of them together!

Serve the most succulent turkey

Sometimes a simple detail can make a big difference. In case you still want a traditional turkey roast to grace your Christmas table, you can make it extra flavoursome by adding an inventive touch to it. Mix butter, herbs, spices and fresh orange juice and rub it under the skin before you cook the turkey, making it extra juicy and buttery. You can also put halved oranges and lemons, along with some of the butter mixture, inside the turkey to make the citric flavour pop. Another option would be glazing it with orange marmalade.

Go green!

There are plenty of options for veggies to rejoice this Christmas. If you want your menu to be completely vegetarian – or even vegan – you can bake a pie with a delicious vegetable filling. If you are using ready-made pastry, make sure it is suitable for vegetarians or vegans. Another option is a delicious lentil bake, made even better if you top it with homemade cranberry sauce. You can also make stuffed peppers or aubergines, prepare your very own nut and mushroom roast… the possibilities are endless!

Reinvent mincemeat pies

Mince pies aren’t for everyone. If the traditional filling doesn’t please your palate, you might want to replace it with apple, pear and ginger for a warming, delicious homemade dessert. Chop fresh apples or pears and flavour them with your choice of spices, add grated or candied ginger and put the mix inside the pastry case to bake. Top it with a buttery crumble to finish off your original “mince” pies.

Alternative Christmas desserts

Like mince pies, the Christmas pudding is another British classic. And, like mince pies, it doesn’t always cater to all tastes. If you’re looking to surprise guests at your Christmas dinner with some original desserts, consider preparing a delicious berry trifle, a spiced sticky toffee pudding (the addition of spices can make the flavours more festive!) or an impressive Black Forest gateau.

Regardless of your choice of menu, remember to have fun with it, enjoy your holidays and spend plenty of time with your friends, family and loved ones. Merry Christmas!