CHRISTMAS DINNER DOESN'T HAVE TO BE TURKEY incl carnivore & seafood

TURKEY-FREE CHRISTMAS DINNERS

Turkey prices are expected to be high this Christmas what with bird 'flu and the cost of feed.  

Pairing up with a pal to buy half a bird each is possible, as is buying a joint.   Selfridges in the past has sold  solitary (large) legs and wings but they are high end; markets may be a better bet.)   

(left: Vegetarian Pate & Mushroom Dome with Vegetarian Red Wine Gravy & Cranberry Sauce, recipe below)

But if your household is opting for something smaller with all the usual festive trimmings, these recipes from the archive offer gorgeous Christmas mains.   They run the range from spectacular to frugal, some are quite healthy, most are easy and some can be prepped in advance. 

The usual alternative to the Big Bird is Chicken but guinea fowl and capon are also served.  Or try a pork, beef, lamb and fish as well as vegetarian or vegan delights.  

Buy the best you can afford.  If organic is out of the question, some higher welfare meats are a good third cheaper.  But even common-all-garden supermarket meat, presented in an exciting new way, can provide a tasty attractive crowd-pleaser for the festive table. 

Want to know: 

How to enjoy festive treats and still stay healthy (ish!)?

Can a turkey-free dinner be Christmas-y and fun?  You bet, especially with meat, seafood or vegetables luxuriously presented. Crispy potatoes and sprouts are optional. 

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POULTRY

Corn-fed birds are a great alternative to organic and cost about half the price.  

Easy Christmas Dinner - is a prep-ahead chicken; a one-stop indulgence that's perfect for beginners as it virtually cooks itself.  Two rubs are available, one rich with paprika and orange, the other with orange, 5-spice  and hoisin.  Either steeps the bird with rich flavour.

Lightly spiced roast chicken; baked white & sweet potatoes; mixed veg  
 Extras: pineapple dessert & pull-apart fan rolls 

Also : 

       Chilli Con Turkey: frugal, low-cholesterol, low-salt, frugal

          Roast Oriental Chicken: wallet-friendly, exotic, for the adventurous 

Special Occasion Chicken: unbelievable flavour & crispiness

 

Pheasant with Mid-Eastern spices and Orange: during pheasant season, find a butcher/market stall with access to fresh pheasant, and freeze 

Armagnac Partridges with Apple: boozy, fruity and fanciable (budget friendly friendly if you're in the countryside)

       

Peking Duck for Pancakes: wallet-friendly, lower-fat, guilt-free, easy,

Mongolian Hotpot: absolutely not for heavy drinkers 

A selection of sassy Chicken Wings:  Chicken wings have always played a role in the Blog's Frugal section; they're incredibly budget-friendly, high in protein and take easily to different flavours.  Usually offered as footie snacks, they are also great with rice or chips and salad for lunch or supper  

BEEF

Brisket, Melt-in-the-Mouth with rich tomato sauce: wallet-friendly, low-fat, slow cooker

Beef & Black Beer Stew : frugal; one of 67goingon50's signature dishes; easy-peasy Skinnier indulgence 

Korean-style Spicy Seared Beef: spicy, sweet & tender; works with frugal & expensive cuts of beef

Peruvian marinaded Beef Steak: knock-out wallet-friendly; guys' favourite 

Luxury Steak, Potato & Onion Pie: wholly indulgent guys' favourite, tender beef with potatoes in plenty of gravy, with alcohol

Hamburger Soup: thrifty another multi-generational winner from across the pond; easy; makes lots of hearty bowlfuls of tender beefyness.

LAMB

Irish Stew: frugal, ambrosial peasant food

Luscious Lamb & Red Wine Stew: wallet friendly, slow-cooker

Lamb Shoulder with Savoury Gravy & Mint Sauce: gorgeous lower-fat roast for small households

Lamb Mongolian Style: fabulously low-fat; 2-ways; Slow Cooker 

 Flash-fried Lamb & Green Beans: tasty quick easy meal for singletons/couples 

PORK

       Exquisite Barbecued Pork: exquisitely tender despite being nearly fat free;  lower-sugar & salt, easy-peasy

Spiced Spare Ribs: almost no sugar, low-fat

Asian Pork Bao: budget-friendly, low-sugar, salt & fat;  option for Chicken/vegetarian 

FISH

Festive Fish Pie in White Wine Sauce: It's the creamy slightly boozy sauce that makes this pie so special.  Go indulgent with fresh mixed fish or thrifty with frozen; top with choice of golden croutons (pictured) or mashed potato or puff/shortcrust pastry.  Lower fat.  Super-thrifty side Lettuce Wedges & Thousand Island Dressing saves even more pennies.

Seafood Pasta with Cream & White Wine Sauce: Christmas Italian-style for households looking for something utterly indulgent and delicious. Mouthwatering & easy; the pasta has an option for no common wheat, is wallet-friendly and provides lots of extra sauce for other dishes. 

Oriental Salmon: sugar-free, sassily simple, prepare-ahead, healthy; moist, succulent and subtly flavoured

Salmon Nicoise Salad, as beautiful as it is tasty

Scallop & White Bean Potage: unusual but gorgeous pairing, soothes after over-indulgence, relatively wallet-friendly

 

Sweet Chilli & Ginger Salmon:  lower sugar, Healthy, 

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN recipes here

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