What to make for christmas dinner

There’s only 25 days of Christmas, what to make for christmas dinner start baking now. Sleigh” your app spread this year.

You’ll look like a baking champion. Find something to wow the whole table. Our hearts grew three sizes after just one drink. We all know Christmas can be an expensive time, but that doesn’t mean you need to splurge on a fancy festive menu. If you’re already planning to have the oven on in the days leading up to Christmas, pop in the parsnips and be rewarded with delicious, silky soup. These beauties take some time to make, but are well worth it.

They also make the most of low-cost ingredients. Free up time on Christmas Day by making the peperonata in advance and the polenta the day before. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser, made with slow-cooked garlic for a more mellow flavour. Cooking turkey breasts is much cheaper and easier than roasting a whole turkey, and the sausagemeat and bacon wrap helps keep it moist and full of flavour. Serve our moreish mushroom bourguignon pithivier as a vegan main course. Use chestnut and portobello mushrooms, or another selection of cheaper mushrooms. This is part of Barney Desmazery’s Cook Smart Christmas menu.

For more ideas, take a look at our Budget Christmas centrepieces. Make homemade Christmas pigs in blankets easily by using an energy-efficient air fryer. If you have herbs to hand, add flavourings such as sage leaves. Throw your potatoes, carrots, celeriac and parsnips into one tin and roast with goose fat for an irresistible traybake. It’ll free up some much needed space in your oven, too.