With Bonfire night and Halloween over, Christmas is now at the forefront of most people minds and one big decision is what to have for Christmas Dinner? The obvious choice is turkey but there are alternatives and not to mention the meals that need preparing on the run up and run down from the big day itself.
Take a look at our suggestions and tips below, this list is to get your taste buds tingling with that Christmas spirit and inspire you to cook some truly mouth watering meals on through the festive period!
- Be adventurous – Our two shops, Longridge and Clitheroe offer a 3 Bird Roast at Christmas, which is a boneless turkey stuffed with a duck and which has itself been stuffed with a pheasant. There is a smaller option avail
- Try the region’s best produce – Ribble Valley Lamb for example is a popular alternative to usual Christmas meats. Our team of butchers will be able to advise which cuts are best for you. Game is a nice change for Christmas – pheasants are an excellent choice for smaller families. A brace (pair) of pheasants serves 4-5 people.
- Game is a nice change for Christmas – pheasants are an excellent choice for smaller families. A brace (pair) of pheasants serves 4-5 people.
- An economical alternative to turkey is shoulder of pork. This is still full of flavour and can serve a big family at Christmas, but is much cheaper.
- For good crackling, ask us to score the rind; stand meat on trivet in roasting tin, rind uppermost. Brush with oil and sprinkle with salt, and do not cover.
- We are renowned for the quality of our pork sausage meat. These can make a great base to produce a more exotic stuffing by adding your own ingredients.
- Goose was traditionally the preferred Christmas meat before turkey became popular. Geese are big-boned so you will need to allow 750g per person; however, younger birds are smaller and tenderer, so it would be better to buy two small geese instead of one large one.
- A great alternative to turkey is Beef Wellington. Made using only the finest Ribble Reward Beef Fillet, these are specially made to order and requested size to make it perfect for you and your family.
- Another more unusual option is a large capon – these are specially reared for Christmas and only available from specialist butchers,
- If you are only catering for a few people at Christmas, don’t be afraid to ask us for a small joint of beef of turkey; we will be more than happy to cut joints to suit your size and budget!
