Christmas is just around the corner—a time for magical gatherings around the family table, where young and old come together.
As a seasoned home cook who's prepared countless holiday feasts, I've crafted this festive yet inexpensive Christmas menu to bring holiday magic to your plates without straining your wallet.
Featuring a starter, main course, and dessert, this complete meal will delight your guests affordably. It's gourmet dining on a budget!
Ingredients for 6 people
- 250g fresh salmon
- 4 eggs
- 20 cl heavy cream
- 1 lemon
- 20 g dill
- Salt and pepper
Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. In a bowl, combine diced fresh salmon, egg whites, lemon juice, dill, and salt.
3. Mix everything together.
4. Fold in the heavy cream and mix well.
5. Pour into a buttered cake mold.
6. Bake for 45 minutes.
7. Serve warm or cold.
Ingredients for 6 people
- 1 leg of lamb, 1.5 kg
- 8 large potatoes
- 5 cloves of garlic
- A few sprigs of thyme
- 120 g butter
- Salt and pepper
Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Wash, peel, and slice the potatoes into rings.
3. Layer them evenly in your baking dish and top with butter shavings.
4. Prick the lamb and insert slivers of peeled garlic.
5. Coat the lamb with the remaining butter.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Place on top of the potatoes and bake.
8. Cook for 40 minutes for medium-rare.
9. Rest under foil for 10 minutes before slicing.
10. Serve with flavorful, lamb-infused potatoes.
Ingredients for 6 people
- 6 eggs
- 1 glass powdered sugar
- 1 glass flour
- 1 sachet yeast (11 g)
- 250g dark chocolate
- 100 g butter
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Separate yolks from whites.
3. Beat yolks with sugar and 3 tbsp warm water until foamy.
4. Add flour and yeast.
5. Mix to a smooth batter.
6. Fold in whipped whites.
7. Spread 1 cm thick in a flat pan and bake 10 minutes.
8. Turn out onto a damp cloth.
9. Roll and cool.
10. Melt chocolate and butter in a bain-marie.
11. Unroll cake, spread ¾ chocolate mixture.
12. Reroll.
13. Top with remaining chocolate, draw patterns with a fork.
14. Chill in fridge.
Christmas is about family joy, not kitchen stress! Involve everyone in prep—the more hands, the quicker the feast.
Starter: Salmon terrine with dill
- 250 g fresh salmon: €4.05
- 4 eggs: €1
- 20 cl heavy cream: €1
- 1 lemon (100 g at €3.60/kg): €0.36
- 20 g dill: €1.20
Total: €7.61 or €1.26 per person.
Main: Leg of lamb with baked potatoes
- 1.5 kg leg of lamb: €14.96
- 8 large potatoes: €2
Total: €16.96 or €2.82 per person.
Dessert: Chocolate log
- 6 eggs: €1.50
- 1 glass flour (~100g): €0.10
- Yeast sachet (11 g): €0.14
- 250g dark chocolate: €2.60
Total: €4.34 or €0.72 per person.
Full meal for 6: €28.91 or just €4.81 per person! Now, plan that Christmas breakfast. ;-)
