Christmas Cooking On A Budget

Create a festive feast without splashing a load of cash

So, you’re hosting Christmas lunch or dinner for family and friends? Or wanting to whip up some festive treats but don’t want it to cost a small fortune in fancy ingredients? With a little planning, imagination and creativity, you can amaze your family and guests and create some yummy Christmas food that won’t blow your budget. So get planning, and get ready to hit the kitchen – then eat and enjoy!

Planning is the key!

There’s so many wonderful dishes and delights on offer at this time of year, it can be hard to know where to start.

• We’ll provide you with lots of ideas and inspiration here, and remember to check out our handy Christmas on a budget guide for some hot tips to save you cash and stress.
• It’s also a good idea to take a look at what key ingredients are on special at your supermarket, and save a load of cash by planning your Christmas cooking around these.
  • Mangoes on a hot special? Try these fabulous Christmas mango recipe ideas.
  • Or is there a great price on raspberries this week, and a nice vanilla ice cream on special? Cool off with this delicious raspberry ice cream pudding.
• It’s all about taking advantage of what’s cheap, easy – and of course delicious!
• Don’t forget to make room in the fridge for all of that festive fare! In the weeks leading up to Christmas, eat up everything already in your fridge and freezer. This saves time and money on grocery shopping, avoids waste and frees up precious space for all of your Christmas food without needing to throw anything away!

Don’t make Christmas harder than it needs to be

• Remember, as the chef and host, you still want to be able to enjoy Christmas Day! Don’t stress yourself out by trying to be the next Curtis Stone or Jamie Oliver – stick with fuss-free recipes you’re confident with. These traditional Christmas recipes should do the trick.
• Consider this easy Christmas turkey or fuss-free roast pork. Paired with some sides such as crunchy roast potatoes, green beans with almonds and lemon and a Christmas coleslaw – you’ve got lunch covered!
• Here’s some more cheap and cheerful Christmas cooking ideas, and you’ll also find loads of inspiration here.
• Keep things simple. Buy frozen croissants and serve them with fresh fruit for breakfast. Have a cold lunch which can be prepared the day before – we love this sliced leg ham with mango, avocado and chilli salsa.
• Make up your Christmas salads and sides in the morning so that you’re free to sit and relax together with your family and guests at lunchtime instead of stressing out in the kitchen.
• Make your Christmas cake or Christmas pudding or even Christmas pudding icecream in advance.
• Delegate! Share the workload and cost by asking family and guests to bring a dish or some key ingredients.

Remember to save room for dessert!

• If you’ve got time – and a bit of spare cash – to make your own beautiful Christmas pudding, here’s a lovely recipe.
• But a word of caution – making your own pudding can be expensive. Most supermarkets offer some pretty yummy and reasonably priced puddings nowadays. For a more budget-friendly (and time-saving) option, check out this handy guide to store-bought Christmas puddings.
• Why not make your own family Christmas cake – try this quick and easy 3 ingredient recipe.
• If you’re after a modern take on the traditional fruit pudding, cool off with this delicious rocky road ice cream pudding instead – yum! Or check out this festive choc honeycomb ice cream cake.
• Who doesn’t love a good trifle? Here’s a yummy and easy Christmas trifle recipe.
• One of the hottest Christmas dessert trends is a pavlova wreath, decorated with gorgeous fresh berries for a festive look. You could try your hand at making your own with this recipe, or why not go fuss-free and buy a readymade one from Coles – easy!
• Need more inspiration? Check out these easy Christmas desserts.

Kids in the kitchen

Get into the Christmas spirit and keep the kids entertained these holidays by creating some Christmas treats together. It’s a great way for the kids to practice skills like following a recipe, measuring and weighing, as well as exercising their creativity.

• From gorgeous little Santa strawberries, brownie hats and snowman marshmallow pops, easy-peasy Christmas Royals and fruity Mini Grinches through to these adorable reindeer cupcakes, there’s no end to the festive treats the kids can whip up.
• We love these yummy little surprise choc mint balls – and we guarantee the kids will too – making as well as eating them!
• See here for lots of other kids Christmas cooking ideas.
• And don’t forget Santa’s reindeers! Rudolph and his pals will love this magic reindeer food almost as much as you and the kids will enjoy making and scattering it for them!

Thrifty ways with Christmas leftovers

Christmas food is the gift that usually keeps on giving for a few days afterwards! Here’s some ideas for those Christmas leftovers.

• Roast pork or turkey leftovers? Turn them into these tasty and easy tacos.
• Use leftover ham, potatoes and other vegies to make crumbed croquettes the kids will love.
• Just add puff pastry to turn cheese platter leftovers into tasty cheese pastizzi.
• Transform leftover stuffing and cranberry sauce into yummy burgers the whole family will love.
• Turn all of those broken pavlova pieces into a tasty eton mess dessert.

You’ll find lots more Christmas leftovers recipes here, here and here!