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Downsize your Christmas dinner

If you’re not expecting a huge crowd this year, try a scaled-down Christmas dinner menu instead. You’ll have more time to make merry

There’s a lot of satisfaction to be had from preparing and sharing a big Christmas dinner, but what about the time it takes, the mountain of pots and pans it requires and the leftovers congealing in the fridge afterwards? If you don’t have the time or inclination for a big production, if you’re a couple on your own or a young family just starting to create your own Christmas traditions, you can still make your day festive and full of good eats without spending most of it in the kitchen. Try these alternative menus.

Menu 1: Classic Christmas Dinner with a Twist
All the elements you love, presented in a modern way

• Cranberry fizz cocktail
• Smoked salmon tortilla wraps; German salami and slices of Serrano ham
• Pumpkin and chestnut soup
• Rolled turkey escalopes with sage stuffing
• Mashed potato and stir-fried Brussels sprouts
• Christmas pudding ice cream

Menu 2: Toss out the Turkey Simplicity
A four-course meal that can be accomplished in an afternoon

• Nutty herbed cream cheese salad with smoked salmon
• Duck breasts with cranberry salsa
• Individual root vegetable Rostis
• Sticky toffee puddings with caramel brandy sauce

Menu 1: Classic Christmas Dinner with a twist
This version of Christmas dinner has most of the usual components, just in a different form. And the great thing about the turkey dish is that you can make the stuffing and roll the escalope in advance, leaving them sitting happily in the fridge until about half an hour before lunchtime.

Breakfast

• Cranberry fizz (cranberry juice with chunks of orange and apple, and a splash of sparkling wine)
• Smoked salmon tortilla wraps; German salami and slices of Serrano ham

Lunch

• Pumpkin and chestnut soup
• Rolled turkey escalopes with sage stuffing
• Mashed potato and stir-fried Brussels sprouts
• Christmas pudding ice cream

RECIPES

Smoked salmon wraps
These can be made up to a day in advance. They add colour and richness to a simple selection of morning treats. Spread a wheat tortilla with cream cheese and cover with a layer of soft, green lettuce leaves (middle stem removed). Lay thinly sliced smoked salmon on top, squeeze over some lemon juice, sprinkle with some freshly chopped dill and season with salt and pepper. Roll up the tortillas like a big cigar and wrap with cling film, twisting the ends like a cracker. Place in the fridge to firm up until ready to slice and serve.

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