How to prepare an easy and cheap Christmas menu – Ideas and Tips
No doubt Christmas is the most special time of the year, however it is also the most expensive season. Although most people during this time receive more money, they also spend more or simply must pay outstanding debts, and these among other possible situations, cut the budget of the parties. But what to do in this situation? The ideal strategy to enjoy incredible parties does not exist, because it also depends on the situation of each one (economic, labor, personal, etc.). However, some tips are always useful that we can use from time to time or even incorporate them as a new personal tradition to get easy and economical Christmas dinners. The Christmas dinner summarizes the entire spirit of the season: the family reunion, the family reunion, the family reunion, the family reunion, between friends and acquaintances; The celebration and joy. The feeling of meeting with all the special beings of your life, around the table, is indescribable. For this reason, dinner is the peak of the December time. If you have little budget for the peak of the year, it is not an impediment to savor an exquisite dinner, but you only need imagination and a little planning. Here I leave you a few tips to save at Christmas dinner:- Anticipate is the key. Perform Christmas preparations with 6 months (minimum 6 maximum 11) in advance. Bring a plan and follow it. What does this benefit from? In many things, including the primordial … Save!
– Buy out of seasonal products. Non -perishable foods can be purchased 6 months in advance, gradually, in a plan to accumulate. Buy according to your purchasing capacity, one or two products per month will make a difference at the end of the year. This tip connects with the first since, if you buy before Christmas (some months before) you will find products at a lower price or you will get offers (2×1 and things like that). Always remember to review the expiration of food products.
– Take advantage of the sales from … January! Remember that those are the dates of the bargains, so it is ideal to take advantage of the moment. Thus, you can find very useful kitchen and pastry utensils in December.
– Prepare a special place to save things. Remember that if you do not properly keep food, they can be damaged, although the expiration date is far away. The ideal site to store must be a fresh place, without moisture, without direct light (preferably dark) and without nearby heat sources. Check product labels, to store it correctly, remember that each article has its particularities (temperature and others). If you have a good freezer or freezer, you can store some types of meat, even for 6 months. Remember that you must be very careful, since if for some reason the freezing process is broken, the meat can be damaged. If this happens, you don consume it because you could get intoxicated.
– Select seasonal offers. Loc the places with better offers, check, compare and buy. Visit at least 3 or 4 sites. Remember that as December 24 approaches prices. Buy something expensive? Of course, with what you save in the year acquiring what is necessary for the December time, you can give yourself some caps. If you want to acquire a fresh product that is only seen at that time, give yourself the taste.
– Replace ingredients with more economical ones. Choosing good quality ingredients does not imply that they are expensive. Be careful in the selection of the brands of lower price, and if you do not convince you any, replace the ingredient with another (inform yourself previously).- Prepare some exotic dish or a special recipe. If Infraganti already grabbed you the season do not panic, there are other strategies to get out of trouble with simple Christmas menus. The idea is not to buy the classic foods of the time. For example, if it is traditional in your country to eat pig, buy fish or other meat. An interesting idea is to prepare a Christmas dish from another country for example. Christmas culinary surprise. If you always wanted to cook any particular preparation, even if it is not especially Christmas, the time came. Enjoy the imagination and creativity of the time to also relax. So, while others compete for the products of the season and stress, you simply choose other food, waste tranquility and without the need to unbalance your economy. You can explore from vegetarian preparations, very old family recipes (or of a foreign ancestor), some preparation that you saw on television or internet (as in recipes), recipes of friends, preparations of famous chef or even some invention of you.
– Choose recipes with Christmas ingredients. There are conventional preparations that adapt perfectly to Christmas menus recipes. The secret? Select those that use Christmas ingredients: cinnamon, citrus fruits, red fruits, ginger, nuts, chocolate, plums, raisins, etc. For example: a ginger or tangerine cake, a Catalan cream cake, a back with red fruits sauce, or orange chops.
– Be creative with the canapés. Keeping animated and satisfied guests is very important, therefore you need to place enough snacks and drinks on the table. The diners should not arrive almost hungry to dinner, nor very full. There are many economic recipes that you can apply or even invent your own passion. What do you need? Look at recipes, make a list with the ones you like the most, check the pantry and finally go buy if necessary.
– The next day, prepare use recipes. Finally, after the celebration, prepare dishes with the rest of the dinner. There are delicious use recipes to continue surprising everyone, the next day. Prepared for old night?
Easy, fast and economical Christmas snacks
What keeps any celebration happy? Well apart from music … the snacks! To do them the important thing is the imagination since it is not necessary to spend a lot of money or complicate life. You can go to the supermarket, buy some tasty and economical things or simply use some products already available in your pantry. To check this theory, then I leave you a good easy and economical Christmas snack options, and you can place a good variety of these on your table. What begins the celebration December!
Dips or Pates
Dips or cream creams cannot be missing at your table. Even if you only put chopped bread, if you have a good variety of creams you resolved the night. Look at these creamy and tasty options, capable of pleaseing to the most complaining guests. In addition, they are very easy and quick to prepare. Investment? The one that dictates your creativity.- Dip of Bacon
– Tuna Dip
– Dip of cream cheese and basil
– Dip of black beans
– Arvas paste to spread
– Cream of artichokes to spread
– Chicken pate and unveiled herbs with Thermomix
– Higaditos pate with Thermomix
– Sardines pate in pickle
– Onion pate with thermomix
Rollitos
Ah, roll! Versatile, tasty, economical, creative, too easy to prepare and very presentable … They will never leave you badly! The flavors are so tasty and ingenious that you will keep the animated party.- Ham and asparagus rolls
– Spring rolls with rice wafers
– Berenjena rolls with cheese and honey
– veal vessel rolls
– Chicken bacon rolls
– Artichoke rolls with mold bread
– Bread rolls for hors doeuvres
– Mold bread rolls with ham
– Bread serpentines
– Chocolate rolls
Croquettes and fritters
The classic snacks of any celebration, have all the necessary attributes to find themselves on this list. These fried foods are juicy inside and crispy on the outside. Who can resist this economic canapé?- Cabrales cheese croquettes with apple sweet
– Potato croquettes with ground meat and cheese
– Sausage croquettes and cheese with Thermomix
– Morcilla croquettes with Thermomix
– Ham croquettes with Thermomix
– Turkey and apple croquettes
– Christmas fritters
– NATA CHRISTMAS BUÑUELOS
Other options
– Vegan sushi with mold bread
– Minced meat balls
– Mallorcan toast- Potato Latkes
– flamequins of mold bread
– Ham salty chocolates
– Salty Profiteroles stuffed with cheese
– Christmas salty cookies
– Chocolate Morcilla
– Wrapped asparagus of puff pastry
– Puff pastry cupcakes stuffed with ground meat
– Crispy patacones with sour cream
Easy Christmas Basks
Tickets are designed to prepare the stomach of diners before the main tasting. Generally, light preparations are served in very small portions, so you avoid filling the guests early. There are a wide variety of options, economical and very simple to prepare: creams, consommés, salads, etc. Which one do you like the most?
Creams, broths and consommed
Creams, broths and consommed are the ideal entrance, because of the light and digestible
– Brocoli cream with cheese
– Catalan Christmas broth
– Chicken soup
– Ave consommé for Christmas with Thermomix
Fish and seafood
Sea products are very attractive at Christmas, especially in certain cultures. In Spain, for example, it is customary to eat many shellfish on these dates, for this reason prices shoot. However, there are economic alternatives during this time, which you can consider: prawns, squid or some fish for example. What better way to start dinner? I invite you to review these economic and light recipes, ideal for a good incoming. Delicious and light!- Squids stuffed with cream cheese
– Peruvian ceviche with mango and fish
– Ajillo crab sticks
– Gambas and Surimi cocktail
– Gambas tortilla
Legumes and vegetables
Legumes and vegetables are an excellent alternative as an entrance are sauteed, in stew or stuffed; as long as it is in small portions. You don want to fill the guests early! The cost? Perfect for any pocket, and they also know exquisite, you just need a good recipe.- fried chickpeas with spinach
– Piquillos peppers full of meat
Salads
Another excellent option, light, digestive, economic and delicious. In addition, salads are easy to prepare, and it is time that you save yourself to prepare other dishes.- Christmas carrot salad
– Spinach salad with strawberries and goat cheese
– Mandarin and almond salad
– Apple salad, lettuce and nuts
– Homemade Russian Salad
Terrines
Terrine is a dish that has many versions. They are usually prepared based on mixed meats, however there are versions with fish, chicken, seafood and even vegetables. This preparation is perfect as a cold incoming, accompanied by onions in vinegar, agria, pickles, or terrine sauce among others. The best of all? This incoming is very economical and easy to prepare.- Baked vegetable terrines
Main dishes pair Christmas very accessible
The stellar moment of the night! The diners sitting around the table, anxious and curious to discover the main dish, expect a memorable meal. Is it possible to cover the expectations of those present with low budget? Well … Of course! You can select from a wide range of options, so varied and exquisite that it will cost you to decide for some especially. What will be chosen for this Christmas?
Pork
One of the most traditional Christmas meats around the world. Although it can rise in price, depending on the country, you can always get offers, depending on the part of the pig you choose. I suggest some options quite easy to prepare and with a tight budget. Without losing the Christmas style!- Pork Sirloin to Coñac
– Pork Sirloin with caramelized onion
– Apple stuffed sirloin
– Pork chops in easy sauce
– Pork chops in chipotle sauce
– Baked potato ribs
Red meats
Although red meat shines less in the December time, there are several traditional recipes of the time that use them (roasted black, meat roller, etc.). For this reason, the price of certain cuts usually rises a lot. However, there are delicious, not as common and that they agree perfectly with the time. For sample, several buttons. Put Christmas imagination!- Meat Buddine
– Meat and potato tortilla cake
– Gratin meat cake
– Puff pastry stuffed with minced meat
– Minced meat roll filled with vegetables
– Potatoes stuffed with meat
FishEating fish, as a main dish at Christmas, is very elegant and tasty. In addition, depending on the country and the type of fish, it can be very economical. For example, if in your country they eat pig at the holidays, kitchen fish. It is likely that you even find some expensive fish on offer, for selling out of season.- Fish with onion and peppers
– Fish in coconut sauce and curry
Chicken
At Christmas, the traditional corral bird for dinner is turkey; However, chicken is an economic and tasty alternative. For this reason, here I leave you several master recipes, which make the most of the taste of this magnificent white meat.- Curry chicken with white rice
– Rice with chicken and pineapple
– bittersweet chicken with panela
– Chicken chicken in Christmas punch sauce – step by step
Garrons for Christmas and Economic Accompanies
An easy, fast and economical Christmas menu is not complete without a tasty garnish. The companions balance the Christmas dinner, providing contrast of flavors, textures, compensation of missing nutritional elements in the main course and contribute to a better digestion, if of course you combine them properly.
Salads
An excellent option to complement the main dish. Depending on how many companions colors and the forcefulness of the central dish, you must choose the type of salad. Also considers the contrast of flavors.- Christmas salad of sweet beet or cooked beet
– Glazed carrots with honey
– Lettuce salad with bittersweet vinaigrette
– bittersweet salad with apple
Potatoes
The potatoes are a classic companion of any food, they produce satiety, they can prepare in a thousand ways, they know exquisite and are … very economical!- Baked potatoes with rosemary
– Baked potatoes with paprika and garlic
– Baked potatoes with chickpea sauce
– Crispy baked potatoes
Others
– Baked white asparagus
– Kale sauteed with garlic and onion
Easy and economical Christmas desserts
Biscuits and cakes
Who doesn like a cake at Christmas? This dessert is perfect in this season, since it is neutral, from there its versatility arises. The secret lies in giving that typical touch of the time with the ingredients and decoration. Select recipes with cinnamon, orange, tangerine, chocolate, ginger, forest fruits, etc. A versatile sweet, easy to make and that requires little investment. It smells like Christmas!- Apple sponge cake, cinnamon and raisins
– Honey and cinnamon cake
– Cabanos sponge cake
– Mandarin Buddine in blender
– Orange cake and cheese mascarpone
– Chocolate Mantecada
Cakes
The cakes, another magnificent alternative as versatile as a cake. The only difference? If you have no oven or you need to bake many things, you can prepare a cold cake. The decoration? Pure Christmas inspiration!- Panna Cotta cake
– Chocolate and orange tart
– Raspberry and cream cheese cake
truffles
An economic dessert and very easy to prepare, you can even prepare it next to the kids.- Oreo truffles
– Truffes with Thermomix
– Condensated milk chocolate truffles with Thermomix
Nougat
A typical dessert of the December era, its preparation is easier than it seems and the investment is reasonable. In addition, nothing more Christmas than to prepare your own nougat.- Chocolate nougat with almonds
– Homemade nougat with chocolate
– Chocolate nougat and cinnamon cookies
Flan and cheese
Flanes cannot be missing in any celebration and less at Christmas. In addition, this dessert is very economical, delicious, versatile, fast and easy to prepare. This dessert has many variations with magnificent flavors: chocolate, guava, guanábana, etc. Choose the fruit that is more accessible, in the place you live. Which one do you prefer?- Nougat flan and toasted yolk
– Home cottage clock
– Guayaba flan without oven
– Guanábana flan without oven
– Oven chocolate flan
– Maria cookie flan with or without oven
– Parking cheese
– Mango cheese
Mazapanes
Another Christmas classic that almost everyone likes. Although nuts can be somewhat expensive, there are some cheaper types than others. The preparation? Believe it, nothing complicated. In addition, they are a magnificent alternative to give away.- Mazapán de Toledo
– Peanut Mazapan
Cupin desserts
If you have a very tight budget, this option is indicated for you. When choosing the desserts in cups, you can prepare only the portions you need, depending on the number of guests. In addition, they do not need an oven and are … very easy to make!- Tyramisu cups without egg
– Lemon cake in cups
– Yogurt cups with apple
– Oreo cups
Sweet
Another very economical and delicious alternative. Sweets are easily prepared, ingredients are usually very economical and their flavors like everyone. In addition, they impregnate the house of a delicious smell that inspires the spirit of the season.- sweet sweet potato, pineapple and coconut
– Rice with sweet coconut with paper
– Venezuelan milky sweet
– Mature papaya sweet
MOUSSE
Elegant, creamy and very tasty Who can resist Mousse? Another dessert that can be served in a glass or dessert glasses. Although his name imposes, preparing it does not imply much fuss and is not a commitment to your pocket. Do you dare to prepare this delight at Christmas?- Mousse de Chocolate with coconut milk
– Mousse of homemade and simple patchite
– Peach Mousse
– Eggless mango mousse
Economic Christmas drinks
The toast season par excellence is the December time. People are cheerful, good -natured and eager to share. Who said that to provide you have to waste? Here is several alternatives (with and without alcohol) very tasteful and economical, to enjoy in moderation and a lot of joy … Health!
Liquors
Elaborate homemade liquor is very easy and economical. When you prepare the first, you will be so fascinated that you will include it within your Christmas traditions. Surprise everyone!- Homemade mandarin liquor
– Homemade Moras Liquor
Ponches
The strikeouts are the traditional Christmas drink, in many countries. Be the fruit punch or egg punch (cream punch), no one is indifferent to its flavor. The cream punch has many names, as well as forms of preparation and ingredients, but they all share much in common. Both fruit punch and egg punch can be prepared with alcohol or without alcohol. A perfect gift!- Homemade coffee break
– Christmas fruit punch
– Christmas egg punch
– Homemade coffee punch
– Beer punch
Other alcohol drinks
– Colombian candelazo
– Sangria de Cava Homemade
Other alcohol -free drinks
– Chocolate with pepper
– Guava atole
– Maria Cookie Atole
List@ for cooking?
How you could see there are exquisite and unincitiated dishes, designed for the most important evening of the year. This Christmas season is already just around the corner, so every forecast is little. Everything matters from selecting the best products in the store (at the best prices), food preparation, how to serve them (placed) and table decoration. I assure you that you do not need great luxuries, to surprise your loved ones very pleasantly. What meals would you add to the list? We hope that this article about how to make a Christmas menu, easy, fast and economical to help you get it.