How to Create a Christmas Lunch or Dinner Menu Without Breaking the Bank
- Written by Lyndey Milan
Christmas is a time for celebration and invariably revolves around food. While we all want to indulge in a delicious spread, it’s easy for the grocery bill to skyrocket. Thankfully, shopping at Paddy’s Markets can help you create a festive Christmas feast while keeping costs down. Packed with fresh produce and myriad ingredients, there are a range of affordable options to make your menu special.
Think Seasonal
The simplest and easiest way to reduce costs is by using seasonal produce; it’s fresher, tastes better and costs less. Shopping at Paddy’s Flemington or Haymarket’s fresh food market makes sense – produce has not been in cold storage as it can be in supermarkets. Why not buy a tray of mangoes or peaches. Mangoes are wonderful in daquiris, non-alcoholic cocktails or on pavlova and slices and freezes well. Or make sorbets. If you are cooking for a crowd visit Paddy’s Flemington on a Saturday for its range, variety and competitive prices for produce from the Sydney basin farmers.
Vegetables are better priced and can be bought in preferred quantities, not in pre-packaged plastic bags. You can also compare different stall holders. BBQ or roast up a medley of root vegetables like carrot, sweet potatoes, parsnips, and pumpkin. They caramelize beautifully and can be enjoyed hot as a vegetable or cold as a salad.
To plan or not to plan?
Planning your menu in advance is a good way to prevent impulse buying. However, then you can’t be spontaneous if you see something amazing which is incredibly well priced like a whole box of cherries for less than only a kilo in the supermarket.
Cherries are so festive and wonderful on the Christmas table or pickled for gifts, as a relish or sauce. Best to have a rough idea of what you need – or at least what type of meals or events you need to shop for and how many people. Either way, set yourself a budget.
Shop Ahead
Perishable foods need to be bought closer to Christmas but there are plenty of things you can stock up on earlier to lighten the load. Think root vegetables, nuts, olives, pickles, relishes, ham, cured meats, sauces, mustards, oil and table decorations. Also consider what increases in price just before Christmas – drinks, lemons, frozen seafood and the like. Use your freezer if you have space. By buying ahead you are also staggering your spending.
For perishables, you could visit Paddy’s Haymarket the Sunday before Christmas Eve from 10am to 6pm as you may well get some bargains as the markets are closed on Christmas Day, but open on Boxing Day.
Cook Ahead
Cooking for yourself and not buying pre-prepared food is always a wise budget choice. It’s not too late to make an easy Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, mince pies or frozen dessert.
Pavlovas are not expensive to make, simply finish on the day with whipped cream and well-priced fruit like berries, kiwi or passionfruit. Make a trifle with sponge cake, jelly and layer it with seasonal fruits like cherries, berries, or mango.
It's a great way to use up leftover fruit and even stale cake.
Change it Up
Look at the recipes on the Paddy’s website for recipe videos for inspiration. Or go to one of their free live cooking demonstrations. Download the recipe. There’s even a roaming Santa, Elf with Candy Canes, Christmas Fairy with Christmas Tattoos & Glitter, balloon twisting and music.
Think about substituting. A whole roast chicken can be just as impressive as a turkey but much more affordable. Make a butter with fresh herbs, garlic, mustard and a bit of lemon, push it under the skin then roast to golden perfection. Rest it breast-side down to keep it moist.
Pork belly is a festive option that’s both economical and delicious. Stuff it with apples, onions, and herbs and roast until the skin crisps up beautifully. Or cook as is in the airfryer – a foolproof way to get great crackling. Serve with roasted vegetables and apples for a Christmas meal that feels luxurious but doesn’t cost a fortune. Vegetarians will love a spiced whole roast cauliflower and interesting salads.
The best thing about shopping at Paddy’s Markets? The experience is enjoyable as well as the outcome.