Sponsored by Aldi.
So you’re the Christmas host this year? Want to know how to host the best Christmas dinner to satisfy the fussy eaters, the back for third-ers and everyone in between? From the first bite to the last sip, from the staple must-haves to the alternative dishes, we’ve got you covered with Aldi’s Exquisite Collection. Bring on the Christmas food comas!
1. Always-On-The-Table Mince Pies
A never-ending supply of mince pies will satisfy those family members with bottomless stomachs who get peckish between courses. Mince pies get everyone in the Christmas spirit, and are small so they won’t ruin any appetites! The Exquisite Mince Pies from Aldi are a winner of the BBC Good Food Magazine’s Christmas Taste Test 2016, so you can’t go wrong with them.
2. Start Off With Seafood
Surprise your guests with a fresh and delicious seafood starter to kick off a fabulous feast. You could serce the Giant Black Tiger Prawns or the Scottish Smoked Salmon Canapes/Blinis with Cremant de Jura Sparkling Chardonnay. Or, for something for everyone, you can’t go wrong with a Fresh Seafood Platter.
3. Alternative Starters
For the guests who don’t usually go for seafood, your best bet is to pick up a delightful mixture of platters. Go for the delicious Premium Duck Selection, Mini Toad In The Holes or the British Sausage Plait.
4. Go Turkey Crazy
There are a range of fresh and amazing Christmas Turkeys on offer in different sizes to suit however many members of family are showing up at your door. The Fresh British Whole Turkey comes in a range of sizes while the Fresh British Free Range Bronze Turkey will have your guests drooling. For an alternative Turkey, Aldi has a delicious Stuffed Turkey Parcel with pork, sage, cranberry and orange stuffing with streaky bacon.
5. Turkey Wine Pairing
If you’re looking for the perfect wine to pair with your Christmas Turkey, this peachy white Limoux Chardonnay from Aldi’s Exquisite Collection will be the answer. Its rich buttery oak flavour compliments the bird seamlessly. Think wood smoked with a deliciously acidic edge.
6. Roasts At The Ready
At a large Christmas dinner table, a traditional roast is often required to accompany the turkey and feed those hungry bellies. From Beef to Lamb to Venison to Goose to Poussin, there's honestly no shortage of options at Aldi.
7. For The Vegetarians
The Vegetarians seated around your table deserve a scrumptious Christmas feast too! For their starter, treat the vegos to the delicious Vegetarian Wellingtons with a filling of mushroom, brie and cranberry, and bring out the Vegetarian Roast with apricots baked in goats cheese and seasoned vegetables for their main. Trust us, you'll be slapping away the hands of the meat-eaters!
8. Seasonal Sides
Add that wow-factor to your Christmas feast with some delicious seasonal sides. Get stuck in to these colourful delights from Aldi like the Red Cabbage with Ruby Port, Sprouts with Bacon and Chestnuts, Rainbow Vegetables with Herb Butter and Goose Fat Roast Potatoes.
9. Delectable Desserts
If you haven’t stuffed yourselves silly by dessert time, then you’re just not doing Christmas right. But, no matter how full your bellies are, there’s always room for pudding. If there’s a big bunch of you, we recommend bringing out a mix of Christmas-themed desserts so the whole family can indulge themselves, with Aldi's Exquisite Vintage Christmas Pudding, the Exquisite Christmas Cake and the Exquisite Yule Log.
10. Cheesy Chasers
After-dessert-cheeses will have those family members with never-ending appetites finally satisfied. A large range of blues, creamy cheeses and cheddars are on offer at Aldi, while we’ll be adding a few original touches to our cheese plates, a signature touch if you will, with the Handmade Extra Mature Crunchy Cheddar Truckle, the Handmade Mature Cheddar with Balsamic Infused Red Onion Truckle and the Long Clawson Blue Stilton Pot.
11. Wonderful Wine
How have we only just gotten to the wine? From greeting the guests, to toasting the turkey, to the final nightcap, you need to think about your drinking menu. But you want something reasonably priced. For an unmissable red, you have to go with a case of Aldi’s Argentinian Malbec, 2016, which has been named in the Which? Best Buys for Christmas 2016 for red wine. If white wine is more up your ally, a case from Aldi’s Exquisite Collection will have you sorted, while the Malborough Sauvignon Blanc is also a great buy. And if you’re after fizz, we’re loving Aldi’s Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut which is another Which? Best Buy for Christmas 2016. You can grab a case of six for £59.94. Such a Christmas treat!
For more Christmas inspiration, you can check out Aldi’s Christmas page here.
*Please drink responsibly. No one wants to look after a drunken person on Christmas day
