Christmas on a Shoestring: Checklist

With the rising cost of Christmas lunch, don't waste money by buying ingredients you already have.

These lists are a guide based on our research using the nearest pack size available at the time.

It may be that you find some better suited pack sizes or that you know that you will use more of some ingredients in your cooking and therefore find that it is beneficial to buy a larger quantity which, can be better value overall. We have also prepared you a list of ingredients with the weights that you actually need, for the 3-course lunch menu, so you can tick off the ones that you may already have.

CHRISTMAS LUNCH MENU CHECKLIST

Store cupboard
140g self-raising flour
90g plain flour
¾ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground mixed spice
1 whole nutmeg
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon Marigold Vegetable Bouillon
Salt and pepper
60ml Black Treacle
40g golden caster sugar (or any sugar you have)
110g currants
15g Hazelnuts (Roasted) or almonds or pecans
300g luxury Mincemeat (or 300g homemade)
200g Jar cranberry sauce
2 tablespoon groundnut oil (or any flavourless cooking oil)

Alcohol 
Brandy (30ml if you are going to flame the puddings and a little more if you are reheating them on the day)
300ml Red wine
110ml Guinness or Stout
50ml Port
70ml Dark Rum

Meat and Fish 
2 x 700g – 800g fresh turkey drumsticks
450g Sausagemeat
250g pack sliced smoked streaky bacon
200g smoked salmon slices (a value or promotion pack)

Fruit 
1 small Bramley apple (need 60g)
1 small orange
1 small lemon
18 cranberries to decorate (Optional)

Dairy 
5 medium eggs
150g butter (includes butter for greasing and a little for the sprouts)
400ml whole milk
110ml double cream
300ml tub crème fraȋche (preferably French)
Lard or fat for roast potatoes and parsnips
40g fresh white breadcrumbs or white bread to make crumbs

Vegetables 
1.75kg Desiree potatoes (or a 2.5kg pre-pack)
1.35kg parsnips
350g Brussels sprouts (or button sprouts are nicer if the price is good)
200g or 1 pack fresh chestnuts (whatever is cheaper)
450g shallots
1 medium onion
2 cloves garlic
1 packet fresh dill
1 packet fresh sage
1 packet fresh thyme

Remember – Delia’s kitchen tablespoon is 20mls or 2 dessertspoons

CHRISTMAS LUNCH MENU…Including homemade MINCEMEAT, MINCE PIES AND the CAKE

Store cupboard
315g self-raising flour
340g plain flour (plus a little for rolling)
75g shredded suet
¾ teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoon ground mixed spice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 - 3 whole nutmegs
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon Marigold Vegetable Bouillon
Salt and pepper
60ml Black Treacle
40g golden castor sugar (or any sugar you have)
250g soft dark brown sugar
450g currants
675g raisins
250g sultanas
165g whole candied peel (or good quality chopped is this isn’t available)
15g Hazelnuts (Roasted) or almonds or pecans
35g whole almonds 
200g Jar cranberry sauce
2 tablespoon groundnut oil (or any flavourless cooking oil)

Alcohol 
100ml Brandy (plus 30ml if you are going to flame the puddings and a little more if you are reheating them on the day)
300ml Red wine
110ml Guinness or Stout
130ml Port
70ml Dark Rum

Meat and Fish 
2 x 700g – 800g fresh turkey drumsticks
450g Sausagemeat
250g pack sliced smoked streaky bacon
200g smoked salmon slices (a value or promotion pack)

Fruit 
1 Bramley apple (need 150g)
2 large oranges
2 large lemons
18 cranberries to decorate (Optional)

Dairy 
9 medium eggs
385g butter (includes butter for greasing and a little for the sprouts)
400ml whole milk
110ml double cream
300ml tub crème fraȋche (preferably French)
150g lard
40g fresh white breadcrumbs or white bread to make crumbs

Vegetables 
1.75kg Desiree potatoes (or a 2.5kg pre-pack)
1.35kg parsnips
350g Brussels sprouts (or button sprouts are nicer if the price is good)
200g or 1 pack fresh chestnuts (whatever is cheaper)
450g shallots
1 medium onion
2 cloves garlic
1 packet fresh dill
1 packet fresh sage
1 packet fresh thyme

Remember – Delia’s kitchen tablespoon is 20mls or 2 dessertspoons

Christmas on a Shoestring: Menu
Christmas on a Shoestring: Before Christmas
Christmas on a Shoestring: Christmas Eve
Christmas Lunch on a Shoestring: Christmas Day

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