A Proper Manx Christmas Dinner

With Christmas less than two weeks away we can now join in the ancient tradition of arguing over what will be for dinner on the big day.

Turkey, beef, lamb or ham? I for one am a very big advocate for beef. I don’t like turkey, nor do I particularly enjoy pigs in blankets (sorry not sorry).

I just love my mum’s roast potatoes, her gravy, her cauliflower cheese and most of all her Yorkshire puddings.

Ham however has some what grown on me, but when if I’m honest it still isn’t a massive contender.

Lamb is my Grandma’s favourite, but again I can take it or leave it

The big debate for me is between a roast beef or a beef wellington.

Love both and, like anything I love, I make a good old fashioned pros and cons list.

The Big Beef Debate

Pros of Beef Wellington: It’s a nice variation on a dish. Serves many, stretches the meat you have a bit farther, adds complexity of flavours, a nice presentation element which can make one feel like Nigella, plus it is absolutely delicious.

Cons of Beef Wellington: Cooking Beef Wellington is a bit challenging due to the combination of various components–beef, mushroom duxelles, prosciutto, and puff pastry–and the precision required in each step to achieve a perfectly cooked and well-balanced dish, all in all reminding me I am not Nigella.

Pros of Roast Beef: Cooks the meat more evenly and makes it super juicy, whilst also being a healthy method and you can have beef sandwiches for DAYS.

Cons of Roast Beef: It’s not beef wellington is it.

Your Christmas Dinner

Whether you want to join in my internal battle between Roast Beef or Beef Wellington, I don’t mind. But what I can do is gauge you in the right direction for where to get the ingredients for your meal of choice.

Fancy lamb? Get yourself a Manx Loaghtan and why not treat yourself with a Fynoderee Sloe Gin Sauce.

Beef? Andreas Meats have you SORTED. Pick any kind; Sirloin, Rump or Ribeye – go wild.

Turkey? This is something I’d let my dad have entire control over as he loves to preorder a turkey. My suggestion? Get to your local butchers and beg and plead for them to set one aside for you.

We are spoilt rotten with local butchers on the island, so make sure you use them!

Side Dishes

For all your veggie needs Bry Rad and Robinson’s have you covered.

Bry Rad’s fresh veg shed is open every Saturday on Ramsey quayside, which has easy parking and is super accessible.

For your roasties make sure you sprinkle them with the delicious IOM Salt.

Honey glazed carrots, we have a few strong contenders as to where to buy your local Manx honey.

And of course no Christmas dinner is complete without a cheese board and luckily for us, Isle of Man Creamery can spoil us rotten with some world class cheddars, and a Smokey Sam sauce for extra yummas.

BREAD. ALL THE BREAD. You can also enjoy Manx cheese, butter and chutney on a slice of Manx bread thanks to Noa.

Decoration

You have your food sorted, but now you will use the cutlery that your Mum has set aside for ‘best occasions’ ONLY.

I’m far too lazy to have two sets of cutlery and place mats, and really don’t see the point.. yet.

Maybe when I get to certain age that part of me will develop, but it hasn’t yet.

Now if you are sat there going through the transition to ‘best occasion’ cutlery, go into Butler’s Choice and celebrate being an official adult.

The most important decoration on the Christmas table? Crackers. It isn’t Christmas until you start wrestling with your brother over who really is the boss in the sibling dynamic.

You can fight dirty in the whilst participating in the intense cracker pulling contest, and I’d strongly encourage this.

You can get your Manx Christmas Crackers from none other than The Manx Tartan Shop.

Local Christmas Dinner

With shop owners and staff all going the extra mile, you should think local first this Christmas.

Supporting our local producers not only strengthens our community, but it also adds something truly special to your celebrations.

You might be surprised at how much your loved ones enjoy discovering the delicious treats made right here on our lovely little island.

You can head over to Isle of Man Food and Drink to find more Manx festive food and drink ideas.

Credit: Article was written by Charlie Morrey, Manx.news.