Iceland's £26 Christmas dinner alternative is perfect if you're ditching turkey

This year why not ditch the turkey for something a bit more special - and save yourself a lot of hard work in the kitchen, with Iceland's ready-made alternative

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I consider myself fortunate as my husband takes on the task of preparing Christmas dinner at our home , and he does a splendid job. However, it's a significant undertaking, particularly ensuring the turkey is cooked to perfection, which requires time, attention and patience. This led me to ponder whether it might be time for a change, a year where my husband can present a magnificent roast without the need for constant basting.

And it seems frozen food experts Iceland may have just the solution. As part of their deluxe Christmas selection, Iceland will be offering their 'Luxury Perfect Beef Wellington', complete with pork and mushroom stuffing encased in all-butter puff pastry. It claims to serve six and is priced at £26, but is it worth the investment? After thawing in the refrigerator overnight, the Wellington requires no additional preparation (except an optional egg wash) and is straightforward to cook - simply place it in the oven.



We usually flip items halfway through cooking in our oven, as not all ovens are created equal and nobody wants a soggy bottom. While the Wellington is cooking, you can utilise this time to prepare vegetables and gravy, or any other accompaniments you prefer. I must admit, the aroma while it was cooking was delightful, and the adorable pastry stars added a charming festive touch, reports the Mirror .

Removing it from the oven and slicing it felt quite ceremonious, and it's easy to envision this taking the place of the traditional turkey on December 25. For £26, you get a generous amount of meat in this dish, which I believe serves six. However, for those who prefer more meat, this is the ideal opportunity to include some of Iceland's air fryer-friendly pigs in blankets, which are ready in 14 minutes and taste divine.

The combination of crispy, salty bacon and juicy sausages creates a delightful umami flavour. These would be an excellent addition to any Christmas Day feast, Boxing Day buffet, or perhaps as a pre-Christmas snack - possibly even later this week. The knife effortlessly cuts through the Wellington's meat, revealing a perfectly pink interior.

We may have overcooked ours slightly, resulting in medium-well ends, so bear that in mind. But this minor issue doesn't detract from the overall deliciousness of this showstopper. The buttery pastry's crunch, combined with the melt-in-your-mouth beef, is sublime.

However, the standout element for me is the pork and mushroom stuffing - its depth of flavour is astounding. There's plenty of it too, ensuring each bite is a flavour sensation. I'd buy this stuffing just to enjoy with all my meals over the festive period - I can't stop thinking about it.

I wholeheartedly recommend Iceland's restaurant-quality beef Wellington as a fantastic meal option for Boxing Day when you want to impress your guests without having to cook again. If you're considering buying the 'Luxury Perfect Beef Wellington' ahead of time, ensure you have enough fridge space a day prior to cooking it as it requires a 12-hour defrost in the fridge. However, it's certainly worth the effort, with the only downside being the lack of leftovers.

The 'Luxury Perfect Beef Wellington' can be purchased for £26 and the air fryer-friendly 12-pack of pigs in blankets for £2.25 at Iceland. These, along with the rest of their Christmas range, will be available in stores and online from November 12.

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