Why have Beef Wellington for Christmas?
Why have Beef Wellington for Christmas
Beef Wellington is a brilliant option to have for the Christmas meal and this blog will tell you why. Many people are intimidated by the prospect of having to prepare a Beef Wellington, especially over the Christmas period when there’s often so much to plan. However, this extra effort is rewarded in the form of a stunning centrepiece that you’ll be sure to remember each year. Plus, this preparation can be avoided altogether with the help of The Village Butchers.
History of the Beef Wellington
Beef Wellington might possibly be the dish that is most often associated with Britishness. While this is in part due to the dish’s deep flavours and stunning appearance, it is also due to its extensive history. The consensus is that Beef Wellington is a dish that was created following victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Specifically, it was intended to celebrate the victory of the first Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley.
The dish in the modern day has seldomly deviated from its traditional ingredients. A Beef Wellington features a whole beef fillet cut wrapped in mushroom duxelles, prosciutto, and puff pastry.
Reasons for choosing Beef Wellington at Christmas
A Christmas Beef Wellington is an amazing centrepiece that is sure to leave a lasting impression on guests. Our minds often immediately go to Turkey or Gammon in the lead up to Christmas. However, choosing a beef cut not only offers variety to the holiday, it serves as a way to incorporate a variety of delicious flavours to your Christmas meal in one dish. Beef Wellington also has the following qualities that can place it above other Christmas meat option.
Creates a sense of luxury
Ever since it was created, Beef Wellington has had a reputation as a luxury dish that should be reserved for special occasions. This is a major factor that led to its rise in popularity during the 1900’s, especially among the elite. It therefore seems strange that Beef Wellington has not traditionally been considered for Christmas dinner. Its reputation as a dish reserved for ‘fancy’ parties allows it to add flair and extravagance to your Christmas meal.
Adds to the special atmosphere
Food and drink is the main indulgence when it comes to Christmas, so it’s important that the main dish of the event has the wow factor. The golden brown pastry on the outside of the wellington, coupled with the theatricality of revealing the blushing interior, creates a sense of spectacle that can’t often be matched.
Easy preparation
The Village Butchers’ Fillet of Beef Wellington is handmade and comes fully prepared, meaning you have more time for festivities on Christmas day itself. Simply place the frozen Wellington in the freezer for when it is needed. Although it’s important to note that it will need thorough defrosting before it can be baked. What’s more, both our 1.4kg and 2kg Beef Wellingtons come with a sumptuous red wine jus as the perfect sauce accompaniment.
Shop Christmas meats online
Head over to The Village Butcher’s Christmas Beef section to shop our full range of Christmas beef cuts. We can deliver everything you need for the big day well in advance, so you won’t be rushing last minute. That’s the beauty of an online butchers like us. If that wasn’t enough, we also stock all the popular Christmas meats our customers might need, complete with the convenient option of Christmas meat hampers. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.