Christmas Menu: 4 Ways to Pair Catered Dishes with Homemade Favourites

04•11•2026

Love cooking for the holidays, but would welcome a little help with the meal? Perhaps you’d like to prepare the sides and leave the main course to a caterer. Or keep your favourite family recipe on the menu and choose a ready-made appetizer and dessert.  
 
The à la carte dishes from Robert Alexis Traiteur let you create a menu that feels like your own. Here are four ways to pair them with simple homemade dishes, from a traditional Christmas dinner to a holiday brunch.

A Christmas Dinner Built Around the Classics

Tourtière and meatball stew are right at home on a holiday table. A few vegetables and a crisp salad are all you need to round out the meal.

From our à la carte menu:
• Traditional veal and pork tourtière with fruit chutney
• Spiced meatball stew with finely diced vegetables and fresh herbs.

To make at home:
Mashed potatoes, oven-roasted carrots, and a salad of shredded cabbage, apple and parsley. For the dressing, simply whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar and a touch of Dijon mustard.

The fresh, crisp salad balances these hearty dishes beautifully. Have some pickled beets or homemade pickles on hand? Place them in the centre of the table for everyone to share.

A Christmas Eve Dinner Featuring Beef Wellington

For Christmas Eve dinner, beef Wellington sets the tone. With its puff pastry, morel mushroom duxelles and Bordelaise sauce, it needs only a few simple sides.

From our à la carte menu:
• Foie gras terrine with maple fig jam and house-made brioche.
• Angus Prime beef tenderloin Wellington with Western Canadian morel mushroom duxelles and Bordelaise sauce.
• Québec raspberry log with olive oil and lemon sponge cake.

To make at home:
A green vegetable, such as buttered green beans with lemon zest, alongside a celeriac and potato purée. Make the purée ahead of time to keep last-minute preparations to a minimum.

Serve the foie gras as a small starter, then let the Wellington take centre stage.

Good to know
Our beef Wellington serves four, is priced at $195 and is available exclusively on December 24.

A Holiday Cocktail Spread to Share

For a gathering over drinks, put together a spread that lets everyone sample a little of everything. Homemade additions bring freshness and complement the more elaborate bites.

From our à la carte menu:
• A box of 24 canapés in four varieties: black olive and truffle oil arancini, mini polenta casseroles, lime and coconut shrimp, and five-spice duck in crisp filo pastry
• Our house-smoked salmon or salmon gravlax, served with crostini and caper sour cream.
• A selection of fine local cheeses with ice cider–poached pear, bitter orange marmalade, roasted nuts and fine crackers.

To make at home:
A yogurt, lemon and fresh herb dip, served with cucumbers, endive leaves and radishes. Add a bowl of olives tossed with orange zest.

Arrange everything on a few serving platters within easy reach. This menu works well for festive drinks and light bites; if your gathering extends into mealtime, plan a few additional dishes.

A Brunch Between Christmas and New Year’s

Holiday gatherings are just as lovely late in the morning. Brunch brings the family together over a few savoury dishes and a sweet finish.

From our à la carte menu:
• Smoked salmon or gravlax with crostini and caper sour cream.
• Traditional veal and pork tourtière with fruit chutney.
• Dark chocolate and caramel Yule log with milk chocolate mousse and cocoa shortbread.

To make at home:
Scrambled eggs with chives and a mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette. Add a platter of oranges and clementines to complete the spread.

Prepare the eggs just before serving and set out the remaining dishes for everyone to share. All that’s left is to pour the coffee and enjoy some time together.

Which Dishes Should You Leave to the Caterer?

Start with dishes that take the most work or that you rarely make yourself, such as foie gras terrine, beef Wellington or a Yule log.

Then keep one or two homemade recipes you enjoy preparing. A salad, roasted vegetables or your favourite mashed potatoes are all it takes to give the meal a personal touch.

Explore our holiday menu and à la carte dishes, and place your order today.