This is Pointless Debate, where we argue the toss about stuff that really doesn’t matter, but actually really matters a lot. This time we’re squabbling about…
Yorkshire puddings: do they belong in a Christmas dinner?
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, which also means it’s beginning to look a lot like an untimely death due to clogged arteries. We’re all looking forward to stuffing our faces with roast potatoes, various meats and a token sprout or two, but there’s one item on the Christmas Day menu that’s a little more contentious than the rest: Yorkshires.
No one’s going to say they don’t like Yorkshire puddings (it is, after all, a criminal offence), but there are some who beleive that the roast dinner favourite should never be found alongside a proper Christmas dinner. There are others who say ‘Humbug!’ to all that and help themselves to a few Yorkshires on the 25th.
So which side of the table will you be on when Christmas Day rolls around? Before we get to the votes, let’s consider the arguments.
The argument in favour of having Yorkshire puddings with Christmas dinner
Photo: @TheOldCs
Why the fuck wouldn’t you have Yorkshire puddings with Christmas dinner? You should have Yorkshire puddings at any and every available opportunity. Yorkshire puddings for breakfast. Yorkshire puddings for lunch. Yorkshire puddings for tea. Yorkshire puddings all the time.
Yorkshires have a strong case for being the best part of a roast dinner, with the exception perhaps of pigs in blankets, so why would you leave it out of the king of all roast dinners, the Christmas dinner? This is a meal of indulgence, and if there’s one day when you should be free to eat baked batter without shame, it’s Christmas Day.
There’s no logical reason not to have a Yorkshire with your Christmas dinner; in fact, the meal is not complete without one. So whether you’re making your own or letting Aunt Bessie take care of it, make sure there’s a Yorkshire sat on your plate this Christmas.
The argument against having Yorkshire puddings with Christmas dinner
Photo: Accuruss
Christmas is a time for wholesomeness, a time for purity of spirit, a time for tradition. In fact, there is no other time of year where tradition is so fastidiously observed as Christmas. And that is why there should never be a Yorkshire pudding sat next to a turkey dinner.
Why? It’s simple. Traditionally, Yorkshire puddings are served with roast beef dinners. If you’re having turkey on Christmas day, as is traditional, you should not be having Yorkshire puddings. Yorkshires were made to be enjoyed with beef gravy, and it is a heavenly combination, but with poultry? No, no.
Besides, you’ve already got roast potatoes, stuffing and bread sauce to contend with – carbs are great, but there is a limit. Just as there was no room at the inn for Jesus, Mary and Joseph, there is no room on the plate for the Yorkshire.
Only you can settle this, so which side are you on? Let us know in the Facebook comments
Feature: Sam Greenhalgh / Ruth Hartnup
