Can we create a three course coronation meal fit for a King from the likes of Asda and Tesco on a budget?

It’s been quite hard to miss retailers trundling out all the union jacks and party supplies as we edge closer to the crowning of King Charles III in just over a week; and for those lucky enough to organise coronation street parties without having to get planning permission from your local council, count yourselves lucky.

Food seems to be taking centre stage when it comes to supermarkets cashing in on the historic affair, with Aldi reigniting their feud with M&S regarding Cuthbert and Colin, their caterpillar shaped cake that created a cause celebre during Christmas. This time around however, Aldi have stuck their tongues firmly in their cheeks by commenting on a picture of M&S’ Colin wearing a crown, taking to Twitter to tweet “cancel the crowns! CANCEL THE CROWNS.”

Tyrells and Walkers have also been inspired by the upcoming coronation, with both selling a limited edition selection of regal flavours; having tasted the Lamb and Mint Walkers Sensations myself, the taste is much better than the gimmick itself. But if finger sandwiches and scones are not enough to satisfy the hungriest of appetites, how about a three course meal based on solely coronation items on sale?

The Queen’s three course coronation meal, served to 8,000 guests in 1953, consisted of a starter of poached salmon trout with sauce mousseline, Spring lamb and mint sauce and cold asparagus vinaigrette, with a main course of noisettes of lamb with green peas, rissole potatoes and artichoke bottoms, stuffed with creamed sweetbreads. Dessert for guests consisted of Strawberry ice cream bombe, glazed fresh fruits and the tried and tested cup of coffee, so we’re hoping we can recreate that meal somehow… 

We’ve taken a look at some of the leading supermarket chains throughout the UK to find out what special coronation themed culinary delights each has to offer, and have gone to create a three course meal based on our findings - some of it based on the menu Queen Elizabeth had, but realistically living during a cost of living crisis, we’ve opted not for the entire bells and whistles Queen Elizabeth served. 

Can the mighty Asda offer up something on par with the quality of M&S Food at a fraction of the price? Only one way to find out - let’s get shopping!

Tesco

• Starter: Tesco 2 Boneless Salmon Fillets 260G - £4.85/Asparagus Tips 125G Class 1 - £2.00
• Main Course: Tesco Lamb Leg Steaks 300G - £4.75/Heygate Farms Norfolk Potatoes 750G - £1.40/Tesco Artichoke Antipasti 285G - £2.75
• Dessert: Tesco Coronation Victoria Sponge - £8

My first trouble going shopping on Tesco; a distinct lack of asparagus. Whether it’s a supply issue or not, my biggest hope is everyone has the same idea and wants to create asparagus rolls because nothing screams classy like an asparagus roll - perfect for most occasions that require a certain je ne sais quoi. The two salmon fillets for poaching were the most reasonable for the price they were - no doubt there might be a fishmonger close to your abode who can maybe do it cheaper, plus buying local is always a bonus.

Second issue - what on earth is a noisette of lamb? A little bit of research revealed that it is a cut of sirloin of lamb rolled up. Cost of living crisis being something I was conscious of, I went with lamb leg steaks which can be rolled up into noisettes, followed by the potatoes which are just par-boiled and lightly cooked in butter and herbs. 

Artichoke bottoms were a bit of a problem to find at Tesco, so I went for the standard jar of artichoke antipasti, in the event someone wasn’t a fan of them. And for dessert, to keep you dear readers on your toes, I went for one of the myriad of Coronation themed items that are being wheeled out; on this occasion, Tesco’s Coronation Victoria Sponge - with a little left over for that high tea in the afternoon should your dinner be at lunchtime. 

Tesco total: £23.75

Sainsbury’s

• Starter: Sainsbury's Skin on ASC Scottish Salmon Fillets x2 240g - £4.00/Sainsbury's Asparagus Spears 250g - £1.89
• Main Course: Sainsbury's British or New Zealand Lamb Leg Steaks 300g - £4.75/Sainsbury's British Mini Potatoes 750g - 80p/Sainsbury's Artichoke Hearts in Water 400g - £1.95
• Dessert: Sainsbury's Jam & Cream Scones, Summer Edition 2x60g - 90p

A little bit more versed what a noisette and what rissole potatoes were, Sainsbury’s proved a bit more of an easier option; interestingly not with quite the line of coronation items compared to Tesco so far. But those pesky artichoke bottoms were once again a bit of a stretch; I went with a can of artichoke halves instead - I can always pretend they are bottoms, right?

For dessert, I was given the option of cream cakes at half price, and having already developed a taste for jam and cream scones after looking into places in London to have high tea, thought it would complement the meal rather well and draw in those high tea influences. Look at me - pairing desserts with a royal event.

Sainsbury’s total: £14.29

Asda

• Starter: ASDA Flavoursome 2 Salmon Fillets - £4.80/ASDA Extra Special Asparagus Tips - £1.85
• Main Course: ASDA Tender Lamb Leg Steaks - £5.00/ASDA British Light & Fluffy Maris Piper Potatoes - £1.60/Cypressa Antipasti d' Italia Marinated Artichoke Hearts - £2.75
• Dessert: ASDA Letty the Coronation Caterpillar Cake - £7.00

Now we’re (virtually) cooking - the salmon fillets, lamb steaks and potatoes were all pretty standard affair, going with piper potatoes because I’ve read they’re nicer to work with after parboiling. Just to throw a cat (or caterpillar rather) amongst the pigeons, I’ve opted for Asda’s contender for the coronation caterpillar - Letty, who we expect to be hit with a cease and desist from Colin's lawyers sometime soon…

Asda total: £23.00

Morrisons

• Starter: Morrisons The Best 2 Scottish Salmon Fillets - £4.99/Morrisons The Best Asparagus Tips 125g - £1.99
• Main Course: Morrisons Lamb Cutlets 330g - £4.46/Morrisons Baby Pearl Potatoes 500g - 99p/Green Giant Artichoke Hearts (400g) - £2.60
• Dessert: Morrisons Strawberries 350g/Morrisons Meringue Nests 8 per pack - £1.59/Morrisons Extra Thick Double Cream 300ml - £1.50

… not the asparagus issue again. Seems that those who prefer to shop at Morrisons or Tesco are fond of the old asparagus roll, and why not - it still screams classiness despite the amount of times I’ve looked for the regal vegetable. 

Second of all, there were no lamb steaks, so I had to pivot to the lamb cutlets the supermarket has on offer, but it isn’t ideal. Most of the coronation themed desserts were either of the Victorian Sponge or cream cake route, so instead I opted for a couple of quick ingredients for a makeshift Eton Mess instead - plus we really needed some fruit present in this article.

Personally, I was a little disappointed with Morrison’s; I don’t know why? Perhaps it’s because they’re usually my go to for party planning. 

Morrison’s total: £19.62

Waitrose

• Starter: Waitrose 2 Poached Scottish Salmon Fillets 170g - £6.75/Waitrose Asparagus 230g - £2.00
• Main Course: Duchy Organic British Lamb Leg Steaks - £6.05/Baby New Potatoes 750g - £1.65/Essential Artichoke Hearts in Water 240g - £2.00
• Desert: Waitrose Frozen French Lemon Tart 435g - £4.40

Pretty sure some friends and family members will look at this point of the article and say “how the humble have grown a hubris” by mentioning Waitrose. But to that I say, some areas have a Waitrose very conveniently nearby - for now at least. Plus I thought of all the supermarkets offering items for this coronation three course meal, Waitrose will deliver, right?

They did indeed deliver most of what I was looking for - but while looking for King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s favourite dessert, lemon cream, I thought of everyone trying to make it and instead opted for the French Lemon Tart - hopefully the King won’t mind the substitute. 

Waitrose total: £22.85

What is the cheapest supermarket for a three course King’s Coronation meal?

Believe it or not, Waitrose wasn’t the most expensive shopping list for the planned coronation meal - that honour instead goes to Tesco with a grand total of £23.75, with £8 of that price accounting for a coronation themed cake, which isn’t even in the shape of a caterpillar either…

But the winner of this challenge is Sainsbury’s with £14.29 for the entire meal; which means that if we wanted to push the boat out a little and replace those cream scones (sacrilege!) with something else, we could opt for a Sainsbury's Strawberry Jam & Cream Victoria Sponge for £3.05 instead. 

Or, alternatively, you could check out Marina Licht’s piece on the official Coronation Quiche, specifically prepared by the King and Queen for such an occasion. It makes for a pretty good vegetarian option too. Now for an antacid after all this food.