Christmas Dinner (preparing in advance)

xbrenx

Paulie'sGirl wrote: »

I plan a fairly deep kitchen clean (by OH, as I'm really struggling with bronchitis ATM) to include de-cluttering the dining table so I can set it.

I felt instantly better reading this - about de-cluttering the table - my two sons did mine today while I was at work and it was a lovely surprise to come home to, but thats as far as prep goes. Glad I'm not the only one who loses the table to clutter

Have a lovely Christmas everyone xx

uolypool

Glad I'm not the only one who loses the table to clutter

Have a lovely Christmas everyone xx[/QUOTE]


Woohoo my clutter has table legs too.Now its got a beautiful tablecloth and charger plates napkins and upside down glasses on it, even though we are not using it till Sunday as we are off out for lunch tomorrow.
Merry Christmas everyone :xmassmile:rudolf::snow_laug:santa2::snow_grin:xmassign::xmastree:

Paulie'sGirl

Heh heh! Have we uncovered a secret club of OSers who have cluttered dining tables?

zippychick

ive merged this with christmas dinner preparing in advance

thanks Zip

sandy2_2

Hi everyone,
we went to a friends for Xmas lunch this year and 2011 it will be my turn to host for 8 people.
What recipes worked best for you, starter, main and pudding, how did you manage to serve everything so it was hot at the table, self serve or ready plated, any other tips welcomed

Sandy

southwestmaid

sandy2 wrote: »

Hi everyone,
we went to a friends for Xmas lunch this year and 2011 it will be my turn to host for 8 people.
What recipes worked best for you, starter, main and pudding, how did you manage to serve everything so it was hot at the table, self serve or ready plated, any other tips welcomed

Sandy

I find it easier to put everything on the table for people to serve themselves, we used a couple of microwave plate warmers and a couple of old metal warmers with candles in to help keep the food hot. My cheesy leeks were still sizzling sitting on the candle warmers.

One little thing I did this year as I didn't have enough room in the oven to warm the plates, I put them on a rinse and dry in the dishwasher, timed it just right and they were lovely and hot. I've done this before in a washing up bowl with very hot water but this time the plates were dried too.

stiltwalker

I did cold starter so that I didn't have to worry about keeping it hot lol. Smoked salmon with lemon wedges and a scattering of capers and thin homemade brown bread (made the day before) and butter -simple classic and really easy - also FIL's fave so extra brownie points there! As for main I plated up meat, pigs in blankets, stuffing balls and yorkies and served the rest in big dishes in the middle - again easiest way without having to squish too much onto the table. The pud was Christmas pud but I steamed it the day before and nuked it portioned up when ready for it, it only takes about 30 seconds so can be in and out and you are taking the other dishes to the table.

I used to run a tearoom so am used to plating up loads of food and getting it all out hot and my best advice is don't panic! If you are methodical and prepared and try to be as calm as possible the whole thing is easier.

lovesabargain123

Hiya
Sorry to mention the C word but I'm excited already!
I'm going away till the 23rd dec this year so everything has to be done before then.
Am I to early to make bread and cranberry sauce and freeze them?
What about mince pies and sausage rolls? I'm planning on making them and freezing them raw to cook when needed.
Many Thanks x

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I should imagine uncooked mince pies and sausage rolls would freeze perfectly well.
Can't see a problem with the cranberry or bread sauces either.

QueenieB

I'll be doing some batch cooking and freezing for Christmas this weekend, and sausage rolls, mince pies and various other cakes and cookies will be at the top of the list. we don't eat bread or cranberry sauces though, so I don't know about them.