Christmas Cooking

BigBenDee

As a 40 yr old male cooking for Christmas for the first time I need a bit of help, so where better to come.

Not too bothered about ther main Christmas lunch as it's like a big Sunday roast really (I hope). I was thinking of cooking the turkey crown on xmas eve to make life easier. If i did what is the best way to reheat. Preslice & then microwave?

Also brought a unsmoked bacon joint from asda. Any tips & recipies on how & when to cook this would be appreciated.

Finally, how long will mince pies keep. If I make them this weekend, is that too early.

Thanks for your help, much appreciated
Compliments of the season :beer:


Ben

Paige

Hi Ben
Mince pies - I always make them and freeze them before cooking. This means I can cook how many I need from frozen. Always taste lovely and fresh then.
Turkey - I would cook fresh but if it all is too much I think it may be best to cook it christmas eve and then reheat it in the oven with gravy covering it as this will keep it moist.
Ham - If salted soak the ham overnight first - this will take away some of the salt. Then put it in a very large pan with a halved onion, a halved orange, a carrot or 2, some spices - 2 teaspoons of cinniman, cuman, black pepper,cover with water and simmer for about 2 hours. Check that the water is not running dry - if it is getting low top back up with boiled water. Take it out and leave to cool then peel the rind off the joint, Score the fat and cover in marmalade or apricot jam and bake in the oven for about 20 mins until the marm is bubbling. I can highly recommend Nigellas coke ham. This is really yummy but as it sounds so strange you just need to go with it. All you do is put the ham in a large pan and cover with coca cola (not diet) simmer it in the coke with 1 halved onion for approx 2 hours and follow the same as above but cover it in redcurrant jelly. This is fab and it never fails - you dont really taste the coke but it is so delicious. You can cook this on 23rd or 24th.
Giood luck
Paige X