What can I prepare now to make Xmas day stress free?

life_in_termoil

Just wondering what I could cook/bake and freeze now ready to just be reheated/defrosted on Xmas Day?

motherhen2234

Well it depends what your eating but I am already checking what from my xmas eve buffet and xmas day dinner can be frozen etc.

Today I made my red cabbage. We had one portion with our casserole for tea tonight and froze the rest for the big day. It will just need reheating with a splash of water.

Over the next few weekend I'll try and get some other stuff done. Although my soup and desert (some type of cheesecake tbc) will be made the day before as it just tastes better that way.

Definite cheats I do are pre made gravy (usually get it from m&S), aunt bessie batter for the yorkshire puds, roast potatoes (taste the difference goose fat type ones) and use a disposable roasting tray or one or happy to throw out to save washing up!

That will just leave my carrots (i do ones glaze with honey and thyme) to do from scratch on the day which takes 20 min but is very much a leave them to it type dish and another veg to do perhaps a bit of broccoli which is no stress. Oh yes and the main star which is a leg of lamb :-)

hot.chick

whats ur menu?

suzybloo

I am looking at doing this too - I have had a busy time and want to put my feet up as much as possible over the festive period. I am making my soup tomorrow and freezing that, I am preparing the carrots, sprouts etc by blanching them and then freezing. Christmas cake is also being made tomorrow, and I am intending making a christmas pudding one night this week, these will just need to be kept in airtight containers. Christmas pies will be made next week and HM sausage rolls will be made at the same time - once again put into the freezer. I am keeping a drawer seperate specifically for Christmas meal stuff, that way I wont have to rummage everywhere to add to the stress! Bacon and chipolatas are already in the drawer, bread mix is in the cupboard for HM bread, butter is in the freezer (bought when lurpak was on special). The onbly things not scheduled in so far are the turkey itself and the potaotes, they will be cooked on christmas eve.

Penny-Pincher!!

You could prepare in advance:

Yorkshires (freeze)
Gravy (freeze)
Carrot/Swede Mash (freeze)
Roasts (freeze)
Soup (Freeze if having as starter)
Xmas Pudding/Cake
Mash (freeze)

Probably quite a lot really.

PP
xx

bluebag

Check your table setting things are all ready, napkins, candles, glasses, tablecloth etc. Don't forget the crackers.
I usually get the stuffing in the freezer and buffet items like prawns and uncooked sausage rolls.

katholicos

If you are having a traditional roast with all the trimmings, practically eveything can be prepared in advance and frozen...even the turkey or other meat of your choice can be cooked, then sliced and frozen so that all you have to do on the day is defrost it and reheat it to piping hot. I have all our Christmas day veggies in the freezer, i grew them in the summer and blanched and froze them. I also make bread sauce, cranberry sauce, braised red cabbage in advance and freeze it.

Puddings are also made in advance, this year i froze a good quantity of my home grown strawberries and i shall be making a (meringue) pavlova and freezing it alongside the frozen strawbs and then on Christmas day i shall just need to whip up some thick cream and sandwhich the pavlova meringues together and pile a load of 'fresh' fruit on top. I'm also going to make my usual New York Cheesecake and i think i'm going to make a chocolate log too as i have lots of dark baking chocolate to use up. All of these will be frozen. I also go in for making as many party snacks and nibbles as possible, in advance, so will make vegetarian sausage rolls and pork filled sausage rolls, cheese straws and other bits and pieces. I find it really takes the stress out of Christmas if you know you have a lot of the main meal prepared:-)

Pink.

Hi life in termoil,

This thread has lots of tips and advice that should help you have an easier Christmas day:

Christmas Dinner (preparing in advance)

I'll add your thread to that one later to keep the suggestions together.

Pink

kippers

katholicos wrote: »

I'm also going to make my usual New York Cheesecake and i think i'm going to make a chocolate log too as i have lots of dark baking chocolate to use up. All of these will be frozen. :-)

Can homemade cheesecake be frozen?...i didn't realise....this will help me alot this christmas if it can be

esmf73

I already have the following in my freezer:

Cranberry sauce, red cabbage, christmas cake, brandy butter, shop bought soda bread and smoked salmon (starter!), pineapple icecream, chocolate log (reduced price in Mr T), Lasagne (meal deal in Mr T - for day when I can't be bothered!). Cheese - wensleydale and gorgonzola I think.

have the following saved from last year (unused!) Christmas pud, bread sauce, stuffing (just add water!), pickled onions. Crackers - for cheese

Haven't yet made mince pies and have promised my MIL that I'd make her shortbread this year as she's too ill. Thats for next weekend. I just buy when I see things reduced or when I don't have to spend so much on that particular fortnights shopping. Much prefer to get it all in advance.

I work on the principle that if I can't use it now then I'll freeze it - if it doesn't defrost very well, then I've not lost anything as it might have ended up in the bin having "gone over".

jaxx46

Got this in an email this morning, haven't had chance to have a proper look yet but it may be some help. http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/pictures/30701/30-Christmas-recipes-to-make-in-advance