help novice cook doing Christmas dinner for 10

pjs_3

Second question. would you place in serving dishes for everyone to help themselves or just fill up their plates in the kitchen (obviously asking if there are any brussel haters first).

kathyd_2

Snaggles wrote:

I wish my family ate like this - I allow about 5 roast potatoes each, because the blokes will eat them by the bucketload if I let them (and then they wonder why they are asleep within 10 minutes of finishing the meal!).

5?.....each? I make mine fairly big with a few extra just incase, but don't think I've met anyone who can eat 5 :eek: At least you get a bit of peace if the men folk are kipping

Now I realise this might make me sound a bit 'sad' but I keep a loose leaf book with a list of groceries to buy; a list of frozen foods to buy; a list of fresh foods and a list of drinks to get. They are then ticked as and when bought. In my book I also keep a note of what date certain things need taking out of the freezer ie 23/12 ham joint - 24/12 bacon/mini sausages/prawns etc., etc. I have also written details of how and when to prepare the turkey, cook the turkey & ham, make the trifle, how to do the roast potatoes and various other instructions, timings etc.

In the book I also have my Christmas card list. I write down everything I buy throughout the year for Christmas presents and where I've stored them. At the end of Christmas I make a note of anything I need to buy/replace for next Christmas ie decorations that may have been ripped when taking down, new lightbulbs, tree decorations, whether I need to buy more Christmas cards/wrapping paper etc. Anything that we particularly liked/disliked.

As I am a relative newcomer to the MSE forums I have also added some of the wonderful suggestions posted here. My daughter has said that when she leaves home she would like me to write up a copy in a book for her as she would find the information invaluable, particularly the foodie bits.

Not sure if this is in the right place. :rolleyes: Started off about one thing and my fingers just took over

pjs_3

sounds like a sensible idea to me. I had a list for presents and a list on computer for cards but to have it all together in one book would be better. Going to do the same as you starting in January.

Thankyou

raffe

....................

ashli_2

kathyd wrote:

I usually allow a carrot per person, 2 servings out of a parsnip, both depending on size of course (if they are quite small allow more). As we all like sprouts I usually cater for about 8 per person. 2 roast potatoes per person and for the mash I allow another 2 roast size potatoes per portion for mashing. This however, is only a guide. I always do slightly more as you can't tell folk you are only allowed 8 sprouts . If there are leftovers keep in the fridge and have as a bubble and squeak type meal with your leftover meat the day after boxing day. (I deliberately do more veg as it saves cooking that day :rolleyes: )


:xmastree: :xmassign:

I would about four times more than that :eek:

Which is why I'll be eating it until new year :rolleyes: :rotfl:

ashli_2

Kethy you have just made me feel a bit less odd.


I have a 'Christmas master list', which my OH has been ribbing me mercilessly for months. I'll have the last laugh when I can put my feet up on Christmas Eve because everything is organised and taken care of.

pjs_3

Carrots and brussels are blanched and in the freezer now! (I hope I did it right and they turn out ok!).

Got all the shopping now apart from - Potatoes, parsnips and cream. Also need salad bits for Christmas day tea then im finished. Anyone have any idea how early I can buy these without them going off?