Christmas - As easy as possible please.

bluenose1

Well I have decided that I am going to make Christmas as easy as possible for myself. Bought most of my presents online and have wrapped them up then put them in nice gift bags under the tree.

I used to half kill myself on Christmas Day while the rest of the family had fun. The silent martyr in the kitchen. Though last couple of years have changed and enjoy the day more more. Make husband and kids do some of the jobs below.

Christmas Eve
Wash and blow at hairdressers to save valuable time doing it myself on Christmas day.
Set table
peel potatoes
Prepare cauli and cabbage.
Make sherry trifle

Christmas Day - cheats
No starter as there is so much choice for Dinner
Use disposable baking trays
Use ready prepared carrot and turnip.
Use Frozen button sprouts
I would use frozen roast potatoes but dont like the taste.

Any other tips that you have to make Christmas more enjoyable?

red_devil

in my opinion buying frozen stuff etc dosent make the day more enjoyable.

I wouldnt buy ready dont potatoes or sprouts.

danielley

I am doing Xmas lunch for 9 this year and dreading it! I fear I will be the 'Silent Martyr in the kitchen.

However, my helpful hubby heard these tips from James Martin on Radio 2 this morning.

· Cook all the veg the night before and then put it in the fridge then it will just all need to be put in a big pan and boiled for 30 seconds the next day before serving
· Get the turkey in early and then bring it out to rest in foil for 90 minutes before serving it
· Not to use turkey juices for the gravy but instead buy chicken or beef stock – 1 litre does 2 people so will need quite a lot! We can get the gravy cooked on Sunday, store it then reheat

scholesfan88

danielley wrote: »

I am doing Xmas lunch for 9 this year and dreading it! I fear I will be the 'Silent Martyr in the kitchen.

However, my helpful hubby heard these tips from James Martin on Radio 2 this morning.

· Cook all the veg the night before and then put it in the fridge then it will just all need to be put in a big pan and boiled for 30 seconds the next day before serving
· Get the turkey in early and then bring it out to rest in foil for 90 minutes before serving it


· Not to use turkey juices for the gravy but instead buy chicken or beef stock – 1 litre does 2 people so will need quite a lot! We can get the gravy cooked on Sunday, store it then reheat

I dont like the sound of cooking the veg the night before

I always peel, prepare and put in the pans on xmas eve but never cook.

bluenose1

danielley wrote: »

I am doing Xmas lunch for 9 this year and dreading it! I fear I will be the 'Silent Martyr in the kitchen.

However, my helpful hubby heard these tips from James Martin on Radio 2 this morning.

· Cook all the veg the night before and then put it in the fridge then it will just all need to be put in a big pan and boiled for 30 seconds the next day before serving
· Get the turkey in early and then bring it out to rest in foil for 90 minutes before serving it
· Not to use turkey juices for the gravy but instead buy chicken or beef stock – 1 litre does 2 people so will need quite a lot! We can get the gravy cooked on Sunday, store it then reheat

Good luck being the Silent Martyr. The most I have done dinner for is 8 and I was like a lunatic in the end. I have ended up having a quiet shouting match in the kitchen with my husband before now and then all smiles in front of our guests.

Never thought of doing the veg the night before. we quite often heat left over veg in pyrex dishes on Boxing Day.

Like the tip about the Turkey as it would be much easier to carve after resting so long.

Christmas is not about being perfect in our house nowadays, it is about everyone getting together and enjoying themselves.Even me.
I can honestly say when I told my familt the various cheats I had done, none of them could even tell.

porlock

I always make sure I plan a starter & dessert that can be prepped in advance. Doing home-cured salmon for starters (prepping Saturday) and cheesecake for dessert (making Christmas Eve).

Best tip I was given for easy spud prep is this:
Christmas Eve, peel, chop, boil & drain. In the pan, melt your cooking fat for the spuds, then chuck your spuds back in and toss to coat. Tip all of this in the baking tin, and leave to cool then transfer to the fridge. The fat seals the spuds and stops them drying out or discolouring, and the next day all you need to do is bung the whole tin straight in the oven. Genius - saves me so much time on Xmas Day!

JulieM

Always use a quilted table protector under your tablecloth so it doesn't matter about hot serving dishes doing any damage to the table.

wallbash

Last year cooked for 11 adults , yes to preparing the veg the night before.
No to Frozen anything . If you cant be bothered to get up and do it yourself why cheat ( and settle for second best)

My tip for Roast potatoes,
King Edwards . large potatoes , cut down to correct size with 'lots' of sharp edges. Par boil ( with salt) for ten mins . drain and return to pan , leave exposed , you want the spuds to dry . ( this is vital)
Heat the lard/ oil/ fat as hot as you can , This takes a little while in the hottest you oven can get . Turn hob on , clear kitchen ( DANGER !!)
Place hot roasting pan on hot hob and transfer spuds to roasting tin , baste. return them to oven .

A good roast potatoe should 'shatter' if dropped.

chaplin1409

There are 6 of us normally so used to cooking for a few and my friend is coming tomorrow for christmas dinner making 10 but I had not even thought about preparing anything before hand as I think thats all part of it and christmas dinner is not much more than a normal roast dinner???

Meadows

No need to be a martyr or a slave to the kitchen (it is only a meal at the end of the day).

Prep what you can the night before if you feel so inclined.
Make up things, accompaniments, starters desserts if you need to the night before.
Get up a little earlier on the day and prep.
Chillax on the day.
Enjoy the day.
Ask for help if you need it.
Spend the minimum time you have to in the kitchen (you only really need to be in there all the time as everything is almost ready to be served).
If you are busy someone needs to refresh your glass when needed.

Remember it is only food, only a meal, only family, the less you stress the smoother it all goes.

saterkey

buy xmas pud, mince pies, trifle, stuffing, ready prepared sprouts, parsnips, dont make anything. just buy finest.
do you own roasties, dont take long to peel.
Get bird ready prepared by partner night before, giblets out, in roasting dish with foil over. All i have to do is put it in.
have glass of wine and radio on while cooking, and everyone else goes visiting and to crem.
have just family of 4 with maybe one extra grandparent so not more than i usually cook for really.
No crackers this year, take up too much space, dont seem to get pulled at the right time and bits everywhere.
Buy pressies online, dont write too many cards, this year i havent hung them all up, managed to find a snowman xmas card holder which is doing a great job and has saved me an hour.
prebought lots of stuff over the weeks so only need a small shop for veggies at the weekend.
chill