Surviving Christmas Dinner: Tips Wanted

mummyroysof3

I was supposed to be doing Christmas dinner for 14 weekend before Christmas but have Sid I'm doing a Buffett instead with frozen party food etc.

I was going to make full use of pre prepared stuff and doing it the easiest way possible though

MrsGSR

I have catered for up to 8 before and I buy a turkey crown cos its so much easier and reduces the cooking time drastically. I prep everything the night before, if you have the space, blanch and freeze vegetables then just cook from frozen. Having lots of sides helps the meat go further, we always do lots of veg and potatoes and of course bacon wrapped sausages which I love.
One year I made profiteroles and froze them then filled them with whipped cream on the day and warmed through bought chocolate sauce. Have made chocolate roulade before and frozen the sponge ahead of time, since having children I don't have as much time so I tend to buy in!
This year our dinner will come courtesy of the land of ice, it's just the four of us and DH is working up till christmas eve so it's going to all be cook from frozen.

Bella73

I agree with everyone about timing. We always do a spreadsheet with the timing and have a timer on the go all the whole time we are cooking. If you have a smartphone there are free apps available where you can put all the details in and it counts down for you.

Remember if buying a frozen turkey to allow plenty of time for it to defrost as it will most likely be bigger than you normally buy.

I always try to think how much I need to feed people and then do some extra especially roasties and our lot can be quite greedy! Lol.

If cooking for lots I prefer for them to help themselves if you have room as it's much quicker to dish up. As others have said do not refuse any help be that preparing the meal or tidying up afterwards!

mustmakealist

Don't forget to make sure that your turkey will fit in the oven.
Use disposable foil trays for cooking roast potatoes - cuts down on the washing up. They might not be strong enough for the turkey.
Check that you've got enough crockery and cutlery as well as the serving dishes.


Enjoy your first Christmas and concentrate on the company rather than making everything 'perfect'

candjsmum

I have always cooked the turkey on xmas eve. Remove legs as these take longer to cook, that way the breast stays moist and doesn't dry out. I half clementines and put into cavity and then put a heap of butter under the skin on the breast. Cover with bacon and cook.

On xmas day I then carve enough meat off for dinner and put into tin foil dish with plenty of gravy and heat through until piping hot. I also cook all the stuffings separately otherwise the turkey takes forever. I prep everything else the day before and then the day itself is less exhausting.

Hope that helps :beer:

themull1

candjsmum wrote: »

I have always cooked the turkey on xmas eve. Remove legs as these take longer to cook, that way the breast stays moist and doesn't dry out. I half clementines and put into cavity and then put a heap of butter under the skin on the breast. Cover with bacon and cook.

On xmas day I then carve enough meat off for dinner and put into tin foil dish with plenty of gravy and heat through until piping hot. I also cook all the stuffings separately otherwise the turkey takes forever. I prep everything else the day before and then the day itself is less exhausting.

Hope that helps :beer:

I do the same except I cook the turkey and beef early xmas morning, then put in foil trays in slices with gravy to heat up at lunchtime. The gravy is more watery than the one I serve with the dinner. It takes the pressure off making sure the meat is cooked at the same time as the veg, and it works for me.!

mrsdee

First of all make a list of everything you'll need. If wife's family are helpful nice people and want to contribute, get them to bring stuff such as cheese course, champagne, etc and be really specific about who brings what!

Lay the table the night before if you can. Agree with everyone that you should aim to get as much prepped beforehand.

I personally find when catering for a group, whether at Christmas or other times, as long as you can serve some lovely drinks with delicious nibbles/starters then after that it doesnt really matter! Good quality prosecco/fizz from Aldi, plus smoked salmon on blinis is dead easy and gets people out of your kitchen pouring their own drinks etc whilst you get the rest ready.

Remember it's just a roast dinner with some extras! Definitely agree with the turkey crown suggestion - maybe get two, or a crown plus a gammon and let people help themselves to meat and then veg/gravy.

Does the family like Christmas pudding? We dont, and tend to have mince pies warmed in the oven, with cream, and then a cheese course. Easy peasy....

Good luck and enjoy!!

Okydoky25

Decorate the table the night before if you can. Accept offers. Someone could make & bring the sausage stuffing or the pudding for example.

wiogs

If people do offer to help make sure it is on your terms. I recall an aunt helping one time by offering to clear up as we cooked. She cleaned the pan the turkey was cooked in, so that screwed up the gravy and "helpfully" threw the stuffing in the bin.

She is allowed nowhere near the kitchen now.


Ever.

Spendless

I would state to your guests what is happening rather than ask them if they would like <whatever>. Otherwise you are going to get Great Aunt Ethel saying she likes her dinner at 12, whilst Uncle Bill wants to eat at 3pm, one wants sprouts, which every one else hates, one doesn't want xmas pudding but would like a selection of cheese and biscuits instead and so on. Been there and got the t-shirt!