Christmas dinner - I want it to be stress free!!!

System

My mums tactic is to start prepping in advance (which you seem to be doing!), shes already done the xmas pud and stuffings which are now in the freezer, veg she preps the day before.

I've had pre prepped veg before that you just shove in the oven/on the hob and tbh i don't find that much difference between those and home made, they are certainly easier and quicker to prepare (some places do a selection of veg you can just bung on the oven)

patanne

I too think that the way to relieve the stress is to plan in detail. Then prepare as much as you can in advance. If you make sauces, push the cling film right down into it that way there is no skin formed. But also be aware of what you are not good at. My poultry gravy is definitely nothing to write home about so I buy it ready made, because I know that if I start making it myself I will start worrying about it & it just isn't worth it.

pipkin71

We normally have our main meal on Christmas Eve leaving the day itself free for other stuff however my girls are working this year so it will probably go back to being on Christmas day.

Eldest will have beef as she's not keen on turkey.
Youngest wants a four bird roast and I will be having a vegetarian dish as I can't eat meat any more.

Then there will be the accompaniments. Hopefully everything will be done in as stress free way as possible though

pelirocco

Jagraf wrote: »

Hostess trolley! I find the prep fine its the timings, in and out of the oven I end up drinking too much waiting for things to be cooked at the same time

You just need to write out a time plan. I cook for around 15 every Christmas , I write out a lidl over what needs to be done , how long it takes takes to cook. then put it on a list with times to put it on to cook down one side. Maybe it's just practice but I find it stress free....its only a roast afterall

Jagraf

pelirocco wrote: »

You just need to write out a time plan. I cook for around 15 every Christmas , I write out a lidl over what needs to be done , how long it takes takes to cook. then put it on a list with times to put it on to cook down one side. Maybe it's just practice but I find it stress free....its only a roast afterall

How do you keep it all hot ? I find steaming keeps veg warmer for longer but a hostess helps with that too, and you can stick the pans in the dishwasher early.

it also warms up plates (not that I'm fussed but my mum is a stickler for this!

Kim_kim

Here's the link

https://www.cookfood.net/menu/christmas/christmas-day/christmas-lunch-bundles/Christmas-lunch-spread/

Just add their side of red cabbage & it's the full main.

Kim_kim

Milky_Mocha wrote: »

I've discovered a place that does this with large fleshy fish and it tastes amazing

That sounds interesting - any chance of a link?

VeGGie-STyLe

Milky_Mocha wrote: »

British Whole Deboned Oakham™ Turkey
Product code: 00519724
£65.00 1 £65.00
Posh Turkey Gravy
Product code: 00010719
£4.00 1 £4.00
Turkey Gravy
Product code: 00827003
£3.00 1 £3.00
Luxury Vegetable Selection
Product code: 00080903
£25.00 1 £25.00
Luxury Garnish Selection
Product code: 00636483
£14.00 1 £14.00
Classic Garnish Selection
Product code: 00449168
£11.00 1 £11.00
Pork, Honey-roast Chestnut, Bacon & Thyme Stuffing
Product code: 00075763
£8.00 1 £8.00
Barley, Orzo, Cranberry, Kale & Almond Salad & Tomato & Mozzarella Salad
Product code: 00011334
£18.00 1 £18.00
Cranberry & Port Sauce & Bread Sauce
Product code: 00904360
£6.00 1 £6.00
Christmas Star
Product code: 00056335
£15.00 1 £15.00
White & Milk Chocolate Crackers
Product code: 00954860
£13.00 1 £13.00

wow, I'm coming to yours this Christmas!!! :xmassmile

Rain_Shadow

meer53 wrote: »

I think people put far too much pressure on themselves on Xmas Day. For me, it's just like Sunday dinner, but with extras. Stuffing, pigs in blankets, etc. I usually cook a joint of pork, a turkey crown and a 5 bird roast from Aldi. There's 4 of us, i cook the pork and the 5 bird roast first, then the turkey crown. I have AMC pans so i can cook most of my veg together in one pan and bung the roasties, parsnips and the pigs in blankets in the oven together. I rarely start cooking before 11am, (thats when the wine gets opened too) can't be doing with all this getting up at 4 am business ! If anything is missed, it's tough. Oh, and i make my own Yorkshires

So you cook three large joints for four of you and that is just like a Sunday dinner?:eek:

meer53

Rain_Shadow wrote: »

So you cook three large joints for four of you and that is just like a Sunday dinner?:eek:

Who said they were large ? The 5 bird roast and the pork go in the roasting tin together, the turkey crown goes in on it's own later. Roasting meat is roasting meat whether it's one joint or 3, no different to a Sunday dinner.

The turkey and the 5 bird roast will last at least 3 days after Xmas Day.