Christmas Lunch Hacks

HoneyRoastedParsnip

CapricornLass said:

Well, here are my hacks.

1. Prepare all the veg on Christmas Eve, even the potatoes.  Store potatoes and parsnips with a tablespoon of oil in a poly bag overnight.  Put a damp piece of kitchen roll over the other veg to stop them drying out and keep them in their own poly bags.

2.  Dig the slow cooker out.  Set it going when you get up and put the Christmas Pud into it, and then leave it to get on with it.  It will be ready when you need it after lunch.  Or have it at tea-time instead.

3.  Look for a copy of Delia Smith's Christmas book.  She has a timetable of what has to go on when for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the back of the book, which has been a godsend to me, and is worth the cost of the book on its own.

Great thanks

Rosa_Damascena

CapricornLass said:

Well, here are my hacks.

1. Prepare all the veg on Christmas Eve, even the potatoes.  Store potatoes and parsnips with a tablespoon of oil in a poly bag overnight.  Put a damp piece of kitchen roll over the other veg to stop them drying out and keep them in their own poly bags.

2.  Dig the slow cooker out.  Set it going when you get up and put the Christmas Pud into it, and then leave it to get on with it.  It will be ready when you need it after lunch.  Or have it at tea-time instead.

3.  Look for a copy of Delia Smith's Christmas book.  She has a timetable of what has to go on when for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the back of the book, which has been a godsend to me, and is worth the cost of the book on its own.

Does Christmas lunch really need to be such a big deal? Low-key one year can make the next more memorable.

Toonie

HoneyRoastedParsnip said:

That sounds lovely! 

Thanks, it is pretty nice. We also celebrate Christmas Eve as I'm half German. That tends to be a buffet of things which for two normally means a lovely fresh crusty loaf, cheese and ham, chutney/pickle/quince paste, hard boiled eggs, a little quiche (for DP), and as a nod to my childhood, those cheapy frozen sausage rolls which hardly cost a thing.  The other thing I normally do for Christmas Eve is make a cake and bring it along to our local pub (which is where me and DP met) and everyone gets a piece. I have very fond memories of my Mum who used to make lots of cake at Christmas to take to friends, chocolate and vanilla marble cake in a bundt tin, decorated with melted chocolate and icing sugar.

None of what we do is elaborate, but it is filled with love, friendship and care. As an atheist, that's what the festive season means for me.

Gers

Toonie said:

HoneyRoastedParsnip said:

That sounds lovely! 

Thanks, it is pretty nice. We also celebrate Christmas Eve as I'm half German. That tends to be a buffet of things which for two normally means a lovely fresh crusty loaf, cheese and ham, chutney/pickle/quince paste, hard boiled eggs, a little quiche (for DP), and as a nod to my childhood, those cheapy frozen sausage rolls which hardly cost a thing.  The other thing I normally do for Christmas Eve is make a cake and bring it along to our local pub (which is where me and DP met) and everyone gets a piece. I have very fond memories of my Mum who used to make lots of cake at Christmas to take to friends, chocolate and vanilla marble cake in a bundt tin, decorated with melted chocolate and icing sugar.

None of what we do is elaborate, but it is filled with love, friendship and care. As an atheist, that's what the festive season means for me.

I'm also half German and your post brought me such pleasure.  Bunte Teller on Christmas Eve was always a joy, all those wee delicious biscuits and chocolates.  This will be the first year without my beloved German mother so it'll all be different but I shall ride the waves of glorious memories.

Toonie

Gers said:

I'm also half German and your post brought me such pleasure.  Bunte Teller on Christmas Eve was always a joy, all those wee delicious biscuits and chocolates.  This will be the first year without my beloved German mother so it'll all be different but I shall ride the waves of glorious memories.

It's my first year without my German Mum too, she passed away in January. But we do have lots of things of hers, including her Nutcracker collection (one of whom is 3 feet tall!). I shall be eating lebkuchen and drinking Asbach on Christmas Eve in her memory.

Brie

Toonie said:

It's my first year without my German Mum too, she passed away in January. But we do have lots of things of hers, including her Nutcracker collection (one of whom is 3 feet tall!). I shall be eating lebkuchen and drinking Asbach on Christmas Eve in her memory.

I love it that the Nutcracker is a person and not an object!!!  True love!!!  Hopefully he'll be toasting your mum with the Asback as well!

OH is slightly German (g.grandfather from Hamburg) and the family has loved travelling in Germany & Austria at every opportunity.  My home town (far far away!) was populated by German and Eastern European immigrants so despite my own very British ancestry much of the festive food available was decidedly not.  I loved spending my pocket money on much more interesting treats in the various local delis than were available at home. 

Toonie

Brie said:

Toonie said:

It's my first year without my German Mum too, she passed away in January. But we do have lots of things of hers, including her Nutcracker collection (one of whom is 3 feet tall!). I shall be eating lebkuchen and drinking Asbach on Christmas Eve in her memory.

I love it that the Nutcracker is a person and not an object!!!  True love!!!  Hopefully he'll be toasting your mum with the Asback as well!

Haha! I hadn't even thought that one through, it was just the natural thing to type. As he's so big, my Mum actually kept him out all year and referred to him as Herman.