to provide this food...

[Whathashappenedtomyboobs]

So, this Christmas I have 11 family members (including DH, DS and I) coming to my home for Christmas dinner.
I really don't want to spend ALL of my time in the kitchen sweating over a hot stove, so today I went out and brought frozen Roast potatoes, parsnips, mixed veg, yorkshire pudding and peas. Nothing fresh in this house apart from the turkey I'm picking up Christmas eve and the puddings my mum will be making.

[BlueberryHill]

Wordfactory, Yorkshire lass too, my MIL now includes them when we go there for Christmas meals. I am slowly converting the country.

[Whathashappenedtomyboobs]

I get it..

[Nicknamegrief]

My Mother In Law has done mainly frozen for Christmas Day (apart from the pots).
While the food has never been anything special it has always been fine and it is only part of the whole day. I would never tell my Mother in Law the meal wasn't of a Michelin standard because I always have so much fun sat around the table with our extended family and children that the meal becomes significantly better than the food on the plate. Everyone lends a hand at some point but on my in laws side they aren't very comfortable in the kitchen. My Mother in Law always puts lots of effort into doing a lovely table, providing nibbles and making sure everyone is happy. Whereas my Mum is all about the meal. Which is always really good but sometimes a bit stressful.
Whenever I've cooked for over 8, I've always done gammon and dauphinois potatoes. So I've done all my prep on the 23rd. I also only do three types of veg (including frozen peas which are meant to be fresher than refrigerated) so it isn't hard work prep wise. I make my own stuffing in advance too.
I do think that the less stress you feel under on the day will make for a happier host and therefore a better day.

[PickledInAPearTree]

Gammon & dauphinois potatoes is a really good one.

[bedmonster]

Okay whats, you get the picture!! But is there any reason you have to do a roast? I know it's traditional but to be honest, IMO there's no point in eating it if you've cooked everything from frozen - it tastes, er, not as good.
BUT you could reheat something you've made in advance? Something really fancy/luxurious/that you wouldn't normally eat that has been all prepped and only requires sticking in the oven to warm.
That's what i'd do if I had guests coming for any other dinner and didn't want to cook. You could make it perfectly clear before hand so that anyone who was upset about not having the roast could make their own alternative arrangements, and then just enjoy your day.

[piprabbit]

Make your own frozen roasties and I swear they will be your best ever.
Prepare and parboil as usual. Then spread them out on a baking tray to cool down. Once they are cool bag and freeze them.
When you want to use them, heat some oil in a roasting tin and then bung in the frozen potatoes - cook til very crispy, golden and melty inside.

You can do the same with parsnips.

Much, much nicer than buying frozen roasties.

[DrSeuss]

I have never understood the Christmas perspective of my late mother. She complained loudly about having to cook, while refusing to take any shortcuts or have anyone help. Christmas in our house was an unpleasant, tense affair while we waited for her to blow. So, I take short cuts whenever possible in a bid to actually get some fun out of the whole day!

[Katiekitty]

Wow, amazed by the amount of restaurant-critic-judgy-pants here.

OP - let's hope you're inviting friends and family who love to see you and have a good get-together, rather than tutters who evaluate the gravy, spuds and M&S chiller cabinet-worthy level of your roast-preparation.

What's wrong with you all?

OP isn't running a restaurant
May not want to go to M&S for it all
Sheesh

[PickledInAPearTree]

She asked. That's why.

[ChasedByBees]

If you peel the potatoes the night before and toss them in oil, they'll be fine in the fridge. I would buy in chilled veg if you need to cheat. You can also buy high quality gravy and it won't take much longer if at all - it might cost a bit more though.

Why are you the only that would be chained to the kitchen stove though - what about your DH?

[Mrsjay]

tbh It really wouldnt bother me if you served me frozen veg and yorkies i hate frozen roasties though but would eat them really it is just a dinner and why should you get in a tizz cooking for 11,

[Nicknamegrief]

Pickled in pear, I pinched and have adapted a Nigella recipe, its a bread sauce style dauphinois (I love bread sauce but am not good with too much wheat so if I have stuffing I can't cope with bread sauce).

You warm through the milk and cream with mace and a clove studded onion, salt and pepper). I enjoy the leftovers with cold peas and more pepper!

For me it makes up for the lack if gravy (don't do it with a gammon personally).

[PickledInAPearTree]

I'm cooking on Christmas Eve and doing dauphinois and gammon too.

Ill look that up, sounds lovely.

[Mrsjay]

OP i bet you are glad you are not getting any of the repliers to your dinner they would be running fork through veg with upturned noses

[McChristmasPants2012]

I don't mind frozen veg for a mid week roast, but to me Christmas dinner is special and I go all out.

[Whathashappenedtomyboobs]

Well I've been reading my Mrs Beatons cook book and also taken on board your comments...some are a bit feisty, but, hay ho i wanted to know what people thought.

I personally am really looking forward to having my family over, and as much as they are all fab cooks, I don't think they are as pretentious as some of you lot and would be grateful for anything that was put in front of them and our company.

I do not want any of my family to think I'm lazy, don't want them their and to no enjoy their day (I really don't think a frozen roast potato will do this) but I am going to make a compromise...

I have ordered a lovely turkey and sausages wrapped in bacon from our local farm shop. I will cook my own potatoes and veg but I will be using some frozen bits like parsnips (because they are lush)Yorkshire pud and peas and I'm buying gravy.

[shrimponastick]

i have cooked christmas dinner for 14 a few years running now.

I make about 3 trays of yorkshire puddings the day before and cover loosely with cling film and re heat them on xmas day. It only takes a few mins in a hot oven to reheat them and they are perfect. I will not have aunt bessies in my house - my mum gets them, as does mil. they are rank.

Veg gets prepped the night before. Roast potatoes are simple.

My only gripe is that I would like two ovens, but manage.

I find wine helps... ;)

[StinkyWicket]

You should invite my mum, she can't stop herself from prepping every single vegetable in sight

[kilmuir]

Christmas for you too OP.
My children love aunt bessies yorkshires.
Love home made roasties and must be homemade gravy

[squeakytoy]

frozen roast potatoes are not too bad if you cook them after they have defrosted.. that way they are crispy on the outside, and soft in the middle..

I would do them that way, and also do some mash too (which can be bought fresh/chilled, or home made in advance then just reheated).

[Fakebook]

How long does it take to peel some potatoes and parsnips? Honestly don't buy this things frozen its disgusting.

[Whathashappenedtomyboobs]

Read my last post Fakebook

[yellowsubmarine53]

If everyone drinks enough, it won't matter what it tastes like, would be my theory...

I totally hear you re not wanting to spend the whole of Xmas day in the kitchen - I only did a proper turkey thing once and it was like having another guest with all the basting, prodding and god knows what.

I would either ask everyone to do and bring a bit, or serve something very easy, simple and non-traditional ie nice starter, salmon, new spuds, salad, fresh veg, choice of deserts.

[fluffypillow]

frozen roasties are vile Would hate frozen veggies too (don't mind peas)

I think frozen yorkshires are good though.

I'd just rope in some adults to help tbh. Why should you have to do it all?

[yellowsubmarine53]

Just read your update - sounds good!