I'm having frozen mash for Christmas dinner and one of those Iceland ice cream bottles

[Honeydragon]

I hate doing mash, unnecessary labour for something dull.

I'm also doing the Roast potatoes in the Actifry.

AND

I'm having a chocolate ice cream bottle for pudding. With Heston Ponce Pies.

I'm not remotely unreasonable.

Nothing is unreasonable if it results in chocolate ice cream with toffee bits in a novelty shape.

Steak and chips for Christmas dinner seems like a really good idea. Bottle of cider and some Terrys Chocolate Orange and you've got a festive feast right there.

Pfft, I'd rather spend Christmas Day with my family than spend hours in the kitchen peeling vegetables and basting a turkey.

I quite like cooking Christmas dinner-I open a bottle of something sparkly and belt out Christmas songs whilst the boys pester DH

No idea what to do for dessert yet, might have a peek at the ice cream bottle.

Does anyone remember the thread a few years ago about frozen roasties for Christmas?

It was carnage, people got really really upset at the thought of other people using frozen roasties

I'm still getting over the 'roast potatoes aren't necessary for a roast dinner' thread

If I was single with the kids I would buy something from m and s and bung it in microwave. Thankfully dh cooks the lot as I have not the first clue how to make an xmas dinner. Yanbu

I am sad to say I tried the iceland bottle ice cream, and it is not nice.

But Silver, it is a pretty standard ingredient list for commercially made IC?

""Oh I've googled it and am disappointed ! It's a half a bottle! Flat on one side!
I envisioned a full bottle!""

Buy two and stick them together.

Virtual, what made it not nice? we don't eat cake and I was thinking of it as a alternative for a Birthday next week.

I'm Vegan, so don't eat traditional Christmas food, or processed etc. the ingredient list isn't that bad, tbh, for a occasional foodstuff.

YABU to have mash with Christmas dinner. Roast potatoes are much nicer and will soak up the gravy just as well.

Christmas dinner is just a roast dinner tbh which we may have on a Sunday anyway. I don't see any need to spend a long time cooking on Christmas Day.

Whether people choose to make everything from scratch, open a frozen pack, eat mashed potato, neck a bottle of gin while cooking is up to them and doesn't bother me.

Not does a pretty standard list of ice cream dessert ingredients - it is down to personal choice what you eat and how you spend your time!

Christmas is a stressful enough time if you're having family over so if a few shortcuts make for an easier ride - no problem. It's not a competition but a celebration, a holiday for everyone.

I am looking forward to my relaxed Christmas Day!

Lovely thread. Thank you for making me feel I don't have to be Nigella on Christmas Day. I like the look of the Sainsbury desserts in the ad.
Has anyone else noticed that the Aldi roast potatoes definitely don't take half an hour to cook though? First time I have ever tried frozen ones but they take at least an hour to cook. Was thinking of bunging them in the actifry but think they will still take a long time? Do we have any Actifry experts?

It depends on your tastes. I think roast potatoes are disgusting on any day of the year.

Fresh vs Frozen would technically make frozen fresher.

And how fresh? Do you gather as a family in the morning to execute the turkey merrily singing Christmas carols whilst granny digs up the potatoes?

Sounds disgusting to me, but if you like it go for it.

Never tried frozen mash, is it that much hassle to peel a few potatoes, shove them in the microwave and mash them?

And why are you all having ice cream?! I need my Christmas pud!

Yes, it is that much of a hassle. On the basis I don't want to do it.

It's 20 minutes unwarranted hob use, an extra pan, and extra sieve and knife to watch, and extra wipe for the bench from all the starch. And I have to clean the masher.

even in the microwave it's still an extra bowl, and all the other washing up.

That can all fuck off thanks.

If I'm cooking for 10+ fine, I'll peel chop and soak the night before. Anything less. Meh.

Honey, the first year that FIL got his annual 'thank you ostrich turkey' it came to him live

The farmer turned up with it in his arms and my MIL near had a heart attack it took longer to pluck than to cook.

Thankfully by the time I came on the scene he'd bring it ready butchered

Birds, the chocolate flavour in the ice cream wasn't good.

I like the tesco belgian chocolate ice cream bar, or the 2 carte dor ice cream yule log things are delicious.

Virtual, thanks, I'll check out the other two.

I may do lasagne this year.
With pigs in blankets.

Must try frozen mash.

You can make mash in advance and freeze it. Or you can make it the day before and microwave it.

Or you can always hand the reins over to Aunty Bessie.

Frozen mash is awesome. I never make my own mash any more (I'm perfectly capable of it).

Carte dor Yule log?! Oooooh