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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask for your Christmas dinner tips

22 replies

takeoutwa · 20/12/2019 12:17

Wether it be how you cook your turkey, to how you make your roasties or how to time everything to cook it all?

I'm cooking for 7 for the first time and looking for some tips!

How can I make my veg a bit more exciting? We are having parsnips, green beans, carrots and sprouts.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Pootles34 · 20/12/2019 12:19

The gravy gets done in advance - Jamie's 'Get Ahead Gravy' is very good - don't include the star anise!

Also think about how many pans you might need - borrow some if needs be. You will need a lot of saucepans and plates, as well as serving dishes.

Trial run as much as you can before the day - don't be cooking anything for the first time on Christmas day.

takeoutwa · 20/12/2019 12:20

Ooooh that's interesting about gravy in advance. I would NEVER have thought to do that...

OP posts:
isseywith4vampirecats · 20/12/2019 12:24

chestnuts cut up into your sprouts really bounce them up,

I peel the veg and potatoes the night before and put them in pans of cold water so on Christmas day I only have to par boil the potatoes for the roasties, and cook the other veg at the right time,

make sure your turkey is thawed all the way through if you are buying a frozen one, don't put the stuffing inside the turkey as the raw juices go through the stuffing do it in a separate dish,

some honey through the parsnips as they come out of the oven ,

make starters simple either a home made soup with nice crusty bread or cold simple starters like melon, pate, smoked salmon or prawn cocktails with a simple side salad,

if your doing Christmas pudding do it in the microwave saves loads of time, or buy an easy to cut pre bought dessert of some sort with a big tub of cream easy

FreeButtonBee · 20/12/2019 12:25

Turkey will sit and rest very nicely under tin foil and 2 big towels. Which frees up the oven to cook the roasties and all the other sides. Aim to have turkey ready an hour before you eat.

Jamie gravy as above.

Peel veg the night before and store in water.

Get the roast potatoes really really hot by cooking them in the tray on the hob for 3-5 mins after putting them in the oil and then put in the oven. I normally cook them like this til I start to see them colouring on one side and baste them as I go. Gets them super crispy really fast.

Pootles34 · 20/12/2019 12:27

Oh I forgot my Christmas pudding tip - I did it in the slowcooker one year, it was sat upstairs in a bedroom so nicely out of the way!

Agree with stuffing in a separate dish - the turkey cooks much more quickly, so doesn't go all dry.

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 20/12/2019 12:28

I’d not bother with green beans. I’d have red cabbage (baked with apple and butter and a big of nutmeg if you like it). This Can be prepared in advance and reheated. Roast your parsnips with honey. Bacon with the sprouts? Slightly boiled then finished off pan fried. Mashed swede is lovely if with lots of butter and pepper. Again you can prepare in advance. Carrots you can steam in advance then plunge into cold water and re-heat. That will reduce the last minute veg prep.

Don’t forget the trimmings. We have cranberry sauce (from a jar), bread sauce that I make (the day before and re-heat in the microwave with a bit of extra milk), pigs in blankets and stuffing balls. The last 2 I cook early on then cover with foil and put in bottom of oven. They are very forgiving. Unlike potatoes and parsnips.

Enjoy.

Nannyamc · 20/12/2019 12:28

Parboil potatoes for 10 mins heat goose fat in oven and roast for 40 mins. Roast parsnips and carrots parboil for 10 mins heat olive oil and roast for 20 mins sprinkle with rosemary. Sprouts add some bacon. Have turkey out of the oven at this time to rest. Use serving bowls for potatoes and veg which means only plating meat. Use above gravy recipe as can be prepared potatoes in advance. Enjoy.

Jelly0naplate · 20/12/2019 12:29

Make a list of everything you need to cook and what time it goes in/comes out based on what time you're serving and stick to it as much as possible.

I also have everything peeled the night before. I'd don't serve a starter, there's enough without it personally.

Turkey resting under towels here too.

Good luck!

Justanothernameonthepage · 20/12/2019 12:35

Spatch the turkey (cooks faster and more evenly, and isn't anywhere near as dry). Prep all veg day before. Write a timetable going backwards from when you'd like to eat. Plan to have a walk to get fresh air after dinner and let someone else tidy up...

Pilot12 · 20/12/2019 12:42

Write a list of everything you need to cook, temperature and cooking time. Then write a timetable of what time you'll be putting everything in the oven, making gravy etc.

This year I'm using my slow cooker to make braised cabbage and my air fryer to make roast potatoes so I have more room in the oven.

DP will carve the turkey and put it on the plates while I put everything else on. Then DP will make the gravy while I zap the bread sauce in the microwave.

I have two small children so I put them in their high chairs before serving and MIL entertains them at the table for ten minutes so everyone is ready to eat straight after dishing up. DP pours the wine while I'm seating the kids.

MyHeartIsBrokeButIHaveSomeGlue · 20/12/2019 12:42

Second the timetable going backwards. List when everything needs to go in/come out.

Also stick post it notes in the serving dishes so I know what is going where when it's cooked! (Obviously I take them off before the food goes in!)

Roast carrots with the parsnips in honey as they taste nicer and it's much easier than having loads of pots and pans on the go.

Peel veg and potatoes the night before and pop in water. Then just rinse on the morning and par boil.

takeoutwa · 20/12/2019 12:45

I forgot red cabbage - I will add that to my order

The honey for the parsnips, do you do that from the beginning of cooking, or part way through? (I know I can google but it's nice to get ideas).

And the age old question... Yorkshire puddings in Christmas dinner? It's a yes in my house! Wink

OP posts:
antisupermum · 20/12/2019 12:45

Buy the big aluminium roasting tins for cooking your turkey, veg etc in. Cooks everything fine and you can bin them afterwards which saves so much hassle after dinner.

BarbaraofSeville · 20/12/2019 12:54

Put all your lists and timings into a spreadsheet and save it until next year, after a couple of years, you'll have a tried and tested plan that makes everything so easy.

YY to the foil trays but put them on proper trays as they go all floppy when full of hot turkey.

Keep your veg in the car/outbuilding etc to save space in the fridge for turkey and booze

Get lots of help with veg prep.

Don't feel that you have to make everything from scratch. I buy a pot of fresh cheese sauce to save having to make it myself for the cauli cheese.

part-bake bread to save having to go to the shops over Christmas

I wouldn't bother with Yorkshire puddings, but do over cater and then you'll have enough leftovers to not have to cook on Boxing Day, and the day too after if you do it right.

Leftover roast potatoes, stuffing and pigs in blankets fried up together is the nicest food ever.

NurseButtercup · 20/12/2019 12:58

Whatever meat you're cooking, season it the night before it makes a huge difference to the flavour of the meat.

One year I also followed Jamie Oliver's recipe and shoved butter with mixed herbs under the skin of the chicken before roasting. omg it was delicious. Here's a video:

I agree with pp peel vegetables on Xmas eve to save time. Don't boil the green beans, carrots and sprouts - steam them in a steamer until cooked yet still firm, and then toss them in butter before serving. If you're feeling adventurous chuck some chilli flakes in with the sprouts.

Roast your parsnips and potatoes in goose fat.

Good luck and enjoy

hellsbellsmelons · 20/12/2019 13:01

We had THESE BRUSSELS last year - lovely!!!

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 20/12/2019 13:02

I put the honey on the parsnips from the outset. Mixed with some whole grain mustard if you fancy.

Personally I would not put Yorkshire puddings with a Christmas dinner. But all my 3 children love them, so I will do them (I do make my own, but for Christmas I’ll buy ready prepared - fresh not frozen (co-op are nice) - ones as they only take 4 mins in the small oven when space is at a premium.

hellsbellsmelons · 20/12/2019 13:02

If in doubt - Jamie Oliver is your friend for easy and delicious recipes.

BiddyPop · 20/12/2019 13:33

Start with the time you want to serve.
Work backwards, thinking how long things need to cook for and write a master list of when you need to do different steps. Be as detailed as you can be, include what pots/trays you need (so you don't need the same one for 2 jobs at the same time - 2 jobs at different times is fine if you have a washer upper), what each step is (is it "season with salt and pepper" only, or "season with salt/pepper, thyme and orange juice"...).
You may not need to refer to it on the day - but it makes it less daunting to have thought it all through once, and also means you can come back into the kitchen to do something and just tick it off, or if someone else comes in to offer to help you can just give them the next thing on the list to do.

Do some prep on Christmas Eve.
Peel veg and potatoes and either soak in cold water (potatoes, carrots, etc) or airtight plastic tubs (parsnips, onions) - sprouts can be either.

Make your stuffing.
Make your gravy.
Perhaps make your dessert/starter.

If not already made (can do this today!), any flavoured butters you need - for under skin of turkey to keep it moist (we like garlic, salt/pepper, thyme, rosemary and some sage in this), to toss over carrots (garlic, S/P, oregano and thyme), or sprouts (pepper, parsley - the bacon pieces already tossed in make it salty enough).

All meat is better if it has rested after roasting before carving - turkey can rest for up to 2 hours happily, but if you plan for 90 minutes, cover with 2 layers of tin foil and then a folded over large (clean) bath towel, it will be perfect.

90 minutes is plenty of time also to cook roasties and other veg, heat gravy, and still get a glass of wine and chat with guests.

Par-boil roast potatoes for 10-15 minutes (drain pot of cold soaking water, pour over boiling water and simmer gently for 15 minutes) then drain. Put your roasting tray into the oven before you drain them. Add the fat to the pot (olive oil, goose fat, whatever you are using) and let it heat up, put the lid back on the pot and give it a good shake to cover the spuds with fat. Put the potatoes onto the hot tray and roast for 45 minute to an hour.

I find it really helpful to have the sink full of hot sudsy water while I am doing my prep and cooking, to be able to wash as I go along. I might need some pots/trays again, but it also clears space to work in.

I also run the dishwasher after Christmas breakfast, whether it needs it or not, so that there is plenty of space for things as I am working and when we finish the various courses (dirty dishes are not getting in the way of plating up the next course).

Having a stack of clean tea towels is also useful - you can easily assign someone who offers to either wash what's sitting there, or to dry things and out them away. I find stopping to wash a pot in the water while I work is fine, but drying breaks my concentration, so I will leave it dripping on the drainer, so someone who comes and clears that away is very helpful!

(Kinda related to that last - I tend to do big meal prep wearing an apron to avoid splashes, and having a hand towel hanging off the strap at my waist - so I can dry them regularly as I wash them after handling raw meat, or smelly things or messy things, or after I've washed a pot or whatever. That is a separate hand towel to the general use one that always hangs in the kitchen anyway). The need to regularly wash hands is another reason why the basin of hot sudsy water is useful! You will need to refresh it occasionally (it will get dirty, and/or cold) so make sure you have plenty of hot water available.

As the cook, you will need to open a bottle of wine for a good slug in the gravy, and it is important to quality control that by having a glass to check. But only a small glass so you don't lose track of what you're doing.

Quick tips for veggies other than ones you mention (and not necessarily needing the cooker):
Peas - buy frozen petits pois, pour into a pyrex bowl/spare pot when turkey goes into the oven to thaw. When you are almost ready to serve, boil the kettle and pour onto peas. I don't even turn on the heat on the cooker, but if you have a lot, you might find that useful especially if they are still a but frozen - but they only take a couple of minutes to be ready.

Spinach - baby leaves, open bag, pour into colander draining over sink. Boil kettle, slowly pour all over the leaves and let it drain. Perhaps use potato masher/large spoon to press excess water from leaves. Perfectly wilted spinach.

We don't do a starter, we do a tray of M&S party food (or maybe a few if there's more present) roughly when the turkey comes out (so potato tray is probably heating up but veggies are not yet in the oven).

But plating up some smoked salmon cold be delegated to someone,
Or a large pot of soup to reheat shortly before serving could be made on 23rd or 24th.

We like a cheeseboard, we usually need time to let the roast settle anyway, but I get the cheese out of the fridge around the time I am dishing out so it can come up to room temperature.

Similar with any cold desserts - if something like a tart, cake, trifle... does it need to come up to room temperature or should it be served straight from the fridge/freezer?

What "sides" do you need for other courses - starters, cheese, dessert as well?
Bread and butter for salmon or soup, marie rose sauce for prawns, ….

Grapes or dates or figs or chutnies for cheese, and biscuits/crackers

Whipped cream, ice cream, fruit coulis, chocolate sauce, brandy butter.....

Milk, sugar, cream, chocolates, mince pies for tea/coffee?

Note: You DON'T NEED TO DO EVERYTHING.

A relaxed hostess who puts a hot and tasty meal in front of her guests with a smile is a good hostess.

A hostess who stresses herself to the hilt while aiming for "perfection" and everything that is "traditional" and "what everyone else has" - is heading for a meltdown and your guests won't enjoy that nearly so much.

Pick what you are happy to do, that you know your guests will enjoy, and is within your (and any helpers available) capabilities. Unless you want to practise this weekend, don't try things you have never done before - buy it in, leave it off the menu, ask a visitor to bring their speciality with them...but don't stress and panic about it all.

I also find, as the kitchen can get very hot and steamy on Christmas Day, having some air coming through (an open window somewhere) and getting out to put the bins out or something to get some actual fresh air can make a big difference to being able to cope with it all. Have a glass of something cold available to keep yourself hydrated (non-alcoholic, so in addition to your glass of wine) - whether you prefer water, sparkling water, squash, or a fizzy drink.

And to dress in lighter clothes for cooking - apron cover can still mean nice clothes, or you can build in 10 minutes to change before serving into your Master list - but don't get too hot yourself.

Sorry, that's a lot longer than I intended..

Fcukthisshit · 20/12/2019 13:38

Roast the carrots and parsnips with oil (we use olive oil) and a little bit of honey. Really delicious.

Metheven · 20/12/2019 20:12

Roasted sprouts are divine, so much better than boiling them. Cut them in half, toss them in oil and season then put in one layer on a baking tray. After about half an hour, put in some chopped bacon and chestnuts.

Nomorechickens · 20/12/2019 20:20

Roast the turkey in foil for at least an hour longer than it says on the guide. Take the foil off 30 minutes before it's done, to brown the skin. Remove from the oven 90 minutes before eating, turn the turkey upside down to rest, covered in foil, so the juices run into the breast meat and keep it moist.
Sprouts - boil for 3 minutes till still crunchy, then fry in butter with a packet of Merchant Gourmet pre-cooked/peeled chestnuts

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