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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can you keep a secret? (Lighthearted)

100 replies

StarryNightSparkles · 19/12/2021 15:22

I done my Tesco Christmas delivery order last night and had a crazy moment and thought fuck it lifes too short. So I bunged in Auntie Bessies Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes, gravy granules and packets of veg. This will be the first Christmas I've ever used pre made bits. My master plan is too pop Bing Crosby up a little bit louder in the kitchen to hide the packets rustling then bury the evidence in a bag at the bottom of the bin Xmas Blush

You are not being unreasonable - welcome to the dark side where you have more time to stuff your face with chocolates and prosecco.

You are being unreasonable - get your coat and leave MN

OP posts:
LuaDipa · 19/12/2021 20:46

*to

Staryflight445 · 19/12/2021 21:42

Frozen stuffing is always rock hard when cooked and dry. The frozen spuds suck too, I’m glad you’re considering making potatoes.
Yorkies are fine frozen lol

lisaandalan · 19/12/2021 22:53

If you are going to get pre prepared Yorkshires at least get beef dripping ones from the counter not frozen ones and I definitely would not eat frozen potatoes, veg maybe, but definitely not potatoes. X

Curiousmouse · 19/12/2021 23:53

If you don't plan to make gravy, buy the pre made stuff in pouches. Eg red wine gravy.

Lukeaway · 19/12/2021 23:55

I do the whole lot premade from m&s - just bung it in the oven, I’m not spending Christmas prepping and cooking

LittleRoundRobin · 20/12/2021 00:31

I don't know why you are bothered @StarryNightSparkles or why you want to get approval on here. EVERYONE uses pre-made roast tatties, yorkie puds, and gravy granules. They just don't admit it and choose to lie about it, and pretend they're the cook-from-scratch queens.

NovemberNovemberDarkNights · 20/12/2021 00:50

@LittleRoundRobin

I don't know why you are bothered *@StarryNightSparkles* or why you want to get approval on here. EVERYONE uses pre-made roast tatties, yorkie puds, and gravy granules. They just don't admit it and choose to lie about it, and pretend they're the cook-from-scratch queens.
No they don't!

If people want to, that's fine, their choice, but certainly not everybody dies!!

@StarryNightSparkles

I wouldn't serve up aunt Bessie's potatoes, they're really not good! Do real ones before & chill or freeze them.

The Yorkshire are what I'd call a good mid week, make do, but not CD worthy. I'd make the batter the night before then it's just as easy to have fresh ones on the day. They'll know AB's aren't yours! I have tried the fresh/chilled ones, but as I said if you make the batter the night before it's just as quick to make fresh.

I'm vegetarian so it's been 30 years since I made meat gravy, but lots of good options above!!

Thanksagainand · 20/12/2021 01:05

Ooh roast pots sprinkled with whole garlic bulb cut in half and thin slices of lemon. Roast all together. Yum!

Thanksagainand · 20/12/2021 01:08

And real Yorkshire puds. So easy, and I like the sizzle when you pour them in. Reminds me of my gran.

Thanksagainand · 20/12/2021 01:08

Mind you Dh very excited about lidl turkey! Not quite fortnums. Sigh.

Taoneusa · 20/12/2021 01:21

Gravy granules can pass muster if you add red wine and cranberry sauce and a small teaspoon of mustard to them. Honestly!

Taoneusa · 20/12/2021 01:24

Oh, and for roasties just chop and par boil now and freeze them until the day. Same with parsnips, you can even roll your parsnips in Parmesan and freeze them, they’ll be fine. Xmas Smile

SpeckledlyHen · 20/12/2021 15:44

@LittleRoundRobin

I don't know why you are bothered *@StarryNightSparkles* or why you want to get approval on here. EVERYONE uses pre-made roast tatties, yorkie puds, and gravy granules. They just don't admit it and choose to lie about it, and pretend they're the cook-from-scratch queens.
I don't - so not everyone as you claim. Occasionally I will buy fresh gravy from the butchers but have never used or bought roast potatoes or yorkshire puddings.
hedgehogger1 · 20/12/2021 17:00

Scrap the granules and get the Tesco finest stuff that comes in a cup thing. Much better

Original poster
StarryNightSparkles · 20/12/2021 18:15

I am having total second thoughts about this idea now. Scared incase dinner ends up rubbish. Wondering if I should just prep everything on Christmas eve. I think the Christmas panic has set in.

OP posts:
SpeckledlyHen · 20/12/2021 18:52

@StarryNightSparkles - I think there are things you can cheat on and things you can't. To me personally I would cheat on the gravy (buy fresh from butchers or a good supermarket) and buy pigs in blankets and fresh stuffing (not a box of paxo) but I absolutely would not buy frozen potatoes or frozen yorkshire puddings. They both are surely the best bits on a roast.. I would also investigate "COOK" for a dessert as their stuff is literally like you made it yourself. If you were going to do a dessert that was not christmas pudding I would get one from there.

SpeckledlyHen · 20/12/2021 18:57

Saying that, I have just checked and COOK do a christmas pudding. My husband makes ours every year though so I don't have to bother with that job myself.

wildseas · 20/12/2021 19:40

The best cheat for roast potatoes is to buy the best new potatoes which you can find. Toss them in oil, plenty of salt and some rosemary and roast whole at 180 for 40 mins. No prep, no peeling, no par boiling, no faff and taste better than traditional roasties in my opinion.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 20/12/2021 19:45

@SpeckledlyHen, a couple of years ago DM bought the whole Christmas Dinner from Cook! Cost a fortune, but we all agreed for it to be in lieu of adult presents (she’s a terrible cook anyway).

SmellyOldPartridgeinaPearTree · 20/12/2021 20:00

@StarryNightSparkles

I am having total second thoughts about this idea now. Scared incase dinner ends up rubbish. Wondering if I should just prep everything on Christmas eve. I think the Christmas panic has set in.
Oh I have the Christmas panic too. I keep looking at the children's presents thinking they definitely don't have enough, they've got a sad miserable looking little lot and they'll be devastated.

I have to stop myself from running out and buying loads of crap at the last minute just so they have more to open! Because if I do that then I'll end up sitting on Christmas night thinking WHY did I buy so much that was so unnecessary!

You're doing the Christmas dinner version of my present panic buying Xmas Grin

faithfulbird20 · 20/12/2021 21:25

Pat on the back. You're right life is too short!! We'll done!

NeverChange · 20/12/2021 22:12

Try Tesco Finest Goose Fat Roast Potatoes.
They are from the fridge rather than the freezer and taste way better.

Motherdare · 20/12/2021 22:15

YABU to serve Yorkshire puddings with turkey but apart from that, your kitchen your rules!

PeaceONoeuf · 20/12/2021 22:26

I don’t have oven space in the double oven for Yorkshire’s so always bing the frozen ones in while everything else is being served. Granules because the kids are heathens. Only thing I make is roast potatoes - parboil the night before and refrigerate then take out to get to room temperature and cook.

HighlandCowbag · 20/12/2021 22:33

Op I can make everything from scratch. But chose my battles wisely.

Prep most veg Christmas eve afternoon. Use prepared pigs in blankets and stuffing. M and S prepared gravy. A crown rather than a full turkey takes a lot less time. Yorkshire puddings I make the batter the day before. Red cabbage in the slow cooker or made Christmas eve. Make cheese sauce Christmas eve or buy ready made cauliflower cheese. But from the chiller rather than frozen.

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