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Christmas

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Original poster

Um. I have to cook Christmas dinner this year oh dear...

55 replies

Smurfgirl · 22/11/2006 22:08

I have never ever ever cooked Christmas dinner before. I have actually never cooked for more than 2 people before (without making a big lasagne of something). Oh dear.

It will be me and dp and a couple we are v.close to the two men are v.big eaters but not into their veg. I am the only one out of us that can cook decently so it will prob fall to me. We have a single oven and a steamer and a microwave will this be ok?

Am v.worried, I am not the best cook really I try but am still learning I guess. I want it to be nice for everyone but am scared I won't manage the timings etc.

I don't even know how to cook Turkey ffs. Or real gravy.

Am quite sad that we can't be at my parents really.

OP posts:
Original poster
Smurfgirl · 22/11/2006 22:17

Ok starters will be homemade veg soup made before and reheated on the day - no issues. Will this work?

Then-
Turkey
Roast pots
Mash
Veg - roast parsnips - how? is it like normal roast veg? which veg to do?
Stuffing - do i have to put it in the chicken?
dp wants homemade bread sauce - how? I have never even heard of it
sausages and bacon - will buy i think

pudding - chistmas pudding i think? with sauce (my dad makes some usually what would it be?)

v.much wine!

Have 2 shelves in oven, it is quite small really...

Feel stupid asking this, I do cook v.regularly but because its just the two of us am no good at bulk stuff and because of the lads will need to cook enough for 6 really.

OP posts:
TheHighwayCod · 22/11/2006 22:18

dont do a starter
are you mad?

TheHighwayCod · 22/11/2006 22:18

"dp wants homemade bread sauce - how? I have never even heard of it"

tekll dp to make it then

Gingerbear · 22/11/2006 22:18

or do it properly, like Delia told you, you naughty packet-mistress.

TheHighwayCod · 22/11/2006 22:18

sausaged and bacon a pice of piss to make the day before
parnips yotu do liek roast potatoes

Gingerbear · 22/11/2006 22:21

Delia - how to roast turkey

Gingerbear · 22/11/2006 22:22

Bread sauce

Original poster
Smurfgirl · 22/11/2006 22:22

Thanks Am in town tomorrow will buy magazines and look at Delia (wonder if my mum has it?)

Am away from 20th dec to Christmas eve, if I buy a fresh turkey to be delivered on 19th will it be ok for Christmas day?

Do online shopping at Sainsburys so this will cut down on stress.

Know its silly to be worried but just feel a bit overwelhmed, have been v.studenty until this year. Will need to buy some more pans I think, only have 2!

OP posts:
Gingerbear · 22/11/2006 22:23

roast veg

Skribble · 22/11/2006 22:24

Ideas for the whole meal

Original poster
Smurfgirl · 22/11/2006 22:24

Oh and suggested no starters but everyone said 'oh no we have to' friends have v.lax food hygiene so don't think i want them to do anything foodwise first unfortunately!

OP posts:
Gingerbear · 22/11/2006 22:24

What time are you back Christmas eve? You need to get cracking with the veg and bits and pieces before hand!

ilovecaboose · 22/11/2006 22:24

bread sauce is easy and can be made in advance

Turkey = best to get a crown and make stuffing balls and cook around it rather than stuffing it. Also can do sausages in bacon around it as well.

Roast veg - root veg (carrots, parsnips, swede anything you like) and can do potatoes in with it. Honey dressing is just honey drizzled over it. Get big oven tray and you can cook loads in it.

Have you got a hob? If not might be difficult to make bread sauce and gravy. But you can buy nice made up gravy that you just heat up in most supermarkets.

Do dry run. But definately get a current food mag cos it will tell you best way to cook turkey and how to sort out timings and everything.

Original poster
Smurfgirl · 22/11/2006 22:25

Delia is v.helpful, have been looking at Sainsburys website looks good! Are their recipes good?

How do you work out turkey cooking times?

OP posts:
Gingerbear · 22/11/2006 22:26

on weight - so many minutes per kilo, plus 30 minutes

Original poster
Smurfgirl · 22/11/2006 22:26

Gingerbear we are back at prob 8pm! Not worried about staying up late to do veg though.

OP posts:
ilovecaboose · 22/11/2006 22:27

this might be useful

how to work out size of turkey and cooking times

Gingerbear · 22/11/2006 22:27

Stick to Delia - simple, not faffy like Sainsbo's.
You could do blue string soup as a starter (like Bridget Jones?)

Skribble · 22/11/2006 22:27

My top tip is.....

the supermarkets and M&S do loads of really good ready prepared stuff, don't be proud. If you are not used to doing big meals Christmas day might not be the best day to try to do the full thing from scratch, cheat a bit and enjoy the day. Next year you can do more your self, or better still go to someone elses next year .

Gingerbear · 22/11/2006 22:29

Turkey might be a problem - bought on 19th fresh - it might pong a bit by 25th

Crystaltips · 22/11/2006 22:29

M&S are BRILLIANT ...

helped me out really well ... ( tho' pricey )...

... so for the rest of the week I ate cereal

Original poster
Smurfgirl · 22/11/2006 22:29

LOL gingerbear! Am tempted!

When I mention buying stuff everyone says oooooh no its got to be homemade - not when its bloody me buying it!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Smurfgirl · 22/11/2006 22:30

Sorry meant to type -

When I mention buying stuff everyone says oooooh no its got to be homemade - not when its bloody me MAKING it!!

OP posts:
Gingerbear · 22/11/2006 22:30

And are any of these 'oh it has to be homemade' types willing to help out?
They won't know the difference!

Original poster
Smurfgirl · 22/11/2006 22:34

NOOOOOO gingerbear! Well dp is making the roast poatoes!

How long does the roast sit out of the oven for before serving?

OP posts: