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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Cooking for 12 people for the first time ever - tips please

23 replies

Butterflyone12e · 23/10/2019 13:32

I've offered to host Christmas this year so I need your tips for cooking for 12 people. It's 7 adults and 5 children (although they all eat big portions).

I can borrow a steamer, slow cooker and bay marie so I was thinking of prepping loads Christmas eve then cooking the veg Christmas morning and storing it in the bay marie but I'm worried about it getting over cooked?

Any suggestions on easy recipes and best planning places please? I want to be able to prep as much as possible so I can enjoy time with our guests.

OP posts:
Barbarara · 23/10/2019 13:42

If you are roasting meat it benefits from resting rather than serving straight away. You can wrap it in tinfoil and bath towels for an hour and it will be lovely.
This gives you lots of time, and oven space for roasties, veg and gravy.

Veg will cook at a lower temperature to roasties so I use oven for
1st turkey
2nd glazing a boiled ham and veggies
3rd roasties

If you don’t have a plate warmer you can stack plates on a saucepan of hot water on hob/ put them on pots if veg instead of lids/ pour hot water over them in sink/ use dishwasher

Timing is everything. Write it down!! Write it ALL down!! And, check it twice Wink

Work out what you have space for on hob/ microwave/ oven. Work out what cooking pans and dishes you have and serving dishes (I’ve planned to serve 3 different items simultaneously in the same dish before).

And remember that if you serve 1 type of veg you need 12 portions plus seconds. But if you serve 6 types of veg you need less of each!

KatherineJaneway · 23/10/2019 13:50

If you are serving a starter, make it something cold that can be prepared in advance and dished up quickly like prawn cocktail or smoked salmon.

Buy a Christmas pudding that can be microwaved, the same with the custard. Saves time so you can concentrate on the main roast.

I prep all the veg on Christmas Eve, buy in frozen Yorkshire puddings and this year I am buying mash ready made.

Brandaris · 23/10/2019 13:59

Not exactly cooking advice but large family catering advice- choose 2 or 3 competent and cheerful helpers then get the rest to bugger off for a walk or something for 1-2 hours before serving up so you aren’t distracted by spoony fuckers or pleasecanIhaveanothersliceoftoast requests.

Barbarara · 23/10/2019 14:09

@Brandaris so true!!!

TheSandgroper · 23/10/2019 14:11

I agree with write it all down. Count your serving plates, tongs, spoons. Clear sideboards. Does your camping table need to come out?

Do not run out of toilet paper, soap or paper towels. A good family activity in a couple of weeks is to get out your best of everything to count, inspect and give a quick wash for freshening.

Brian9600 · 23/10/2019 14:12

Cook your turkey early and let it rest. Frees the oven up for everything else and it won’t go cold (and even if it did no one would notice if the gravy is hot).

Disfordarkchocolate · 23/10/2019 14:18

If I have guests I part cook and freeze potatoes, carrots and parsnips in foil trays.

I make Jamies get ahead gravy, I think you'll 2 batches. I always leave out the star anise and spend longer browning the gravy than he suggests.

If we have cauliflower cheese I buy ready-made or do the day before.

Starters are always simple ie prawn cocktail, soup, pate.

I can't carve so I always get a boned and rolled turkey, it still looks lovely. When the meat comes out things that need to be crispy go in the oven.

I have a food warner (ok 2) that I use so people can serve themselves.

Enjoy the day, it will be fine. It's just a normal Sunday dinner with a few extras.

sofato5miles · 23/10/2019 14:19

You will be fine. Do a ham the day before ( I do Jamie Oliver marmalade, and add a layer of english mustard underneath. ) The turkey in in the morning, adding pigs in blankets. Then peel the veggies. Parboil the potatoes and cauliflower (separately!). Make/ buy a cheese sauce for the cauliflower . Potatoes can go in as Turkey comes out. Heat a couple of big pans of water for the rest of the vegetables to go in after you finish the starter and get someone else to carve.

Starter: I cheat with smoke salmon terrine and buttered bread.

Notyetthere · 23/10/2019 14:19

Roast potatoes for that many people take twice as long to roast than your usual ones for Sunday dinner. I seem to fall foul of this most years.

I will share the rest of my tips later on after work. I have hosted christmas up to 23 people one year so lots learnt from these christmas threads over the years. I have only 7 people this year which is the lowest number I have ever hosted in the last 6 years.

lifeyouchose · 23/10/2019 14:23

Spreadsheet, spreadsheet, spreadsheet.

Yes yes to only cheerful helpers, competence is a bonus.

Can make a lot more in advance and freeze it - sausage meat stuffing parcels, gravy, cranberry sauce, for example.

Don't bother with a sit down starter, just do some nice and easy hot and cold nibbles for a less competent helper to circulate in order to fuck off out your kitchen if necessary

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 23/10/2019 14:34

If you're having Christmas pudding, that can be heating up in the slow cooker all morning somewhere out of the way, and will be fine until needed.

I do Chantenay carrrots in a foil parcel in the oven. Wash the carrots, top and tail them, no need to peel, just remove any grotty looking bits. Halve any really big ones. Lay on foil, squeeze an orange over them, season well with salt and pepper, sprinkle over a bit of dried tarragon, drizzle with a little oil (or butter). Bring up sides of foil to make a parcel. Place on oven proof dish or baking tin and put at the bottom of the oven for an hour or so. Foolproof and very tasty. You could easily do this with ordinary carrots in batons or slices (slices would need less cooking).

Brussels sprouts for 12 will take a bit of time to prepare - that's a good one to get out of the way the day before, but cook them not long before serving up time or they'll go mushy.

We don't greatly care for red cabbage but I can see the big advantage it has is that you can make it in advance and it will taste better for being re-heated on the day. Pre-made cauliflower cheese also easy to re-heat.

If you're having Yorkshire puddings, unless you're brilliant at making them, I'd buy ready-made and re-heat at the last minute. Not a day for stressing about whether they'll rise if you're not confident!

stucknoue · 23/10/2019 14:35

Do your prep the day before, roast veg tray (carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes) day before, roast potatoes tray on day, take out with the meat, cover in foil and reheat the roast veg if you only have one oven. Steam rest of veg in a 3 tier steamer. Stuffing, pigs in blankets etc can be cooked whilst turkey is resting. I make cranberry sauce but buy gravy

sofato5miles · 23/10/2019 14:36

I regularly cook for 20 plus, maybe 20 times a year. The trick is to relax, remember it's just a meal and just keep on top of it. A list of times can be great, in case you get i usually do a bit keen on the champagne.
I allow 1 hour 20 for the potatoes and always heat the fat first.

BiddyPop · 23/10/2019 15:31

Make sure that however many types of vegetables you plan to do, that there is at least one type that each person will eat. But don't feel you need loads of different types - one or 2 favourites would be sufficient, 3 at the most.

Sometimes, especially when you might have limited oven space, you might find doing a pot of mashed potato to supplement the roasties can be useful.

Someone already mentioned that you should take out the meat an hour before carving so, as long as you have them already prepped at that stage, you can cook roasties and roast veg dishes etc in the oven once the meat is out without any pressure. Put the meat on the carving dish, cover in a layer of tinfoil, and then put a couple of bathtowels folded up over that to keep the heat in and it will still be steaming hot after an hour. (Check the carving dish periodically to drain off any juices coming out, so you can add those to the gravy!!).

I usually prep my veggies and potatoes the day before and mostly store soaking in water in pots or plastic tubs (potatoes, carrots, sprouts) but some things are put into airtight plastic tubs with no water (parsnips, onions, peppers, mushrooms, courgettes). I usually have them already chopped, but sometimes not (e.g. I often peel but don't chop garlic ahead of time).

Things that will go straight into the oven without any boiling, I may store them in a Ziploc bag with any oil and seasoning on them already (e.g. baby potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, chopped rosemary and garlic granules). Or I may have the herbs chopped and put them with the rest of their seasonings in a smaller airtight plastic tub (e.g. oil, salt, pepper, juice of a clementine, thyme, marjoram and garlic - for pouring over roasted root veg including carrots after their initial steaming for 15 minutes).

It might be useful to buy tin foil roasting dishes if your oven space is tight and you don't have a lot of roasting dishes, as you may be washing and reusing them otherwise.

2 easy veg that require minimal prep as additional sides are:
Frozen petits pois peas - remove from freezer and tip into a bowl to allow to thaw in the room for the morning, shortly before serving drain off defrosting water and cover with boiling water in the bowl, just cooks them perfectly, drain off water to serve.

Baby spinach - put the leaves into a metal colander or large metal sieve - wash thoroughly and let drain. Immediately before serving, pour an entire kettle of boiling water around and through the colander/sieve and let it drain in to the sink. I tend to then press the spinach to remove some excess water. Spinach is now perfectly wilted.

Think about your dishes for cooking and serving.

Will you want the same pot for 3 different things? If so, will that be at 3 different times (so having someone on washup duty will get around that) or are 2 things supposed to cook at the same time (uh oh - need an extra pot!)?
How many things will be passed around the table? Do you have enough bowls, serving spoons, jugs for gravy etc? Is it better to have 2 smaller bowls of 1 thing that everyone will want (1 for each end of the table) but 1 bowl of a less favourite item might be ok to pass all the way around?

Should you have 2 or 3 jugs for gravy? Can a couple of ordinary milk jugs be used as well as gravy boats, and washed before being used later for tea/coffee etc?

I always recommend when doing a big meal to have the kitchen sink full of hot sudsy water as much as possible, to be able to throw in the various things as you finish with them (or in the odd spare quiet patches) and get them washed and out of the way. Someone might dry up as you go, or come and clear occasionally. But getting the washing done can be a HUGE benefit to keeping surfaces clear to work on and being able to get the various tools/pots/utensils etc back to use again for something else.

Just make sure that, if someone kindly volunteers to be a "washer-upper" for you, that YOU put the things to be washed beside the sink in the designated washup area, and they don't just TAKE things from the work surfaces that look finished with (because you might not be finished with that particular knife or spoon yet).

Having plenty of clean and dry tea towels, hand towels, cloths for wiping the worktop and spills (and a roll of kitchen towel for this too), and spare oven gloves and aprons, can be helpful if you have people likely to offer to help you.

BUT be clear about WHO is doing WHAT!!

No one else just wanders in and opens the oven door or chops the carrots into slices when you wanted batons or covers the part-baked rolls in poppyseeds when you intended to use sesame seeds or knew Great-Uncle David hates seeds in his dentures so weren't using any this time.....they all ask YOU what they can do that is helpful.
(And have a list of all that you need to do, with timings, but also a mark against things that you are happy for others to do - whether you allocate those beforehand to make sure everyone helps or on the day to people who want to help).

You can also do lots beforehand that make it a little easier. I know some people prep their roast potatoes to the boiled/steamed, drained, basted and shaken stage and then freeze ready to just put straight into the oven; or make their gravy (Jamie Oliver's recipe has been mentioned more than once here!); or prep their sprouts or red cabbage dishes to just reheat on the day.

Making flavoured butter early is another good one - let butter soften at room temperature and add your seasoning(s) - pepper, garlic, herbs, lemon zest/juice, clementine zest, ….- you can do 2 or 3 different ones if you like to suit different things. Then once mixed, put the butter in the middle of some greaseproof paper, gently shape into approximately a log and then roll, twist the ends, store in fridge for a few days or freezer for a few weeks (or months in my house!).

Enjoy.
Don't forget to build in time to take a breather.
Make sure someone is on duty to keep the chef entertained (not everyone in another room) and watered (whether that's actual water, fizz, or any other beverage in between).

BiddyPop · 23/10/2019 15:32

And most importantly, make sure someone is in charge of the washup brigade for afterwards, and that they know to get lots of others involved, but NOT YOU!!!

Butterflyone12e · 23/10/2019 15:32

You ladies are angels!! Thank you so much for the tips. I'm off to credit a spread sheet now :-)

OP posts:
Thehollyandtheirony · 23/10/2019 17:17

Write a backwards timeline! Helps so much with timings.
Get lots of nibbles in. They will keep people satisfied if they have to wait longer than expected. Make sure they are very easy to heat/assemble/ plate/ whatever.
Don't stress too much if your timings are off on the day. You're not running a restaurant, your guests can cope with something a bit cold or reheated. It's supposed to be fun.

Gazelda · 23/10/2019 17:37

I love my Christmas spreadsheet! I update it every year.
It includes all the timings in order so that I can print it out and stick it on the wall for Christmas Day.
If I get sidetracked by a glass of wine, others (DH or sis usually) can see at a glance if something needs doing.
It also list all of the crockery, cutlery, serving dishes, pans etc.

DD and DH are in responsible for setting the table - it isn't as 'nice' as I'd like it, but I grit my teeth.
I put a big plastic box outside for storing drinks and the veg if it's not frosty.
Prep veg the day before.
I make gravy, cauliflower cheese, cranberry sauce, mince pies etc earlier in dec and freeze. I make a note on the spreadsheet so I don't forget to defrost them!
We've never had starters for Christmas dinner.
Put someone else I charge of drinks for guests.
I always have a couple of large vases handy because I know MIL will bring flowers and I can't face the thought of arranging them while I'm trying to brown the parsnips.
Find out when your supermarket is releasing delivery slots if your planning online order. Get your slot booked and turkey reserved ASAP.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 24/10/2019 14:19

Write out a timetable, working backwards from when when you want to sit down to eat, including everything, e.g. spuds on to parboil (for roasties), and switching the oven on to preheat for the roast.

Then write it out in time order, and stick it on the front of the fridge, or anywhere else it won't get lost/splashed with oil.

I've cooked countless Christmas dinners and still do this every time.

If you're having turkey, it can easily rest for an hour wrapped in foil with tea towels on top. If you can, rest it upside down so that the juices drain into the breast, not out of it. That hour gives loads of time for nice crispy potatoes and doing the other veg.

Keep it fairly simple - personally I wouldn't be doing umpteen different veggies and 3 sorts of potatoes.

You can make stuffing and pigs in blankets and freeze well in advance.

We never have ours now until about 5 - far less of a rush for the cook(s). I've done 3 pm in the past, but IMO trying to have it on the table for 1 pm ish is sheer masochism! And most,people just won't be hungry enough after (often) a late breakfast and all the Christmas morning nibbles.

Chichichacha · 24/10/2019 22:51

Use disposable foil trays where possible - stuffing, red cabbage, potatoes etc. They make life so much easier.
Make and freeze ahead (in the foil trays) as much as you can - stuffing, red cabbage, Jamie’s get ahead gravy etc.
Most of the veg can be prepared the day/evening before and stored in the fridge.
Set the table/s the evening before if possible.
Weeks beforehand (now) count/organise cutlery, crockery, napkins, pans, glasses, chairs etc.

Barbarara · 25/10/2019 00:32

A couple more:

If you are cooking turkey, you need to know the weight of the bird in order to calculate cooking time. Don’t just assume that the label is correct, and if you stuff it, weigh it after the stuffing is in.

A luggage scale and a sturdy plastic bag is ideal but failing that weigh yourself on a bathroom scale and weigh yourself holding the turkey.

If you stuff the cavity, push a metal skewer all the way through to the bone which will direct heat into the middle of the bird and ensure it’s all cooked.

I stitch the bird closed with thick black thread and a darning needle, threaded before I start stuffing. It’s easy to see and remove at the end.

If you use a frozen turkey, research defrosting times. It takes days, not hours (want to guess how I learned this?!). Defrost in the fridge, not on the side. You don’t need to wash the turkey but if you feel you have to use a damp cloth rather than splashing salmonella germs all over your sink and kitchen!

Organise the day around your cooking timetable as regards church, walks etc. Be ruthless! Chef’s prerogative and all that.

No one will care if you don’t make it all from scratch. They probably will care if you have a nervous breakdown in the kitchen so take whatever shortcuts you need, up to and including ordering Chinese takeaway.

FluffyAlpaca19 · 25/10/2019 07:57

My neighbour gets her husband to pack a festive picnic lunch (sausage rolls, starter stuff & flask of hot choc). Then he takes all the kids & guests out to the local woods/Park to test out their new outdoor toys. This gives her the 2 hour space s he needs to get her shit together without killing anyone!

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 25/10/2019 08:09

I have to say in 30+ years of roasting a turkey at Christmas I've never felt the need to sew it up! Washing it is a very bad idea from a food hygiene point of view. Patting it dry with kitchen paper if the skin is damp is fine.

I know lots of people say you shouldn't stuff the bird, but I stuff neck and body, allow for the weight of the stuffing in calculating cooking times, and start it off at a high heat in a pre-heated oven. Never had any problems with it at all. I'm not cooking a monster bird, though.

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