I don’t want to cook but I’m hosting. What’s the best pre-made?

[broceaulys]

No option to eat out because I’ve baby twins and a toddler. Hosting for the kids, me & DH, my parents and my sis. I would love to do the works from scratch and I did when I only had DD but with baby twins it’s just out of the question. Do I go all M&S? Or all Waitrose? Is there anything where shop bought just isn’t as good?

[raisinseverywhere]

Does anyone know the best way to do stuffing in advance? I usually do just do the paxo stuffing separately to the turkey and then slice it and put it on platter with the turkey. Can I do it the day before, refrigerate and then heat up in oven or microwave?

[rosydreams]

i use pre made stuffing just shove in oven

groceries.morrisons.com/webshop/product/Morrisons-Butchers-Style-Pork-Sage--Onion-Stuffing-Chubb/383448011?param=pork+stuffing&from=search

[DookofBust]

I make my own stuffing v easy to make ahead. Make some breadcrumbs, chop an onion into tiny pieces and sauté. Add breadcrumbs, lots of butter, salt, pepper and herbs of choice. Add a bit of stick if it looks too dry. When it is cold add sausagemeat and an egg or two depending on how much you are making. Take it out of the fridge an hour or two before you need to cook it.

[LadyMonicaBaddingham]

Make and freeze:

Cranberry Sauce to defrost
Sausagemeat Stuffing (divide what you're putting in the bird and cooking separately) defrost before cooking
Parboiled potatoes coated in dripping/lard/goose fat
Parboiled Parsnips coated in grated cheese and breadcrumbs (Delia)

Peel/chop all your veggies on Christmas eve and have them all set out on bowls

You can do this, it'll take planning but you can!

[Pepperwand]

You can mix packet stuffing with sausage meat (just squeeze the meat out of some nice sausages) then roll into balls and freeze. Cook in oven straight from frozen, they're great and taste lovely but are super easy.

[MistressMind]

I'm sure M&S or Waitrose would be fine.

It's a roast dinner with bought packs of ready made pigs in blankets, stuffing balls and fresh gravy. Use frozen roast potatoes and parsnips if you like. It doesn't need to be any more complicated than that.

Other ways to simplify - cooking the meat the previous day and reheating ready-sliced in gravy is quick and gives excellent texture and flavour. Like a PP we also use a steamer for the veg. It's very forgiving on the timings.

I would go for a simple roast dinner with a few bought extras, and focus your spending on lots of ready made stuff for your evening meal - cheese, mince pies, dips etc.