Christmas

[mariposa23]

Hi everyone,
What do u prep before Christmas Day food wise?
I find Christmas Day I'm in & out the kitchen & missing things going on because I'm busy prepping for lunch. I'd love to be able to do things in the days leading up to Christmas Day, I'm not a great cook but I like to try my best.
Thanks

Sign up family to help, pre-cook and slice meat.

We usually have around 12-16 for dinner.

On Christmas Eve, I prep all veg, peel spuds and leave in pans. Stuffing is already made and in the freezer and so on CE I put it onto trays to defrost and make the pigs and blankets and put them on trays too. All are stacked on top of each other in the fridge (I use old kids bricks to separate the trays). I'll make the gravy next week and freeze. Cranberry sauce is bought, not made & we don't do bread sauce. I also make a dessert on CE which then sits in the fridge and we buy a microwavable Christmas pud. I aim to have all prep done by CE lunch. We then eat out. I don't do any proper cooking on CE.

ON Christmas Day DH is on dishwasher duty and fills up and empties whenever I shout so it isn't chaotic. I have a schedule and set an alarm for the next thing each time I put something in/take it out. I used to tick it off as I did it but I'm on it now. The last hour is always busy though so I just decamp with the wine bottle and DH for company.

The two game changers for me were a 3 tray electric food warmer so when something's done it can come out of the oven and it just stays warm without me worrying that other things aren't ready and an extra shelf for the oven.

Paddlingwhenishouldbeworking
Do you just store your veg in the fridge or put water with your potatoes or anything to stop them drying out? Thanks

I keep it in pans in the water with lids on overnight. Not sure if that's the correct thing to do but it was what my parents did. I actually roast most of the veg and don't bother parboiling so just drain and tip into the roasting trays, with maple syrup drizzled over the parsnips as per Nigella!

Par boil your roast potatoes and parsnips and they will keep in the fridge ready for cooking the next day. I make red cabbage in the slow cooker as it then needs no attention, you can make it the day before and reheat. I do trifle for the pudding haters, I make the jelly/fruit/sponge part on Christmas Eve so it can set overnight and I make the custard on Christmas Eve too so it can cool and set in the fridge. Give it a quick stir before pouring on the jelly Christmas morning. I buy frozen sprouts. You could also buy prepared veg to save you doing it.
I also set the table Christmas Eve.

Oh yes I do parboil the potatoes, its the other veg I don't. Never tried parboiling them the day before, was put off by a freezing debacle! Might try that though. What do you do, just drain them ? What do you store them in ?

This article has a few good ideas and tips cooking ahead and freezing

I put a pan of water on to boil, throw the veg in, bring back to the boil then simmer for eight minutes. Pour into a colander and leave it until the steam has gone (the steam dries the veg) then I put it in a glass Pyrex bowl, cover and put in the fridge. It's ready for cooking the next day.