Christmas food prep but not the big day!

[Swifey40]

We have people staying with us for nearly two weeks at Christmas, bit not the same people! So, some come for just one night, and some come for three etc. We like to go on long walks, go to a museum, down to the beach etc, so I prep lots of meals and freeze them so I don't spend all my time in the kitchen not enjoying all the festivities.
My list from last year is:-
Pork and cider casserole
Venison casserole (Delia one I think)
Slow roasted lamb
A chilli (we sometimes have this outside with a big fire)
Lots of mini sausage rolls, Palmer's, cheese biscuits and mince pies

Do you have any go to recipes that can go in the freezer, savoury and/or sweet so I can get nicely organised?
Tia

BidyPop - my apologies, it came up on my 'active conversations'. Thought it was a bit bizarre...I generally avoid anything to do with it until I can't avoid it anymore.

As you were.....

So many great ideas!

My fave winter soup is smoked sweet potato

I would also think about making pigs in blankets and other hot-but-small things. These can bulk up a mean of leftovers and cheese and are often all people really want.

Also, pickles and chutneys. If you make some interesting ones you won’t regret it as they can lift a boring meal really easily, provided that you avoid the endless malt-vinegar and raisin ones.

A raclette might work. Put some reblouchon on it and some cubed meat and serve with fresh bread , salad and pickles.

If you look at Delia’s Christmas she has loads of guides to what freezes well - in her newer version she maps out two weeks and does a suggested meal plan each day. I can personally recommend the truffle torte and it freezes like a dream.

I have the original Delia's Christmas, has she got a new one? Truffle torte sounds delicious!

Ah I love this thread! Our freezer prep for Xmas generally extends to gravy base and sausage rolls, plus a few simple meals. Last year we made mini cheese scones (I think the recipe was from a newspaper?!) and gingerbread too. I would recommend! Really handy for those "peckish" moments after a good walk.

And do add, Delia has a really nice cheese, onion and olive scone recipe. Sadly I had to stick to cheese as we have a lot of fussy eaters.

Delia did an updated version, a few new recipes and few updates - the truffle torte is in both - it is easy as anything and so so good.

I've never frozen jackets before? Do you cook them fully? And then how do you reheat? I have an aga, would they crisp up again do you think?
The ready-frozen potatoes are excellent. You can microwave or oven cook them. I usually microwave, then stick them in the oven for 10 minutes or so to crisp the skins.

Question re Christmas prep. This year I am think of doing delicious snacky jars of nuts with sugar/spice mix (homemade, but I don’t have a recipe in mind).

How long in advance can they be made?