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Original poster

Prepping Veg on Christmas Eve

42 replies

Sparkle275 · 19/12/2021 17:12

I usually prep the veg on Christmas Day, getting up early before the kids to sort it all out. I'm wanting to do it Christmas Eve this year so that I can avoid all the hassle on the big day. I'm wondering how do other people keep their veg fresh overnight? I worry that I'll wake up Christmas morning and the veg be spoiled. Will it be fine in pans of water?

OP posts:
GoodnightGrandma · 19/12/2021 17:13

I just do my spuds and carrots, and put them in pans of water.

SpanielsAreMyLife · 19/12/2021 17:15

I've always prepped on Christmas Eve..... one of my DD's usually helps, we have christmas music on and a glass of something nice. I do the potatoes, veg and get everything ready to just put into the oven. And make the puddings.

ginslinger · 19/12/2021 17:16

I do all the veg and put it in pans/bowls of water and it is fine.

KatherineJaneway · 19/12/2021 17:17

I put mine in pans of water with some salt on the stove top. Next day I obviously drain the water amd refresh before cooking.

NannyR · 19/12/2021 17:18

I roasted the potatoes on Christmas eve last year, then just reheated them for lunch and they turned out surprisingly very good.

thatsallineed · 19/12/2021 17:19

Potatoes are fine, but if you put the veg in water overnight some of the goodness leaches out into the water, so save it for gravy.

Alternatively, prep the veg and put in food bags in the fridge ready to go. I sit watching telly on Christmas Eve with a knife, a colander and a tray on my lap, surrounded by veg. It's quite therapeutic.

Or get someone else to do it Grin

GertrudeBElion · 19/12/2021 17:19

Is it even Xmas Eve if there aren't pans of veg in cold water sitting on a pristine gleaming hob?

HelloDulling · 19/12/2021 17:21

Pans of water, or in plastic bags in the fridge. I always do mine in the afternoon while listening to Carols from Kings. An hour to myself, singing and chopping. One of my favourite Christmas moments.

DramaAlpaca · 19/12/2021 17:25

I put the spuds in a pan of water and the vegetables in plastic bags in the fridge overnight.

soundsystem · 19/12/2021 17:31

@DramaAlpaca

I put the spuds in a pan of water and the vegetables in plastic bags in the fridge overnight.
Yep, this
Stompythedinosaur · 19/12/2021 19:24

I do the same - pans of water.

Rainbowabacus1 · 19/12/2021 19:28

I use tubs (prep all on Christmas Eve). Will try and attach a pic.

Prepping Veg on Christmas Eve
Icecreaminwinter · 19/12/2021 19:31

Do you have to keep the prepped veg in the fridge?

Immaculatemisconception · 19/12/2021 19:33

I prep my veg on Christmas Eve, it's absolutely fine and doesn't spoil. I also cook my Yorkshire Puddings and Turkey on Christmas Eve.

MadMadMadamMim · 19/12/2021 19:35

We always do the veg on Christmas Eve - just leave it in pans of water and it's fine.

mumberry84 · 19/12/2021 19:37

@Immaculatemisconception how do you then reheat the Turkey the next day? Do you carve and then reheat the slices? I'd be interested in trying this, mostly catering for vegetarians so was thinking of getting a small Turkey breast joint ( which I'm v sad about but need the oven room! )

Immaculatemisconception · 19/12/2021 19:40

I do beef and turkey and cook the day before. On the day it's much easier to carve. I save juices from the meat, carve the meat, lay in a serving dish and pour some of the juice over it. I cover in tin foil and heat gentle in a low oven. No one ever realises it was cooked the day before.

DueOct30th · 19/12/2021 19:40

Have you watched the latest Mary berry - she preps all vege in a serving dish and then reheats covered in foil in the oven . Am going to follow this plan this year.

DueOct30th · 19/12/2021 19:41

Link www.gather-be.com/post/prepare-ahead-vegetable-platter

BarbaraofSeville · 19/12/2021 19:49

@Icecreaminwinter

Do you have to keep the prepped veg in the fridge?
It's probably best but if you have a car, the boot provides useful storage for this type of thing at this time of year.
NextChristmas · 19/12/2021 19:53

I always do the veg the day before. Potatoes usually I'll just peel and leave covered in water. Carrots and Brussels I'll usually cook and leave in the fridge to finish off just before dinner itself on Christmas day ie reheating but in their glazes.

Dilbertian · 19/12/2021 20:43

Here the peeling fairies get to work in the afternoon on Christmas Eve. In other words, our dc. They have been responsible for peeling and prepping all the veg that will be roasted, and the sprouts, since they were about 7. And since the youngest reached 7, the adults are no longer even involved. They leave the prepped root veg in bowls of acidulated water until ready to be cooked. Sometimes dh part-roasts them that evening, and just finishes them off the following day while the meat is resting.

It's cool enough at night that the bowls of veg in water can stay out on the kitchen counter. Even the part-cooked veg come to no harm on the counter overnight. Though greens, like sprouts etc, go back into the fridge.

Timeisavirtue · 19/12/2021 23:01

We started doing this about 5 years ago, it’s so much easier. We’ve even done the homemade yorkies last week and froze them. We do the honey roast gammon on Christmas Eve too.

Original poster
Sparkle275 · 20/12/2021 11:25

Thank you for all of your helpful responses. I'm definitely doing it all Christmas Eve to save all the hassle on Christmas Day. Hope you all have a lovely Christmas.

OP posts:
2catsandhappy · 20/12/2021 12:51

It is not Christmas without pre prepped veg and trying to work out which trays fit on what oven shelf.
Disposable foil trays are your best friend.
A lovely and hassle free Christmas to you @Sparkle275