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Christmas

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Original poster

Xmas Dinner for 8, single oven - tips?

21 replies

AwkwardPaws27 · 22/12/2021 14:43

Actually Boxing Day, 7 adults and one toddler. Last minute reshuffle due to other family members having covid so we are now hosting the rest.

Mix of dietary requirements so no turkey, I'm planning to cheat on the main & do a salmon wellington & a vegan nut roast, hopefully get those on one rack.

I've got no hope of laying out that many roast potatoes, parsnips and carrots in a single layer - any tips on getting them to crisp up if they are piled up??

Stuffing and yorkshires on the 3rd rack because they are both brilliant.
Gravy granules for ease, red cabbage on the hob.

Mince pies, crackers, cheese selection and vegan pate for nibbles.

What am I missing?

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DelphiniumBlue · 22/12/2021 15:14

I do Christmas dinner every year for what is now 10 adults with a single oven.
I am doing turkey, which is easier because you can cook it and then let it stand for an hour while the roast potatoes are doing. That might work with the nut roast, but the pastry on the salmon might go a bit soggy if it's left to stand for too long after cooking. Maybe slightly undercook it, then put it on the top shelf for 5 minutes on a high heat at the end.
You can parboil the potatoes and parsnips so that the roasting time is reduced. You could even cook the parsnips in advance and heat them in a microwave if you have one, they don't really need to be crisp, it's the potatoes you really have to worry about.

I do carrots on the hob, lightly boiled then tossed in a little butter and cinnamon. You could do this in a frying pan if you wanted them slightly crisp, I guess.
Meanwhile, I've bought red cabbage for the first time this year, what do you do with yours?

Original poster
AwkwardPaws27 · 22/12/2021 15:26

I did this, minus the star anise, last year and its was lovely - www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/red-cabbage-apples

We don't have a microwave. I normally roast carrots and parsnips, but might have to do the carrots on the hob for space! I'll give spacing priority to the spuds for crispness and the parsnips might have to be a bit soft 🙂

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DelphiniumBlue · 22/12/2021 15:33

Thanks, that looks very tasty!

elaeocarpus · 22/12/2021 15:49

Ive done triple cooked roasted potatoes before 1. Parboil, chill or freeze onight. 2. Roast, cold/from frozen; chill 3. Final roast on day to crisp

Original poster
AwkwardPaws27 · 22/12/2021 15:52

@elaeocarpus

Ive done triple cooked roasted potatoes before 1. Parboil, chill or freeze onight. 2. Roast, cold/from frozen; chill 3. Final roast on day to crisp
Oooo thank you. That sounds potentially a good idea - assuming the last round of roasting is pretty short?
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Roselilly36 · 22/12/2021 15:54

If you don’t have a microwave, perhaps buy a mini oven? Cheap to buy in Argos etc and just gives DH an extra bit of oven space.

AliceMcK · 22/12/2021 16:03

Is the vegan going to be ok with their food cooked with the salmon?

I’d cook the nut roast first and wrap in foil as soon as it comes out before putting the salmon in. Should give you room to add something extra to the shelf too. Yorkshire puds I’d put in after everything comes out as if your using ready made ones they only take a few mins and they can be done while your getting everything else ready for the table.

Bessica · 22/12/2021 16:16

My top tip is to cook stuff as near as ready then take it out, bung something else in and rotate round then at the end I load the oven up with everything to warm it through. Its tried and tested and never failed me yet! Lol

Original poster
AwkwardPaws27 · 22/12/2021 16:52

Is the vegan going to be ok with their food cooked with the salmon?

Would same oven, different shelf be an issue? Why?

OP posts:
yikesanotherbooboo · 22/12/2021 17:01

I would probably try to find 1 main protein but if dietary requirements don't allow I would alter the veg. Cook carrots on the hob.
Ditch the parsnips? Do greens or red cabbage also slowly on hob or braised in a slow cooker if you have such a thing. Then you only have three shelves in use .

Original poster
AwkwardPaws27 · 22/12/2021 17:09

I'm going to see what Aldi have - DH isn't usually great with nut roasts but they might have something he can try (pescatarian due to having IBS, can't cope with red meat, poultry, stone fruit, legumes, onion... bit of a nightmare!).

Ditch the parsnips?

Nooooo. They are my favourite bit.

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florentina1 · 22/12/2021 17:26

I cook my roast potatoes on the hob until I am ready to blast them at the oven last 15 minute. I boil them until the are half done. Lay them out to drain and dry.completely. I heat an old roasting pan on the hob put some olive oil or cooking oil and heat it. Then I put in the potatoes and turn them until nail they’ve are slightly crisp. I put them to one side. This can be done earlier n the day. Then 15 minutes before serving I turn the oven full put butter on the potatoes.they come out golden crispy brown.

florentina1 · 22/12/2021 17:28

They go in with the yorkies

Original poster
AwkwardPaws27 · 22/12/2021 17:40

@florentina1

I cook my roast potatoes on the hob until I am ready to blast them at the oven last 15 minute. I boil them until the are half done. Lay them out to drain and dry.completely. I heat an old roasting pan on the hob put some olive oil or cooking oil and heat it. Then I put in the potatoes and turn them until nail they’ve are slightly crisp. I put them to one side. This can be done earlier n the day. Then 15 minutes before serving I turn the oven full put butter on the potatoes.they come out golden crispy brown.
Thank you, that sounds like a great idea with the potatoes, will definitely try that
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Original poster
AwkwardPaws27 · 22/12/2021 17:41

@AwkwardPaws27

Is the vegan going to be ok with their food cooked with the salmon?

Would same oven, different shelf be an issue? Why?

DH has confirmed his aunt has had no issue in the past with this, phew!
OP posts:
Otherpeoplesteens · 23/12/2021 09:37

I'd just ditch the stuffing and Yorkshire pudding. Both unnecessary for that menu.

Original poster
AwkwardPaws27 · 23/12/2021 10:11

It's all off now Sad bloody covid.

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Palavah · 23/12/2021 10:13

Oh boo! Are you making yourself a nice meal anyway?

Original poster
AwkwardPaws27 · 23/12/2021 10:19

Yes, we'll cook for ourselves Xmas day (got something fancy-looking involving fish from Aldi), possibly still having two visitors boxing day (although I think it's looking unlikely) so have a salmon wellington aside for that.
I'm hoping we get to visit my mum on Xmas eve, pending everyone's LFTs, otherwise its looking a lot like last Christmas.

OP posts:
AliceMcK · 23/12/2021 11:17

@AwkwardPaws27

Is the vegan going to be ok with their food cooked with the salmon?

Would same oven, different shelf be an issue? Why?

Some veggies and vegans don’t like their food being cooked with the flesh of animals, especially something strong smelling like salmon. My dB and his family are veggie and never eat anything cooked at other peoples houses, they always bring their own. Once he brought his own frying pan to make his veggie sausages so he didn’t have to cook them in a pan meat had been cooked in.

I’d just check with the person first in case they have an issue with it,

Original poster
AwkwardPaws27 · 23/12/2021 12:40

Thanks Alice. We don't eat mammal/bird meat due to DHs intolerance so hadn't occurred to me that might be an issue for some people.
DHs aunt isn't coming now, but DH said his dad (who usually hosts) only has a single oven & it's never been an issue there so looks like we are ok for future Smile

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