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Christmas

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First time cooking Christmas dinner - HELP!

73 replies

Ineedachangerightnow · 19/12/2022 12:31

Please be kind and help me break down what I need to do without breaking down. I only have a few people to cater for but it's the first time I've ever cooked Christmas dinner and I want to get it right.

OP posts:
Pyvadanya · 19/12/2022 13:48

I cook absolutely everything the day before. The next day I plate everyone's up and microwave.it literally takes me the entire day to cook on Christmas Eve and I wouldn't dream of spending all Christmas Day cooking. By chance, I woke up on two consecutive Christmas mornings feeling very unwell and needed to go back to bed for a few hours (I don't drink so not a hangover). I was so grateful I could just plate up once I came round!

BigFatLiar · 19/12/2022 13:52

Don't forget you'll have breakfast/brunch as well. Lots of people have special Christmas breakfasts, we're peasants we have bacon and egg rolls.

WarningToTheCurious · 19/12/2022 13:56

Make the stuffing the day before and cook separately from the turkey in the oven so it comes out crispy.

Blenheimprincess · 19/12/2022 14:48

@Ineedachangerightnow I think you want timings so here you go!

Turkey. Right, let's assume for 6 you've ordered a 5-6lb turkey. This will take 20 minutes per pound so about 2 hours ish plus resting of 20 minutes ish. There's a calculator here:

www.cookingtimes.co.uk/meat/turkey/whole

So if you want to eat at 5pm the turkey needs to come out at about 4.30 - 4.40pm and rest until 5pm-ish.

Which means it needs to go in at 2.30pm or thereabouts. IIWY I'd put the stuffing in the turkey as it's one less thing to cook. But weigh it with the stuffing in it and adjust time accordingly, it might need to go up a bit as it'll take longer.

Roast potatoes. These will take about an hour plus par boiling, depending on how big you cut them up. So you'll need to get them in the oven at 4pm to eat at 5pm. Which means you need to start par boiling them at 3.45pm. To do this, peel them, cut them into halves and run cold water over them to wash off the starch. Then put them in a pan, pour boiling water over them and let them boil for about 10-15 minutes. When you put the potatoes on, at the same time, put a pan of sunflower oil in the oven, one big enough to hold all the potatoes in one layer. I always put quite a lot of oil in and not everyone does but your potatoes will be amazing if you do. Put the oven to 200% just for 15 mins. Drain the potatoes when they're slightly softened but not mushy. If they're slightly mushy it's not the end of the world but keep an eye on them.

When you drain them let them dry for at least a minute. Then put them back in the (dry) saucepan you cooked them in, put the lid on and shake them about until they are rough around the edges. Only then, take the sunflower oil pan out and put the potatoes in. Use a spoon to coat them with oil and scatter salt over them. Put them back in the oven and leave them for at least 20 minutes.

Pigs in blankets. These will take about 30 minutes so need to go in at 4.30pm

Stuffing. Put it in the turkey, you won't have much room in your oven

Broccoli. This takes 4 minutes. Pour boiling water over it, time 4 minutes and that's it. It doesn't need cooking for longer than that and the heat doesn't need to be on. Leave it for longer if you want it softer. If you can be bothered make a mix of anchovies, garlic and rosemary (cook it all until softened) and put that on the broccoli when it's cooked.

Carrots. Hmm, I'd leave these out but if you want them I'd put them on at 4.35pm and add a dob of butter and thyme on them once you've drained them.

Sprouts, don't need much cooking, put them on at 4.35 with the carrots (but am not a sprout expert, I buy ready to microwave ones, can you do that, even easier?)

Braised red cabbage. Make this beforehand and just warm it through on the day

Your timings look like this I think:

2pm take turkey out of the fridge, put your oven on
Stuff your turkey (or do this the day before and weigh it)
3pm peel potatoes and carrots (or do this the day before)
3.40pm par boil potatoes
3.40pm put sunflower oil pan in oven for potatoes
4pm drain and shake potatoes, put in the sunflower oil and in the oven
4.30pm put pigs in blankets in the oven
4.40pm take turkey out, check it's cooked and and rest it until 5pm
4.35pm put carrots on
4.40pm put sprouts on
4.45pm warm red cabbage
4.50pm put boiling water on broccoli
5pm drain veg
5pm take potatoes out of oven

NB: If by 4.30 your potatoes are looking a bit blonde whack the temp up to 200 but keep an eye on them. Your turkey will be out by then so it won't be affected.

Advysa · 19/12/2022 14:58

(Pls forgive the joke in the photo, I couldn't help myself..had to resort to similar when made a mistake somewhere in the cooking process.... instructions below should point you in the right direction.)
Ingredients:
1 (12-14 pound) whole turkey, thawed
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 onion, quartered
1 lemon, quartered
1 small bunch fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, and sage)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
Remove the giblets and neck from the cavity of the turkey and discard or save for another use. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
Place the turkey in a roasting pan. Rub the softened butter over the skin of the turkey, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Stuff the cavity of the turkey with the quartered onion, lemon, and herbs.
Tie the legs of the turkey together with kitchen twine to help keep its shape while cooking.
Place the roasting pan in the preheated oven and roast the turkey for approximately 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer.
During the last hour of cooking, baste the turkey with the pan juices to help keep it moist.
When the turkey is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 20-30 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make the meat easier to carve.
To serve, carve the turkey into slices and arrange on a platter. Serve with your choice of side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and vegetables.

First time cooking Christmas dinner - HELP!
khaa2091 · 19/12/2022 15:05

Delia.
Buy a copy (it needs to be physical not virtual) of Delia’s complete Christmas (I use the original green one, don’t know about the more recent one).
There is an excellent Christmas lunch countdown - add your timings in pencil to make it correct for you.

Have a very very thorough list - (1421 turn potatoes level of detail) and tick as you go.

Don’t drink too much champagne ahead of time.

bizzywiththefizzy · 19/12/2022 15:08

Yeah don't drink too much booze while cooking or you will gradually give zero fucks what the meal ends up like by the time it's ready 🤣.

Ineedachangerightnow · 19/12/2022 15:14

✍get drunk while cooking

@Blenheimprincess I could kiss you. Thank you.

OP posts:
herewegoagainst · 19/12/2022 15:21

I cant offer any advice on the actual cooking (DHs job!) but I can recommend a few gadgets he always brings out for the big day!
Extra oven shelf, can get these on amazon and they're normally universal/extendable. Means we he can cook yorkies on top and two trays of roasties and veg or pigs in blankets underneath.
Steamer insert that goes on top of a saucepan, means you can boil one veg and steam another on top to free up some hob space.
Good luck OP!

piedbeauty · 19/12/2022 15:22

Check out the Good Food mag or website. Step by step instructions there.

Blenheimprincess · 19/12/2022 15:31

Ineedachangerightnow · 19/12/2022 15:14

✍get drunk while cooking

@Blenheimprincess I could kiss you. Thank you.

Ah, you're welcome! Check my turkey timings compared to the size you have though. Everything else is right though. And don't drink until it's all done!

Blenheimprincess · 19/12/2022 15:34

I missed a vital bit!!!

Your timings look like this I think:
2pm take turkey out of the fridge, put your oven on
2.30pm PUT YOUR TURKEY IN!
Stuff your turkey (or do this the day before and weigh it)
3pm peel potatoes and carrots (or do this the day before)
3.40pm par boil potatoes
3.40pm put sunflower oil pan in oven for potatoes
4pm drain and shake potatoes, put in the sunflower oil and in the oven
4.30pm put pigs in blankets in the oven
4.40pm take turkey out, check it's cooked and and rest it until 5pm
4.35pm put carrots on
4.40pm put sprouts on
4.45pm warm red cabbage
4.50pm put boiling water on broccoli
5pm drain veg
5pm take potatoes out of oven

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 19/12/2022 15:40

Excellent timings but I would just add that I take my turkey out earlier so I can really whack up the temperature for the roast potatoes and parsnips. It will keep warm for ages and will be easier to carve, as others have pointed out. Also allows me plenty of time to make the gravy and boil the other vegetables. Good luck!

PanicAtTheBigTesco · 19/12/2022 15:48

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 19/12/2022 15:40

Excellent timings but I would just add that I take my turkey out earlier so I can really whack up the temperature for the roast potatoes and parsnips. It will keep warm for ages and will be easier to carve, as others have pointed out. Also allows me plenty of time to make the gravy and boil the other vegetables. Good luck!

I agree I think those timings are good but would put the turkey in/take it out an hour earlier so it has 1hr 15ish to rest.

PanicAtTheBigTesco · 19/12/2022 15:49

I also saw a TikTok from James Martin yesterday saying roast potatoes won't crisp up properly whilst the turkey is in the oven creating steam so another reason to take the turkey out before putting your spuds in Smile

ThreeRingCircus · 19/12/2022 15:52

My main tips are:

Meat is cooked first then wrapped well in foil and a towel to rest. It keeps warm like that for a couple of hours and means you have a hot oven ready to go for all the sides and veg.

Parsnips and carrots are cut into chunks the same size as the potatoes, all par boiled and roasted in hot fat together. As long as they're a similar size they take the same time to cook and that saves a lot of hassle.

Brussel sprouts are just steamed in my microwave steamer. I don't do broccoli as I keep things as simple as possible but you could steam that too.

Gravy is a nice version of shop-bought and I just add some of the meat juices and a spoonful of cranberry sauce to tart it up a bit.

Blenheimprincess · 19/12/2022 15:53

Good points from other posters, you could put the turkey in a bit earlier and take it out earlier to rest and then whack the oven up to crisp up potatoes.

I have 2 ovens so use one for the meat and the other for the potatoes although I have to say I mostly cook them at about 180 although sometimes whack it up at the end. Nigella says the trick is really hot oil to start with and I think she's right.

ThreeRingCircus · 19/12/2022 15:53

Forgot to say about red cabbage..... I make that well in advance and freeze it then just microwave to heat it up on the day.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 19/12/2022 15:58

Delia says the same. (I swear by Delia Smith for Christmas.)

MrsWhites · 19/12/2022 16:03

I agree with everything everyone has said - work backwards, if you are eating at 5pm do your timings so they finish at 4.40-4.45, there is always a last minute panic!

Do all your prep on Christmas Eve, peel veg etc, just leave in cold water overnight, prep stuffing etc.

And don’t add to your worries with fancy gravy - just buy the ready made stuff that you whack in the microwave for 5 minutes!

Lysianthus · 19/12/2022 16:10

Your turkey will thank you for at least an hour's rest. Covered in foil with a tea towel on top. And that means everything else can be less rushed so use PPs timings but put turkey in a half hour earlier. You'll get masses of juices for the gravy too. Good luck!

Blenheimprincess · 19/12/2022 16:11

@Ineedachangerightnow we will need a photo on Christmas Day! Good luck.

ThreeblackCats · 19/12/2022 16:33

cook your Turkey the afternoon/evening before. That way you’ll have space to cook your roast potatoes, pigs in blankets etc. Otherwise you risk the oven being full all day. Also Turkey will be better for resting and if you have hot gravy on top of it you’ll never know it was cold.
Marks & Spencer do some nice sides if you want to cheat with the red cabbage.
that’s my contribution to helping. It’s just a roast with a few extras.

Blenheimprincess · 19/12/2022 16:39

Safety on reheating here

www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-to-reheat-turkey-and-keep-it-moist

I'm overinvested now, I'll get my coat!

FinallyHere · 19/12/2022 16:59

Make a time plan, which just means counting back from dishing up time.

Absolutely make a time plan and stick it up on the wall somewhere everyone can see it.

I'm very fond of a plan, I would also work out what plates and cutlery I would use, especially any serving dishes so that you don't have to think about anything as you go alone.

Then you can relax and enjoy the process a bit rather than getting very stressed out. Food tastes much nice when the cook is relaxed.

All the best.

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