Christmas Eve Prep, advice needed!

[Twinkletoes1001]

Hi everyone! Does anybody prep their veg on the morning of Christmas Eve instead of the night?

I was planning to prep my potatoes carrots and parsnips on the Christmas Eve morning and leave in cold water until Christmas Day but not sure if this would be ok?

We have a Christmas Eve party to go to on the night so that’s why I can’t prep them later in the day. Thank you in advance for any advice! Xxx

I’m pretty sure my mum always prepped her veg on Christmas Eve but not sure it was as early as the morning? I’d take into account the temperature of your kitchen, if it’s a warm room you need to reduce the time they’re sitting around.

Always do as much as possible on Christmas Eve. Parboil the potatoes, make our parsnip dish and do the stuffing.

My mum used to do the veg early, cover with water and a lid and then leave in the garage where it was cooler.

This year I doing a s much prep as possible Xmas Eve so making my mash ahead of time and will warm up on the day, same for pigs in blankets, Yorkshire puds and stuffing. And prepping the veg and par boiling roast potatoes etc.

My mums always prepped the night before so that's what I do now. It's absolutely fine

Thanks everyone, I have heard of people prepping veg the night before, I just wonder if it’s ok to prep the morning before xx

@Derb oh fab! That’s what I was hoping to do! Prep the veg in the morning on Xmas eve, cover with water and put it all into the garage where it’s cold.

You can prep, parboil and then oil potatoes and parsnips and freeze them - do you have freezer space?

Salt the water if you do this!

I’ve done that, I replace the cold water a few times during the day and before bed to keep it chilled!

I do it every year. I also do the potatoes and parsnips days in advance and freeze. Jamie Oliver swears by freezing.

@MrsWhites how early on Xmas eve do you prep? I want to get them done before lunchtime ish and keep in the garage covered with water. Have your veggies turned out ok doing it this way? Thank you! Xx

Do them in the morning. Cover with water and leave somewhere cool. It's just veg. Honestly they will be fine. I have done this for 20 years and there have been no issues!

Potatoes are fine just in water.

Add some lemon juice to the parsnip water to reduce/prevent browning.

Sprouts and carrots don't need to be left in water, can just be prepped and kept in fridge in Tupperware or a bag.

@strawberriesandsun Amazing!! Thank you!

@Scampuss Ooh thanks for those tips, I was going to put everything in cold water, but I will put the carrots in the fridge in zip lock bags now xx

Very early, usually before everyone else is up for the day.

Always been absolutely fine, can’t tell the difference!

I peel, parboil and drain the potatoes, carrots and parsnips Christmas Eve morning. Coat them all in goose fat (and a drizzle of maple syrup for the carrots and parsnips), decant into roasting trays, season, wrap trays completely in cling film and store in the fridge or the utility room (which has no heating and is colder than the fridge when the door is closed). Then just unwrap and roast on Christmas Day. They always come out fine.

Why would you need to freeze them?? OP sounds like a good plan to do them in the morning and then enjoy the rest of Christmas Eve knowing you haven’t got hours of prep looming!

@WinterNamechange it’s so true! I feel so much better now knowing I can get my prep done early and I can enjoy the rest of the day, much more relaxed ☺️ x

@FusionChefGeoff Unfortunately I don’t have freezer space else I would have prepped way in advance and just froze everything. Maybe I will get an extra freezer for next year 👍