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Christmas

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Original poster

I'm going to make gravy, soup and stuffing this week, anything else I should do?

34 replies

pontipinemum · 15/12/2025 15:25

I'll be doing my shopping later and think I will get the bits to do the gravy, soup and stuffing this week then freeze it.

Anything else you make and freeze in advance?

I'll prep the roast spuds Christmas eve. Also peel spuds for mash, peel sprouts, carrots will be bought pre cut. I'll cook the ham/gammon Christmas eve.

I like to have as little as possible to Christmas day.

MIL + SIL are doing desserts.

Anything you'd add?

OP posts:
Original poster
pontipinemum · 16/12/2025 10:41

CentrifugalBumblePuppy · 16/12/2025 09:51

Controversial on a Christmas Dinner I know, but I’ve been making double batches of yorkies and freezing half. 5 minutes to reheat from frozen on the roasties & they’re ready.

There would be mutiny if Yorkshire puds weren’t on the table on Christmas Day. I’m a beef & yorkie purist, unfortunately outvoted.

I also batch freeze stuffing balls, I’ll probably make the clementine & cranberry ones later and already have the usual sage & onion ones frozen. Same as the yorkies, double batch & freeze half. When I next use the oven I’ll probably make the choux buns for profiteroles too (freeze empty, fill & dress before serving, they only take an hour to defrost usually). If I want to re-crisp them, 5 mins in a hot oven does the trick.

I LOVE Yorkshire puddings. At one point in uni it was my main carb with whatever I ate 😂back then I bought the Tesco value ones.

Do they freeze well then? And do you reheat straight from frozen?

OP posts:
OhDear111 · 16/12/2025 10:46

How can you make gravy in advance? Don’t you need juices from the meat? Who wants or needs mashed potato? But young carrots and cook whole. Pre cut? Oh dear.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 16/12/2025 11:37

Why gravy in advance? It takes only a few minutes to make lovely gravy in the roasting tin. If you’re having a whole turkey, simmering the giblets the day before with onion and sage, gives you a perfect stock for the gravy, too.

Therewillbeaway · 16/12/2025 14:42

pontipinemum · 16/12/2025 10:40

It's not something I have ever done, not a 'thing' in Ireland. Maybe I will try it. MIL grew up in England she might like it

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I’m not sure how traditional it is, but red cabbage has been a thing in many Irish households at Christmas for several years now.

Original poster
pontipinemum · 16/12/2025 19:19

Therewillbeaway · 16/12/2025 14:42

I’m not sure how traditional it is, but red cabbage has been a thing in many Irish households at Christmas for several years now.

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I did see it pre made when I checked dunnes to see if its sold here.

I like the colour it puts in the plate so think

@OhDear111 what's wrong with pre cut carrot batons? Altho I do like the sound of baby carrots.

Also everyone in my family will want mash.

@GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER I'm going to roast a chicken this week to do it. Just one less thing to do Christmas day. My children are 3 and 1 I like to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible Christmas day.

OP posts:
Theonlyfatmiddleagedwomannotonmonjaro · 16/12/2025 21:53

pontipinemum · 16/12/2025 10:38

I was planning on doing them the day before - par boi - fluff - leave on tray in the fridge. My trial run came out great. How long do you cook them after freezing? Also do you coat them in anything pre freezing? Sorry for all the questions!!

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I believe you can coat them but wasn't sure how to do it without getting into a mess so I froze mine just near boiled. The important thing is...on a tray not piled in a tub. Add about 25 mins onto cooking time if cooking straight from the freezer. Less nit you defrost a hit beforehand.

Seoidin · 17/12/2025 07:50

Comtesse · 16/12/2025 09:15

Sure if you like wasting money (£8 for 600g on Ocado). And mingy portions. Imagine how much cabbage you could buy for 8 quid…..

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Yes but imagine having to eat all that cabbage…

no one eats more than a spoonful of it on the side here. One ‘luxury’ portion does all 12 guests with zero faff. Ideal.

Empress13 · 18/12/2025 01:35

CraftyGin · 16/12/2025 10:13

Definitely get the red cabbage done. It takes 2 - 2.5 hours in the oven, so not something you want to do when there are other things to bake/roast.

I made mine the other day ago and scoffed the bit that wouldn't fit in the freezer container. Delish!

How do you make yours ?

Epictantrum · 18/12/2025 22:11

I just use the recipe on bbc good food, then portion and freeze it

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