Let's talk turkey (androastspudsandstuffingandsproutsandgravy) - all things Christmas food

[whinegums]

Put your top recommendations here for things to buy and make!

I would love to hear everyone's top Christmas food tips - where to get the best turkey/goose/nutroast, what ready made things are fab, which to avoid, any recommendations really.

I'm doing Christmas dinner, there'll be at least three adults, three children - DP's two DDs (9 and 13, both pretty fussy, one a veggie) and our DS (18 months by then, eats anything atm, who knows by Christmas), maybe with upto another three adults.

Any recommendations for turkey or alternative? Last year I did the M&S ultimate turkey, which was good, ready stuffed and came in a roasting bag and tin, so lack of washing up and kept the oven clean. I'm tempted by the Nigella brined spiced turkey thing this year, anyone tried it? What about goose?

I'll do roasties, roast parsnips (Aunt Bessies, I am a failure at parsnips but my spuds are delish, even if I do say so myself), stuffing and/or chipolatas and bacon rolls, sprouts, peas, glazed carrots, gravy. Maybe red cabbage, Yorkie puds and steamed greens too, but it depends on how much I can fit in the oven and on the hob.

Pudding is last year's Christmas pud which we didn't eat then - I've been 'feeding' it regularly with brandy every couple of weeks - I'll make a trifle and I'll buy a chocolate fudge cake for DP's DDs as they don't like trifle or Christmas pud.

I'll probably do a selection of smoked salmon, prawns and other nibbly bits rather than a starter, that I'll put out for everyone to help themselves. Any suggestions for pre-dinner nibbles would be good.

Rindercella... We used to have a Goose but when it became just me and DS switched to the stuffed duck thst M+S do. They change the stuffing recipe every so often, it used to be Stilton, then apricots. Last year and this its cherry and something. Very nice and just enough if there are only a few of you (and the duck fat makes brill rasties.

I'm defecting to Waitrose this year as want to try one with a different stuffing

Have been reading Nigella's Christmas book all year

Has anyone tried the chocolate fruit cake thingy- that she makes in a pan? I really fancy that....

We'll be over in the UK at my Mum's where Christmas lunch is usually a kind of meat platter, lamb and a turkey crown on offer usually- 2 years ago we had a Sainsbury's extra-special (whatever their fancy range is called) duck which was so good I still dream about it!

Our pudding is always a M and S one- the "most luxurious" one they have on offer....and their smoked salmon thick slices are usually around too.....

OfficiallyCannotWait!!!!

Bucharest I did her chocolate christmas cake last year it was fab really yummy but still christmas cake like, whilst cooking it gave off a fantastic Christmassy aroma too.

I did the turkey bath Nigella style last year, the turkey tasted amazing, even DH whom usually hates turkey love it. This year everyone has been asking if I'm going to bath the turkey again, only this time they are all pretty excited about rather than taking the piss.

Yum. I have almost convinced myself to do the brined turkey. I'm going to have to buy the Nigella book aren't I? It jars with me - I quite like a lot of her recipes, but I really don't like her. Oh well, hopefully I'll like her turkey!

Almostreal, how did you make your gravy last year? Does the brining make the pan juices too salty?

What other Christmas food treats are you all thinking about at the moment? The current Sainsbo's mag has a fab looking chocolate brownie cake, baked in a star shape and decorated with gold stars. It looks very very good. We need a salivates emoticon.