Remind me, how far ahead can I prep my veg for Xmas lunch?

[LaDiDancesroundtheXmastree]

Ok, so I'm not thinking of doing it tonight but I'm at work until 10pm on Xmas Eve so I was hoping to do it on Sunday evening, provided that I'm not frantically wrapping presents of course.

Will that be ok do you think? It will only really be potatoes, sprouts and turnip that will need prepping then as getting ready prepped broccoli florets and baby parsnips and carrots that I will just was and then roast whole.

Thanks

You can't do the potatoes early but the others will be fine if you keep them covered and refridgerated.

I'm doing my spuds as soon as i get a minute - peel, parboil and freeze. Chuck 'em (still frozen) in hot goose fat on xmas day and roast. No steaming pans to deal with in your party frock.

Is it ok to do potatoes and parsnips the night before and leave them in water over night? Or do they go funny?

eh, frozen spuds into hot fat, into oven.

is this true?

can i do the same to the humble parsnip.

how does the frozen bit affect cooking times temp.

purleeesse

Oh, do it tonight, then it's over with.

have read its ok to do spuds, not sure about parsnips, they are a bit more sponge like aren't they?

Hmmm I like the par boil and freeze idea. I haven't done it. Aren't they just tastier prepared nearer the time? Do they lose any flavour?

Great post.

Sad but I prep loads in advance. Agree about frozen roasties great time saver. I also makeahead and freeze my red cabbage with port and orange, cauliflower cheese, cranberry sauce and my stuffing is made and in the freezer ready to go. I want to spend as little time possible in the kitchen on Xmas day!!!

But surely if you haven't already got your sprouts on the boil they won't be ready for Christmas Day?

I usually do all mine of Christmas Eve, but I'm sure a couple of days in advance is fine. I use plastic pots or ziploc bags to store everything. I would save the potatoes till Christmas morning, tbh - while you are waiting for the oven to heat up.

start now.

Thanks for yourhelp. If I've got room in the freezer then I'll prep and freeze potatoes on Sat/Sun.

ohh might do tht to the pots then that sounds a good idea.

One restaurant I worked for had a lad come in twice a week to do nothing but veg. He spent 4 hours each time peeling and slicing 3 DUSTBINS full of veg (clean and disinfected bins).
Another would cook the veg the day or so before, quick chill, refridgerate and then dish up into serving dihes and microwave to order.

I always do all veg except for potatoes on Xmas Eve. Cover with cold water and lid on. Never had any problem.