Christmas Cooking Tips

by Isabel Robson - Robson Recipes
(UK)

Christmas Cooking Tips

So it is your turn to cook on Christmas Day and you have the whole family coming for lunch.

Preparation is the key to any successful meal whether you are cooking for 2 or 12 people.

Here are 5 easy steps to follow for your Christmas day:

1 – Menu
Decide your menu early (at least 2 weeks to Christmas day), down to what ingredients you wish to use.
How many courses you will be cooking? If you added starters, choose soup which can be prepared in advance
or cold salad which is quick to prepare. Again choose a dessert easy to cook in advance.
Stick to your decision, changing your mind may add to unnecessary stress.
Keep it simple, choose meals that you have cooked before and that are easy to prepare.
Why make it hard on yourself? You need time to play host and enjoy yourself also!
Consider your guests dietary requirements to avoid last minute changes and any disappointment.

2 – Source
Now is a good time to buy the Christmas crackers, table decorations and wine.
Write a shopping list, it will help to focus to get all ingredients required.
Buy most ingredients at least 1 week before Christmas day.
It will help avoid the last minute crowds if you get as many ingredients in advance as possible.
Stick to the list and to the budget. It is easy to get distracted.
Reserve your last minute shopping trip for the fresh ingredients only about 2 days before.

3 – Get Organized
Christmas Eve – In the morning remove any frozen ingredients from freezer and stick in the fridge.
It is best to do early, depending on the ingredient, de-freezing process may take longer.

Prepare as much as you can in advance on Christmas even including the dessert.
Some desserts have to be consumed within 3 hours of de-freezing so check the label.
You can peel vegetables and leave them in water until the day after.
Marinate tofu or fish overnight for better flavour.
Chill white wine bottles in the fridge.
Decorate the table ready as it is another task you need not worry about.

4 – Christmas Day
Calculate cooking time.
If lunch is at 1pm and your 3 course meal takes 3 hours to make, do not start cooking later than 10 am.
Always allow an extra hour for putting the ingredients together. Seems to take less time in theory.
If you have bought frozen gateaux, now is the time to remove it from the freezer.
That is if you have not done so the night before, some desserts have to be consumed within 3 hours so check the label.
Once you are happy that you have all you need, put oven on and start cooking.
Try not to get distracted and check it regularly.
Invite someone into the kitchen to help you, also saves you from having to leave the kitchen unattended to play host.
Cook your vegetables last, sprouts only take 2.5 minutes to cook.

5 – Delegate, Delegate, Delegate
Delegate someone else to serve drinks and to help you to serve the food on Christmas day.
Have plates ready and warm before dishing out.
Serve all your guests including your self and enjoy the rest of the day.
Somebody else can do the washing up!

Merry Christmas