First Christmas Dinner - help please

[Tezzy]

Ok this year is my first attempt at making christmas dinner, im making it for 5 adults, 1 fussy teen, 1 Rhys and of course Ffion too.

arghhhhhhhhhhhh

panicking now!

so.. advice is needed..

i have my shopping list:

veg:
carrots
parsnips
potatoes
sprouts

all of which im going to roast... its easier that way i figure?

bacon lardons
chesnuts

for the sprouts? thats right isnt it?

stuffing

is normal stuffing ok? or is there a certain christmas one i should use?

gravy
cranberry sauce


ok thats everything ive got, im not cooking the meat so i dont need to worry about that.

is there anything im missing? is there any special method to cooking this thing so i dont get stressed out?

 

[bigbelly2]

my big piece of advise is to prepare everything the night before as in veg and pop a bit of lemon juice in teh water to keep them fresh, (saves loads of stress time xmas day) i like the cranberry stuffing and the normal one (they can have a choice that way) i always pop some honey on the veg and the tatties about 5 mins before they are due to come out too yummmmmyyy
h x

 

[Mamafy]

All sounds good, some gravy over that and it'll be fine I posted my stuffing & roast potato recipes in the xmas recipe bit and they are really good but really easy too. I agree with bigbelly, prepare loads the night before like the veg ( I don't prepare the potatoes as I find they just don't keep as well) then put them in zippable freezer minus water and put them in the fridge then just put them in your pans the next day. They keep really well like that.

Are you having a starter? Soup is good if you are (I never bother with starters for xmas).

What dessert are you having? The little birds trifles are great just add a tin of fruit to the jelly and sponges

Good luck

 

[Always&4ever]

Sounds good, enjoy the meal

 

[Margerle]

Sounds like a plan!

I've been doing the Christmas Eve dinner for 10+ and the Christmas Day dinner for 10+ for the last 5 years or so.

I agree to do what you can the night before (or a few days ahead of time). Roasting the veggies is an awesome idea I toss my parsnips and carrots in a butter and peach jelly mixture with some fresh rosemary and that's really savory and yummy.

One piece of advice when cooking things prepared ahead of time is to get the item as close to room temp as possible before cooking. They'll cook a lot more evenly and a LOT quicker if its not pulled right out of the icebox. This includes any 'meats' you may cook in future years.

Plain ole stuffing is good... My granny always made plain and then a separate OYSTER stuffing :: BLERGH ::. Your sprouts sound awesome! I end up roasting those too usually, they are so sweet and nutty roasted.

Gravy of course, and cranberries - sounds like you've got everything.

I usually have a few cut raw veggies with a dip/dressing, a small relish tray with pickles, olives, pickled herring, smoked oysters various crackers, dried beef etc. Then I have the odd cookie or truffle or fudge out for those with a sweet tooth after dinner - especially if you aren't having an official dessert like pie or Christmas pudding.

Good luck - do NOT stress out, have fun!

 

[Tezzy]

for desert we're just gonna have some homemade truffles and fudges because we all dont like christmas pudding LOL.

im gonna make them a few days in advance...

thanks for your replies!