Trying to avoid a disappointing Christmas dinner, what can I make and take?

Scam

Scam

Scam

Soldato
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Long story short. I'm now going to my sisters for Christmas day because (well, just because) which means her idea of a Christmas meal is everything ordered from Tesco, ready to go. Cheap as you like. As a self-professed foodie this just makes me feel cold inside, as if having to spend Christmas with the family wasn't bad enough :( I'll be at my mums a day or two beforehand so just wondering what I could prep beforehand to take.

I'm thinking stuffing for sure, bread sauce, pigs in blankets (yes these were ordered as such!), sprouts. What about gravy? I'd be totally down with spending a day at my mums preparing this stuff, I don't mind roasting some chicken wings to make a decent gravy Jamie Oliver style. I'll have nothing else to do :p

Any ideas? Will the bread sauce and gravy keep overnight, for example? It's only about a 40min drive from my mums to my sisters.

I also have to drive my mum, so no booze for me. Loving this Christmas so far #bahhumbug :o
 
Indeed, its Christmas. More important to spend time with family and friend.s. Brings some nice drinks and just forget the food, treat yourself to a nice meal out later in the week.


Last year I was traveling xmas day and had some fastfood burgers in an airport.
 
This thread is so Christmas all over:

-Recommendations to get hammered
-Opinions of 'just enjoy the family time'
-Bumping heads with siblings
-Control freaking over the kitchen

You're doing it right!

Surely, just give the sis a ring and say 'let me help out with the dinner' then prep a few bits before hand if you really feel the need

-Par boiled roast pots in some baking trays with your choice of seasoning ready to go in the oven
-Stuffing
-Wine, a lot of wine
 
Quartz said:
This. Treat them to some very nice drinks - nice wines, nice coffees, etc.
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It's a bit wasted on them. My sister doesn't drink and my mum hasn't a clue. The year before last I got called a wine snob for asking if she had any white wine to go with dinner. She'd pulled out a half-drunk bottle of red that she "had in". Yes that sounds hilariously snobbish but c'mon! :p Anyway I can't drink as I have to drive.. To be fair my mum will get some beers in for me to have at hers, and hopefully a bottle of whiskey is on the cards so I may just attempt Illgresi's challenge.

Haggisman said:
Was going to say this. If her food isn't up to your standards yhen surely the logical thing to do is offer to be in charge of the kitchen? (This is what I usually end up doing :p)
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I was thinking of this but my sister never cooks so it's pretty hard to make sure she has all the 'basics' in. Flour for the gravy for example; I don't want her wasting money on a whole bag and I can't carry bits and pieces as I'm travelling on the train to my mums.

Avenged7Fold said:
Surely, just give the sis a ring and say 'let me help out with the dinner' then prep a few bits before hand if you really feel the need

-Par boiled roast pots in some baking trays with your choice of seasoning ready to go in the oven
-Stuffing
-Wine, a lot of wine
Click to expand...
This is what I'm going to do. Never made bread sauce before though, reckon that'll keep?

Also, anyone made gravy with just chicken wings as per Jamie Oliver's recipe? I'm pretty good making it with a whole chicken but not sure if chicken wings really have enough juice? :confused:
 
You could just make an awesome stock, add some umami stuff then freeze it. Then heat it up with a roux on the day (you can make the roux in advance too). It will make amazing gravy. I haven't tried the Jamie Oliver method. It always sounded nice enough though.

I'd suggest bringing extra dark meat so your sister can't overcook it as easily too.

Par-boiled potatoes for spuds is also a great shout. Mix for Yorkshire puddings too. Serious Eats article suggested a mix made 3 days in advance is best iirc.
 
I think the spuds might be a necessity. For anyone in doubt of what a predicament I'm in; my mum confirmed last night that yes the 'roast potatoes' on the shopping list would most likely be ready-made ones from a packet :(
 
I can live with almost any part of the roast dinner being done the 'easy' way except the pots. Frozen ready to go pots are terrible, i dont even know how they get them to that state considering you still have to whack them in the oven anyway.
 
For me it's not so much that, it's just the fact that to make a passable* roast potato all you need to do is peel it, chop it and whack it in the oven! How anyone can't manage that I do not know :confused:

*Yes, obviously everyone here will parboil but I'm just saying.
 
Scam said:
I think the spuds might be a necessity. For anyone in doubt of what a predicament I'm in; my mum confirmed last night that yes the 'roast potatoes' on the shopping list would most likely be ready-made ones from a packet :(
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Be aware, the Albert Bartlett Rooster Roast Potatoes are actually quite nice! If you're having frozen ones, steer your family towards these (assuming you like them crisp on the outside and fluffy inside).
 
Just turn up with a bottle of your favourite Christmas spirit and mixer and make sure you have a couple of stiff ones before you eat it instead!

Seriously, if you really do want to cook something then for gods sake ask your sister up front if "there is anything I can prepare to help". Rocking up with your own food because hers isn't good enough is not a good idea.

Also try and empower your sister, help her get the confidence to cook herself. Passing on your skills as a cook is very important and satisfying.
 
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MookJong said:
Also try and empower your sister, help her get the confidence to cook herself. Passing on your skills as a cook is very important and satisfying.
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Good idea. Don't make it seem like your doing it because things will be substandard, tell her that you will help her create a meal that will surprise the family!

This is easier said than done i imagine, as many people don't like being told what to do or how to do it, especially by a sibling. Make it seem like you're aiming to create a good Christmas with her - team effort stylee
 
Not that I ever would do this for Christmas Day dinner but the Aunt Bessies frozen roast spuds are actually pretty decent imo!

Ofc nothing matches the sheer epicness of par boiled, fluffed, goose fat drenched roasters!
 
MookJong said:
Seriously, if you really do want to cook something then for gods sake ask your sister up front if "there is anything I can prepare to help". Rocking up with your own food because hers isn't good enough is not a good idea.

Also try and empower your sister, help her get the confidence to cook herself. Passing on your skills as a cook is very important and satisfying.
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Turns out my sister doesn't even own any saucepans. I know she was bad, but christ.. I'm sure I've given her recipes, bought books in the past so as far as passing on skills - I'm out. Done. Not interested. She needs to help herself.

Anyway, I was never going to rock up with stuff without organising with her. After having spoken to my mum and sister, I'll be preparing and bringing the following;
- Gravy
- Spuds
- Stuffing
- Bread sauce (maybe, she doesn't eat dairy so this may be fairly pointless)

We normally have smoked salmon and salad for starters, so might find my recipe for a fennel remoulade to go with it too.
 
Wow. Her diet must be awful :S

Be interested to hear how the chicken wing gravy turns out. I think I'll be doing this myself this weekend.

P.S. the Jamie's Christmas book is worth a buy and is what I'll be doing this year's christmas day from. Whilst it is christmas centric, it's basically a book of roasts with sides, drinks, desserts suitable for most of the year! The panchetta in there looks amazing!
 
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