Christmas meal cheats and shortcuts

[Participant]

Any tips for cutting corners when making Christmas lunch?

There are 12 of us this year and I'll need to cut some corners to make it work and avoid spending the entire time in the kitchen.

So far I'm thinking:

- Partially roast the potatoes then freeze them today, so on the day they'll cook in 20 minutes whilst the turkey is resting
- Pre-steam then freeze the vegetables. Sprouts for example can be fried in bacon fat with lardons on the day. Carrots can be warmed through in butter on the hob. Not sure if cooked sprouts freeze ok though.
- Prepare cook and freeze gammon now so that on the day I only need to get it out of the freezer and slice it, serving it cold.

Any other tips?

 

[randomshenans]

Wouldn’t need to freeze the ham. Would be fine. It’d take too long to freeze and defrost now.

 

[wesimmo]

Just cook the ham overnight in a slow cooker. We always have it while opening presents in the morning, can't beat warm ham on liberally buttered toast.

 

[PlacidCasual]

I wouldn’t freeze a ham it’s cured it will last weeks in the fridge.

 

[Martynt74]

We’re planning on doing quite a bit on Xmas Eve. Not sure you need to freeze stuff though. Just cook the day before and fridge it.

End of the day everyone will be too drunk to pick things apart!

If they’re not then refill their glass!

 

[Scam]

I think part cooking vegetables and then freezing them is going to end up in a soggy mush, especially sprouts. Just my 2p.

 

[robj20]

We just cook the meat the day before . Then just do the veg fresh.

 

[jpaul]

I think part cooking vegetables and then freezing them is going to end up in a soggy mush, especially sprouts. Just my 2p.

+= 4¢

unless you have validated strategy with a dry run ? ... freezings going to adulterate cooked sprouts ...we like them naturel too - none of these jamie/nigella versions...
Delia/mrs beaton forever, well, maybe with R Khoo.

Stuffing of turkey night before, brandy butter, and of course xmas pudding, in advance.