Christmas Dinner Timing

[Birchy]

There are lots of veg etc. to get ready for the same serving time, so what's the best way of doing it? Sprouts, carrots, parsnips, asparagus, potatoes.......can any of them be boiled in the morning, then boiled up within a few minutes just prior to serving? Does anybody know the optimum boiling time for each of these vegetables so thatthey're not overdone? Any other Christmas Dinner tips?????

[rekstout]

I am cooking for 15 this christmas so I know where you are coming from

Tip 1 - Don't panic! Sounds silly but it will help to keep a cool head

Tip 2 - Plan ahead, write down a timelined action plan - i.e. 10:00 put in roast potatoes etc.

Tip 3 - Recruit helpers - there's no reason why you cannot ask for help - if you have family coming over, ask them to bring something - e.g. Ask gran to bring her famous stuffing - it flatters the guest and eases the burden on you. LIkewise you can ask for help in the kitchen if you need an extra pair of hands.

Tip 4 - Prepare veg on the previous night - spuds, carrots, parsnips and sprouts can all be peeled or prepapred and soaked in cold water overnight without trouble

Tip 5 - Cook turkey early and serve it cold - this is perfectly acceptable (provided the plates and gravy are hot) - the turkey will probably take up your entire oven - better to get it out of the way - it carves better cold anyway.

Tip 6 - leave veg til last - roast potatoes and parsnitps can be cooked and kept warm but don't do the same to carrots, peas and sprouts - they tend to go manky.

Tip 7 - don't be a microwave snob, most veg cooks just as well in the microwave provided it is covered and has a splash of water with it.

Tip 8 - Warm your plates and serving dishes, this will ensure that food is served hot - even the hottest dish will cool instantly if the bowl or plate it is served on is cold.

Don't overcook your veg, it will keep on cooking whilst hot so if anything, get it out of the pan before it is fully cooked as you can alwaya put it back in - you can't un-cook veg - timings depend on quantities so just keep checking - it should be the last food to be cooked so timing shouldn't be as much of an issue

Remember to enjoy your day as much as everyone else - nobody minds waiting an extra half hour for a good meal - good luck!

[Birchy]

Thanks for all that rekstout ! I'm not panicking about it, but was looking for easier ways of doing things. If you soak parsnips, carrots and sprouts overnight, can they then go in the same pan the next day? I am looking to optimise four gas hobs and an electric oven (+ microwave!) so that my kitchen doesn't look like a Turkish bath full of pans!

[rekstout]

4 gas hobs should be plenty but try to borrow 4 decent sized pans with lids if you don't have enough - that way you can cook all veg in one pot, par-boil potatoes in another, cook peas in the third (5-mins boiling water) and make gravy in the fourth- just remember to add sprouts 10 mins later than carrots or they'll go soggy. Are you roasting parsnips? I find they do not need parboiling as long as you cut the cores out (woody texture anyway). Potatoes - being denser - tend to take longer and need parboiling for 10 mins - this could even be done the previous night so you have cold par-boiled potatoes for roasting the next day - I have done so before and the results are just as good as long as the potatoes are really only par-boiled.

With one oven, definitely cook Turkey overnight or morning (depending on when you are eating) This will leave the oven free for sausage/bacon rolls (30-40 mins), stuffing (30-60 mins), roast pots (45-60 mins), parsnips (30 mins) (nice when coated in honey and wholegrain mustard - yum!), Yorkshire puddings (if you are that way inclined) - I would suggest buying ready made Yorkshires if you are not an expert - I am not and with all that food going in and out of the oven, it is hard to get the the fat hot enough or to get the buggers to rise - Aunt Bessie has saved my bacon on many occassions. Keep boiling the kettle (assuming it is electric) to get hot water for the boiling otherwise it will take forever to get a large pap of veg and water up to boiling.

[Birchy]

Thanks rekstourt ! Honey and wholegrain mustard on parsnips ..... please tell me that this isn't Nigella and I'll try it. Or if it is, lie?

[rekstout]

I think that one pre-dates Nigella, certainly had in in my household since I was a nipper (early 80s) - give me Nigella over Delia any day.

[Gef]

And don't forget to have a good supply of G&T in the kitchen!

[gazzawazza]

Rekstout mentioned making sure your plates are warm. A really good tip (if you find you have nowhere to warm them) is to give them a spray of water (from a washed out cleaning bottle) and then microwave them for about 20 seconds.

[chef]

Birchy Wed - for this Christmas, get yourself a electric steamer. You can do all you veg in one go, they stay hot when they're done and don't need draining or go to mush. Get Delia Smith's Christmas cookery book, gives you a brill countdown from weeks down to the day. Saved my my marriage & sanity, a few bloody mary's help or Vodka & It's