With Halloween done and dusted and Guy Fawkes Night out of the way, it’s time to focus on the biggest festival on the Western calendar: Christmas. If you’ve agreed to prepare the Christmas dinner this year, then you might be anticipating the occasion with a degree of dread. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to make life easier – and to improve the results you enjoy, too.
Start with a Premium, Ready-to-Cook Christmas Turkey
Traditionally, a turkey is the centrepiece of Christmas dinner. You can go to great lengths stuffing and seasoning a turkey before you cook it. Brining makes a big difference, and it’s usually worth the effort.
However, there’s a lot to be said for ready-to-cook Christmas turkeys, which can be stored in the fridge and thrown into the oven when you’re ready to cook it. Provided that you move early and that you deal with a reputable, high-quality supplier, the main centrepiece of your meal won’t cause you any stress.
You don’t need to serve dry turkey. Get a meat thermometer and ensure that the thickest part of the bird has reached 66°C, and that it stays there for at least four minutes. You might consider 74°C the ‘safe zone’ – but this is simply the temperature at which harmful microbes will be killed instantly, rather than over several minutes. Don’t go higher than this – there’s no safety benefit, and the turkey will dry out.
Make sure that you rest it prior to carving, and it will be delicious.
Time-Saving Sides: Quick and Delicious Options
You can add a lot of personality to the dinner with the help of the right side dishes. You can pick out premade frozen ones that taste just as good as the fresh variety – but if you’re willing to do your preparation, you can make your own side dishes in advance, ahead of the big day. Salted sprouts, braised red cabbage, pigs in blankets, and butter-drenched, crunchy parsnips – they can all elevate the dish. The same goes for the gravy – which you can make using the dripping from the turkey.
Ready-Made Sauces and Gravies for Gourmet Flavour
Of course, you don’t have to make sauce from scratch if you’ve got premade stuff. These might also be worth investing in if you need to cater to guests with special dietary needs.
Many high-end restaurants will use ready-made gravy at this time of year, just because of the sheer volume of orders they receive. Check out the different brands available, and try them in advance of the day itself.
Make-Ahead Desserts That Wow
Dessert shouldn’t be an afterthought. Spend some time making yours the night before, and present it as a surprise after the last plate has been cleared away. While Christmas pudding might be traditional (and reasonably easy to make), you can also make desserts that don’t require any baking. Trifles and cheesecakes can be easily tweaked to suit the occasion.
Festive Finishing Touches: Simple Table Décor
For your dinner to really feel like Christmas dinner, you’ll want to spend at least a bit of time thinking about the way the table is decorated. Miniature wreaths, candles, and Christmas crackers can help to establish the theme – and get your guests in the mood for the fabulous feast you’re about to dispense. Enjoy!
