How to take the stress out of Christmas day cooking…
From chaos to Christmas cheer: Mastering the art of stress-free Christmas Day cooking.
We hear you, somehow you have ended up hosting Christmas.. The kids are going wild, the house looks like a landfill site, someones drunk & it’s only 10am. The Christmas dinner needs preparing and it’s not going to prepare itself. There is absolutely nothing worse on Christmas day than slaving away in the kitchen, feeling like you’re missing out on all the fun and after a hectic month all you want to do is enjoy the festivities. Well, The Mum Space has got your back, we’ve compiled a list of our top tips to ensuring your Christmas day cooking is as simple as possible…
Plan Ahead
Start by creating a menu and a detailed shopping list well in advance. Ensuring you have all the necessary ingredients ahead of time will prevent last-minute stress and unnecessary trips to the supermarket. Make your lists & start early, buy anything freezable in advance and tick items off the list as you go.
Simplify the Menu.
Though it's tempting to go all out with an extravagant spread, consider trimming down the number of dishes to make the cooking process more manageable. Focus on a selection of dishes that will please everyone while reducing your workload. Remember, simplicity can be just as satisfying. I decide what I am cooking and what I am buying ready made. Supermarkets stock a great selection of pre-made sides. Cauliflower cheese, red cabbage, parsnips & Yorkshire puddings are all great ones to buy in advance and freeze. Three years ago, I made it all myself from scratch. I ended up stressed out, worn out and it was probably my least enjoyable Christmas dinner to date.Wash, peel and chop your vegetables the day before.
This is another one that doesn’t seem like a big job to do on the day, but by prepping it all the day before it means less washing up, less cleaning and less time in the kitchen on Christmas day. I prep my carrots, sprouts and broccolli on Christmas eve morning, put them in pans in some cold water overnight. I also do my potatoes the day before- peel cut and parboil, give them a toss, then in a tray lay them in a single layer, cover with some foil and leave in a cool place. Ready to just put in the oven the next day. Honestly this method of preparation really does save so much time and energy on Christmas day.Cook your Turkey the day before
For the past two years I have cooked my Turkey on Christmas eve, not only does it save on time on Chrismas day (no more waddling downstairs early to put it in) it saves on oven space and washing up too. This was a tip I saw from Gordon Ramsey on ‘This Morning’ a couple of years ago and its changed our life . “Cook it the day before, let it rest beautifully, refrigerate it, take it out an hour before you slice it and the skin is still crispy” carve it on Christmas day and top with some piping hot gravy which warms the meat back up beautifully.
Set the Table in Advance
Save precious time on the day by setting the table the day before. Iron table linens, arrange centrepieces, and set out serving dishes and utensils. This small but significant step will help you stay organised and create a more festive atmosphere.Ask family/friends to bring a dish
Ask Family to bring a dish- Desert or nibbles are a great idea, one less thing to have to remember when doing the shopping & cooking.
By using these tips, you can transform the process of cooking Christmas dinner into a more enjoyable experience. Plan ahead, simplify your menu, and make use of make-ahead dishes and time-saving techniques. Remember to delegate tasks and schedule your cooking, allowing you to have a stress-free Christmas celebration where the focus remains on good food, great company, and making memories with your children.
