Nearly ready in the kitchen

The turkey crown was roasted yesterday, along with the stuffing, and the gammon (nod to phoenix)which I cooked with a marmalade glaze. Vegetables were prepped and cooked this morning, with the pigs in blankets and some chicken drumsticks for my grandson who prefers them. I was happy to let my son take over the final cooking and serving, because it takes so much longer if we are both in a small kitchen getting in each other's way.

I catered for eight this year, inc two children and vegetarian. I ended up with a whole turkey instead of a crown but it was ok. I tried a new way of preparing it all by pre-cooking all the veg dishes yesterday. All I had to do today was put them in the oven along with the pigs in blankets and stuffing balls, while the turkey was resting. It was so much easier than worrying about whether everything would be cooked at the same time, I’ll definitely do it again next year.

We had a traditional home made pudding plus a bought caramel & choc for those who don’t like Xmas, apart from my sone in law, who had both. The trifle is still intact for tomorrow. I think some folk are planning on having it for breakfast.

Dishwasher is about to go on for the fourth time in 24 hours - we actually ran out of hot water earlier, with so much cleaning up to do in the kitchen! I’m looking forward to no cooking tomorrow. Happy Christmas, everyone.

Yes everything you said Georgesgran, similar menu, umpeen accompaniments. It all took hours. The grandchildren have had their pudding, meringues, ice cream and chocolate sauce. We all played a good game at the table after dinner. Husband has gone upstairs to read now, that's a euphemism for a sleep. Everyone else watching some rubbish on the tv. Later will have the Christmas pudding.

I'm worn out yes thank goodness once a year.

I’m exhausted!! We ate at 3pm.
Turkey, gammon, pigs in blankets with mash and roasties. Roasted parsnips and carrots, steamed sprouts, broccoli and garden peas. Ordinary stuffing and M&S posh. Two types of gravy and Yorkshire pudding for DGS2.

DD2 requested a cheese board and crackers. Also New York cheesecake with fresh strawberries, and (M&S) chocolate tort for pudding, with cream/ice cream/clotted cream - but is now ‘too full’ for anything!

Hours of prep. 4 hours cooking, juggling ovens and times. Eaten in half an hour and enough leftovers for an army!

Thank goodness it’s just once a year.

Just waved good bye to s widower friend after an almost effortless lunch of fillet steak with a sauce of mushrooms, brandy and cream, roast potatoes and parsnips, carrots and broccoli, followed by trifle and/or mince pies, bottle of delicious Australian Malbec and coffee. Now all washed up and ready to explore what, if anything, television has to offer after a chat with various members of the family. Christmas Day made easy! And a very happy Christmas to all our members.

(I do admire this slogging away in the kitchen as I know its something others like...my family are busy in the Durham area but Ds is the cook in the family, last time I spoke he was supervising children rolling pigs in blankets.)

Charleygirl5

I live on my own so I dined last night and thoroughly enjoyed a duck leg with trimmings.

I think some of you ladies need to join me in Slothland. You need very few pointers. Unfortunately, the TV has joined me with some of yesterday's repeats. Even my pea brain can hold that much rubbish.

Please rest and enjoy.

Not too different here, except I went for a little sunny walk in the park dodging children on new bikes and smiling faces, all nice. And my food was M n S.

I live on my own so I dined last night and thoroughly enjoyed a duck leg with trimmings.

I think some of you ladies need to join me in Slothland. You need very few pointers. Unfortunately, the TV has joined me with some of yesterday's repeats. Even my pea brain can hold that much rubbish.

Please rest and enjoy.

No cooking here. (But I obviously want to join the thread!).

We are being picked up in an hour. Exchanging presents and The Dinner at 5pm for 11 of us.

Oh Primrose with all you have to contend with too - you are Superwoman in disguise that’s for sure. What’s the saying “if you want something done ask a busy woman”? After all your prep and hard work I hope you enjoy Christmas today with your family. It’s well deserved. x

All vegetables prepped turkey nearly done, will rest it whilst I roast the vegetables, potatoes, parsnips, carrots. To add to the brussels, stuffing, pigs in blankets, Yorkshires and one vegetarian meal, for the non meat eater. They're all in the other room. I like the kitchen to myself at such times. We'll eat after 3pm.

My food is all prepped and ready and I’m not cooking till Boxing Day! 😂

Yep, veg prepared, puddings made but then.... discovered that I have purchased industrial quantities of too small bin liners....oh dear..

25Avalon

We’re going out for Christmas dinner at a beautiful Cotswold traditional pub with a roaring fire, and we can take the dog. So no slogging in the kitchen for me, just a relaxing time opening presents and then call in on family before dinner. Happy Christmas everyone.

Very nice too. 👍

We’re going out for Christmas dinner at a beautiful Cotswold traditional pub with a roaring fire, and we can take the dog. So no slogging in the kitchen for me, just a relaxing time opening presents and then call in on family before dinner. Happy Christmas everyone.

Just doing parsnips which I forgot about until this morning!

Our family always said Mum put her sprouts on at Halloween, she liked them well done 🤣

There's always one.....! Happy Christmas everyone x

Sprouts went on in October.