Sam-AVFC Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 (edited) Apologies in advance for the essay... After reading this article by Jay Rayner where he talks about what he does (and has historically done) for food on Christmas day I'm quite interested in what you lot have. If anyone has any special tips for dishes or cooking methods it would be great to hear them too! I tend to do the cooking on Christmas day now as the rest of my family have other stuff to sort out and I've always really enjoyed both cooking and eating. It originally started when I was at uni and I agreed with my dad it was better to take the stress off of him for the day rather than borrowing some of his money just to be able to buy a decent present. For breakfast it's normally chocolate and an aim to have lunch about 2. This year I'm thinking I might be better off making a decent breakfast and ditching the starter. I completely disagree with Mr Rayner's view that roast potatoes + 1 veg is acceptable! I'm that person who likes to have way too many vegetable side dishes rather than lots extra meats like a ham. Mine is normally along the lines of: turkey - I generally don't add too much flavour, just butter, a lemon up the backpassage and stuffing. I'll probably do a crown this year as there are only a few of us. I do like goose, but it's way too much of a faff and ends up costing an absolute fortune. stuffing - I normally cut corners here and get a boxed mix and add flavours (onions/mushrooms/herbs...whatever is on hand really). Sometimes have a sausagemeat stuffing, but I can take it or leave it. pigs in blankets - pretty obvious. My feeling is that they are 'fine', but I know others would be upset if they were missed. yorkshire puddings - self explanatory. As big as the oven and cookware will allow. gravy - has to be made (almost completely) from scratch. I like granules as much as the next man, but like to put the effort in for christmas. I'll normally buy a decent turkey stock from the supermarket then cook the turkey on a vegetable trivet. roast potatoes - as many as can possibly fit in the oven while still being able to cook everything else. I don't really get the raving about goosefat to be honest. It is good, but if I'm going to cook them in meat I prefer beef dripping. Due to a few vegetarians I'll normally just cook them in butter and oil. As long as they're crispy I'm happy. sprouts - fried in the pan with butter. Add bacon or chestnuts if the mood takes me. cabbage - my dad is a big sprout lover so in the past I've added the bacon to cabbage instead. Also fried in butter. Sometimes I'll go for a spiced red cabbage instead.Often don't bother with cabbage as others don't care, but I do love it. broccoli - you guessed it, fried in butter. Generally with some garlic. cauliflower cheese - not for everyone, but I love it. I just make a basic roux, add lots of cheese then cheese and breadcrumbs on the top. roasted parsnips/carrots - not that arsed about carrots, but I do like a parsnip as long as it has been cooked properly. (optional) assorted roast veg - normally if, for whatever reason, it hasn't been possible to do lots of different veg side dishes. dessert - I'm normally way to full to eat anything more by this point and am definitely a bigger fan of savoury. Last year I made my first meringue for a pavlova and it was actually much nicer than I expected. I don't think I've missed anything...and it's probably worrying if I have. Edited November 22, 2019 by Sam-AVFC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villa4europe Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 where are the Yorkshire puddings? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam-AVFC Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 (edited) 2 minutes ago, villa4europe said: where are the Yorkshire puddings? Damn...I did miss something. Edited to include now. I don't get the fascination with only having them with beef. I'll never make a roast without yorkshire puddings. Edited November 22, 2019 by Sam-AVFC 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villa4europe Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 my mom goes to town with the roast potatoes, part boiled, then bashed in the pan to rough them up, then baked in goose fat she also used to always do boiled potatoes but no one cared for them so this year she's trying duchess potatoes, I approve of this also ill dabble with cranberry cos its xmas but mustard is my weapon of choice for tackling a big roast 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkyvilla Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 I always thought Yorkshires were just meant to go with beef, at least they are in my family. I'm generally just in charge of brunch on Boxing Day which is far less stressful. Last year my sister-in-law bought turkey from a butcher and it was so much tastier. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tonyh29 Posted November 22, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted November 22, 2019 4 minutes ago, villa4europe said: where are the Yorkshire puddings? or @mjmooney and @drat01 as i like to call them 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villa4europe Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 (edited) 3 minutes ago, sharkyvilla said: I always thought Yorkshires were just meant to go with beef, at least they are in my family. yep, growing up it was Yorkshires / mustard / horseradish with beef, stuffing with chicken, apple sauce with port, mint with lamb now its a free for all, stuffing and Yorkshires with every roast I do think the only one I stick to is mint on lamb and I use stuffing packets to, ive done thanksgiving meals a few times ( a lot of fun - and sugar) and made some elaborate stuffing recipes and found they're not worth the trouble Edited November 22, 2019 by villa4europe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bickster Posted November 22, 2019 Moderator Popular Post Share Posted November 22, 2019 *Checks calendar* *confirms still November* *shakes fist in the air* 2 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam-AVFC Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 I don't really like cranberry, but that reminds me that I missed breadsauce too. 4 minutes ago, sharkyvilla said: I always thought Yorkshires were just meant to go with beef, at least they are in my family. Loads of people agree with you, but I've never understood why that's a thing. 2 minutes ago, villa4europe said: think the only one I stick to is mint on lamb So do I, but I love mint sauce with roast potatoes too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam-AVFC Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 (edited) 3 minutes ago, bickster said: *Checks calendar* *confirms still November* *shakes fist in the air* I'm moving jobs so have been trying to work out my Christmas holiday situation this morning and then saw that which got me thinking about what I'd like to make. There's a chance I have to stay in London on my own this year so I'm hoping that post isn't the closest I get to Christmas lunch! Edited November 22, 2019 by Sam-AVFC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddywhack Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 I want to go to @Sam-AVFC's house for christmas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ingram85 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 1 minute ago, Paddywhack said: I want to go to @Sam-AVFC's house for christmas. Was just typing the exact same thing. If he gets a decent quality xmas pud or xmas cake then I'll marry him. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam-AVFC Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 3 minutes ago, Paddywhack said: I want to go to @Sam-AVFC's house for christmas. You're more than welcome! We had one of my sister's friends over last year as she grew up in care and isn't in contact with any of her family. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam-AVFC Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 1 minute ago, Ingram85 said: Was just typing the exact same thing. If he gets a decent quality xmas pud or xmas cake then I'll marry him. I really don't like Christmas pudding as I'm not a fan of boozy desserts. My cousin normally makes a Christmas cake to give to us each year though. Bad news is he now lives in Vermont! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkyvilla Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 I have to say I'm a fan of frying all the veg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickster Posted November 22, 2019 Moderator Share Posted November 22, 2019 10 minutes ago, sharkyvilla said: I have to say I'm a fan of frying all the veg. and feeding it to stray dogs? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wainy316 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Cranberry on turkey is like pineapple on pizza territory for me. Just no. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam-AVFC Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 5 minutes ago, bickster said: and feeding it to stray dogs? Well la de da! With most veg you aren't doing it right if it isn't fried with butter. If it offends your sensibilities you can call it sautéing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villa4europe Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 55 minutes ago, Ingram85 said: Was just typing the exact same thing. If he gets a decent quality xmas pud or xmas cake then I'll marry him. pud is shite, cake I can stomach but its stollen all the way for me pudding this year will be a black forest trifle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mottaloo Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 I think once @peterms posts on this thread then we can close it, cos no one will come anywhere near that lad and his culinary skills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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