8 Top Tips for Cooking the Perfect Christmas Dinner

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse… it’s a glorious evening to unwind before the manic mayhem of Christmas morning. 

The candles are lit, the stockings are hung, the fire is burning and suddenly you remember it’s your turn to host this year! 

Christmas day is very near and in our modern lives getting all the family together for a meal can be quite the challenge. As a host your role is a vital component to the Christmas feast and when all the food has been demolished and all the plates are cleared, the Christmas memories you have created will live on for many years!

With such an important task ahead try to follow our top tips to make Christmas morning a little less stressful. It’s the day we’ve all been waiting for, a turkey with all the trimmings cooked to perfection. Ask yourself is your oven big enough? Can anything be made in advance and warmed up on the day? Ask friends and family to chop up vegetables the night before and just remember, a happy host makes for happier guests! 

1) Is your bird too big for the oven? Check to see if your turkey fits in the oven and make sure you have a roasting dish which is large enough. Don’t get stuck on Christmas morning with a big bird and small oven! 

2) For extra crunchy potatoes: Add half a teaspoon of baking soda to the boiling water. This will give you fluffy insides and crisp edges.  

3) Nobody likes a dry turkey: Get yourself a large pot with 10% salt to water mix and 2 tbsp of sugar. Add the turkey to the large pot and leave in the refrigerator for 12 hours. 

4) Take the cheese out of the fridge: Don’t forget to take your cheese out and keep at room temperature before serving. 

5) Add a little luxury to your gravy: Add 2 tbsp of cranberry sauce to your gravy just before serving. 

6) Don’t boil the veg: Try roasting your brussel sprouts rather than boiling, this stops them going all mushy. Choose the smaller sprouts as they are much sweeter and caramelise them in the oven. If you want to make them fancy add some chopped bacon and chestnuts. 

7) Cook your turkey upside down: To keep your turkey moist and tender try popping it in breast-side down as this helps the juices to flow and bastes itself. 

8) Buy a Christmas pudding: Don’t be the last one to sit down after running around all day, pop a Christmas pudding in the microwave and put your feet up. 

Christmas day doesn’t need to be the most stressful day of the year, just follow some of our tips for a fuss-free dinner. Remember to write a checklist and get the whole family involved, a good host knows how to dish out the jobs.