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[toffeecushion]

Anyone else starting to worry about cooking the Christmas dinner?  It is the first time in 27 years of marriage that I am cooking a turkey and I am truly starting to worry about it.  So stupid, after all it is only a Sunday roast.

[honeybun]

Oh yes me 

I have gone down the easy route this year. Pre prepared veg and potatoes and I have even bought gravy. I have always done it from scratch but not this year. There will only be five of us.
Try and prepare as much as you can the day before and then like you say it's just Sunday dinner.

The most I have ever cooked Xmas dinner for was 120 mind you I did have have two other women to help me.
I was a chef 


Honeyb
x

[toffeecushion]

Can't believe how busy the supermarkets are either.  You'd think the shops were closed for days not just one.

[Limpy]

Yes - So worried that we are in fact spending Christmas in a small hotel we like.
Not getting off completely though - I will be cooking a duck with fancy(ish) bits on New Years Day.
Christmas, but just a bit shifted..........

I agree with Honeyb, doing things ahead of time really helps, that and lists.
Will you have anybody to help you Toffeecushion?

[toffeecushion]

I will do all the cooking, my husband will be in charge of the washing up lol.  It is only the four of us so really no big deal, but it feels like it is.

I have made so many lists, I am sure I am prepared.  Thinking of cooking the turkey on Christmas Eve and slicing and then reheating in gravy on Christmas Day. 

[Joyce]

I'm doing it easy this year too. Only the two of us. Although got son & his GF on Boxing Day, but taking it easy then also.

[Hattie]

We are sharing things this year for the very first time and just cooking a turkey - others are doing other bits and it will all come together somehow.   

I always find the turkey takes up all my oven space and the roast potatoes have to then be done in the top oven where i really want to warm the plates !

So maybe your idea of cooking the turkey xmas eve is a good one Toffeecushion - i don't know enough about safe reheating - sure someone will be along to answer though - Have a nice Xmas.   

Hattie X

[CLKD]

What time do you intend to eat?

Don't reheat turkey!  Cook it slowly from : allow time if it requires defrosting: - do you have a pre-set oven? if so you can put it on low heat and turn it up at breakfast time.

40 mins per lb and 40 mins over?  No stuffing as that stops the heat getting through to the centre of the carcase.  Take out often to baste so that it doesn't go dry.  Cook on it's 'breast' bone for the 1st couple of hours.  Turn over.  Baste.  2 hours.  Turn over.  Baste.

Or - joint the whole [de-frosted] bird and cook in parts.  That way it will be cooked through and can be laid on the serving platter either as parts or as a 'whole' …….. DH always roasts the veg. at the same time so all that can be prepared and stood in water tomorrow. 

Veg served on a separate platter ……… job done 

[honeybun]

You can reheat turkey.

This is from the NHS website.

Keep cooked meat and poultry in the fridge. If they are left out at room temperature, bacteria that causes food poisoning can grow and multiply.

After you've feasted on the turkey, cool any leftovers as quickly as possible (within one or two hours), cover them and put them in the fridge. Ideally, try to use up leftovers within 48 hours.

When you're serving cold turkey, take out only as much as you're going to use and put the rest back in the fridge. Don't leave a plate of turkey or cold meats out all day, for example, on a buffet.

If you're reheating leftover turkey or other food, always make sure it's steaming hot all the way through before you eat it. Don't reheat more than once. Ideally, use leftovers within 48 hours.


My suggestion would be, and this is what they do in restaurants, is to slice the turkey and put in an oven proof dish. Cover with gravy and then cover the dish with tinfoil. Heat in the oven until hot.

As long as its hot then you will be fine. If unsure then give it a blast in the microwave before serving.


Honeyb
x

[Mrs January]

Aww Ladies

Gosh stress for you. You are all strong and capable women so go for it  ...Yep tis a bigger Sunday roast.

My son and I are together Xmas day...he is 17, daughter away with dad:( so off we go out for lunch....first time ever for me and him. Boxing day i am at friends as said son is then away with day for three days too.

Hugs

Mrs January xx

[CLKD]

 :thank you:    Honeybun.

By cooking it in parts i.e. jointing the bird - any left overs can be frozen once cooled ………  …… so eating the breast meat with veg and gravy which is the part which can be a little dry: or slicing the breast meat once cold for sandwiches and eating the legs/wings/ for the main meal …….. how many are you serving?

[toffeecushion]

I think I will cook the turkey Christmas morning aiming for it to be cooked about an hour before lunch.  Slice it, put what we will need in gravy, cover with foil and keep warm in the top oven while the veg cooks.  The rest can go in the fridge for cold meats on Boxing Day.  Simple, no panic needed

Now to tackle Tescos.

[Joyce]

Only thing I'm worried about is that my 4 bird roast will be horrid. Daughter told me to get steaks as a standby, just in case. 

[toffeecushion]

Daughter told me to get steaks as a standby, just in case. 

That's not a bad idea

[CLKD]

Your 4 bird roast will be fine !  cook slowly and baste well ;-)