If you’re reading this then the odds are that you and you alone are in charge of that daunting Christmas dinner. Here are six food hacks to get you through that Christmas dinner!
1. Bag Your Christmas Food Prep
Firstly, preparing dishes in advance and freezing them can save you a lot of prep time on the day. Now, we are not suggesting that you pre-roast your Turkey and freeze it away until Christmas day, but things like cranberry sauce, apple sauce, bread sauce cheese sauce and gravy can be frozen and taste as delicious on the day. To de-frost, all you need to do is place the frozen bag in cold water and allow it to warm for 10 minutes. From there heat it in a pan or in the microwave.
If you’re having a roast between now and Christmas, make a double batch of gravy so you can set aside the extra.
2. Set aside store bought dishes
Secondly, and in case of a cooking disaster or a surprise guest, no one has ever regretted having a plan B. A prawn cocktail salad, hummus and crisp dip or a trifle from the shop are never going to be a bad idea to have when the festive day is here.
3. Drinks Drinks Drinks
Thirdly, start Christmas cheers with liqueurs and warm welcoming spirits. From mulled wine and cider to hot gin or Bailey’s hot chocolate.
For the gin add a double measure, with a stick of cinnamon and also anise, sugar syrup, water, a squeeze of lemon and a slice of orange to a glass cup and stir to perfection.
4. Phone A Friend
Fourthly, your Christmas Day cooking can be an incredible pressure. Writing a list of snacks or jobs for other people is not unheard of. Don’t feel bad handing it over to someone else. Christmas is about coming together and everyone having a great day, you included. Chatting over a glass of wine while chopping vegetables is a great way of asking people to help without asking. Allowing people to help themselves to drinks, or having someone else pour them allows you to clear your head and get on with the task at hand.
5. Pre-boil Roast Potatoes
Then, you can buy frozen cooked roast potatoes, but you can also make them. Chop and boil your potatoes for 5-6 minutes and let them cool. Then, pop them in the freezer ready to use on Christmas day.
6. Decorate With Assembled Displays
Finally, Using solar Christmas lighting, decorate your garden with the classiest of Christmas displays. They are mains-cable free and they come fully assembled. Pop your reindeer or Christmas tree anywhere in the garden with the solar panel in daylight, or in the house with their USB cable and your showstopping festive display is good to go!
