Hosting Christmas Day dinner is a daunting task. If you are worried about things going awry, then you are not alone. Everyone has had these concerns, whether it is about soggy roast potatoes or delayed cooking times. No matter the issue, someone has experienced it and managed to host a lovely holiday meal.
There are certain ways you can simplify this event, though. You will learn three key tips in this post, all three helping you to cook Christmas dinner without becoming overwhelmed.
Prep Vegetables the Night Before
Most people know the challenge of Christmas morning. This is often the time when they start chopping, peeling, and even parboiling vegetables. Although these tasks seem simple enough, they can quickly take up your time. Time that would be better spent with family and friends. If you prefer not to spend hours peeling and chopping on Christmas Day, it’s best to start the night before.
Preparing any vegetables the night before spreads the workload over two days. Luckily, these tasks are safe to do in advance. Vegetables can be stored in water overnight, which keeps them fresh and ready for cooking on Christmas.
Make sure your knives are sharp for these tasks. Sharp knives and tools like a vegetable peeler will help you work more efficiently. In the days leading up to Christmas Eve, gather the equipment you’ll need and check its condition. For example, knives need a sharp edge. Therefore, a whetstone might be required to hone edges and chop ingredients effectively.
Don’t Overcrowd the Oven
As ovens rely on hot air circulating freely around food to cook it evenly, you mustn’t overcrowd it or the trays inside. This can be tricky when you’re on a tight deadline, and Christmas dinner is always a busy time. It gets even more challenging when dishes need longer cooking times. Plus, nobody wants to serve unevenly cooked food.
What should you do instead? A good option is alternative cooking methods. It’s unlikely that your kitchen only has an oven. Other appliances should be used. The stovetop can free up oven space. You can use it for carrots, mashed potatoes, and peas. Similarly, since air fryers are so popular, you might have one available. Crispy roast potatoes and parsnips can be done quickly with an air fryer.
Set Out Nibbles
On the day, guests will probably arrive as you cook. These guests need to be kept happy and out of the cook’s way. Setting out nibbles can do just that. You will find that hungry or bored guests tend to hover around the kitchen. This will be a stressful situation as you cook dishes. Providing a spread of nibbles gives guests a place to gather, chat, and graze away from the kitchen.
But you should keep in mind what nibbles you are offering. Grazing boards are often the most popular – and the simplest – option. Charcuterie and cheese boards, which typically include meats, cheeses, crackers, and so on, are easy to assemble. Better yet, they require no cooking.
To conclude, cooking Christmas Day dinner is a huge responsibility. You are in charge of the central part of the day, and you want this to be a success. Thankfully, by following the tips outlined in this post, your job will be much simpler.
