Christmas dinner cheats

It's me · 10-12-2012, 13:42

Do you make everything from scratch for your Christmas dinner? I always buy my stuffing, we all love M&S chestnut stuffing in this house. And I always buy cranberry sauce although I know it is easy to make. I buy Christmas pudding too, we are always so full that we only have a small portion so it's not worth all the faff of making it myself.

SHAFT · 10-12-2012, 17:53

I'm making it all from scratch but I have to get up at a ridiculous time in the morning to do it! The stuffing is my own spicy bacon and potato recipe so I can't buy that and no one coming likes cranberry sauce. Pudding is Bannana cream pie and chocolate fondant with raspberry coulis amd my home made is better than most of the stuff I can buy in the shops.

CBFreak · 10-12-2012, 17:59

If you have a microwave save a hob by getting steam microwave veg bags.

degsyhufc · 10-12-2012, 17:59

Christmas dinner cheats

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Microwave dinner for one

SeasideLady · 10-12-2012, 18:06

I make the starters and cook all the dinner from scratch. I also buy M & S luxury stuffing and I don't make my own cake or pudding because only two of the family eat it. Cranberry sauce from a jar - haven't the time to make that and I bet hardly anyone does.

degsyhufc · 10-12-2012, 18:22

Hmm "cook all the dinner from scratch. I also buy M & S luxury stuffing"

fizzle90 · 10-12-2012, 19:08

I buy the stuffing and cranberry sauce too.

curvybabes · 10-12-2012, 19:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBFreak

If you have a microwave save a hob by getting steam microwave veg bags.

good idea

Badcat · 10-12-2012, 20:11

I make the stuffing by squeezing out a few raw sausages and mixing it with paxo sage and onion stuffing which has only had a LITTLE bit of hot water added to it beforehand as the fat in the sausagemeat helps moisten it as it cooks

also gravy comes in granules.

Batfink · 10-12-2012, 21:59

Yes - called Waitrose and M&S. if you are going to cheat, do it with quality food and ingredients.

earthling13 · 10-12-2012, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badcat

I make the stuffing by squeezing out a few raw sausages and mixing it with paxo sage and onion stuffing which has only had a LITTLE bit of hot water added to it beforehand as the fat in the sausagemeat helps moisten it as it cooks

also gravy comes in granules.

But there's no comparision to real gravy. It's one thing I love making. I add lots of wine and a splash of port and have lots of tastings while it reduces.

Badcat · 10-12-2012, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by earthling13

But there's no comparision to real gravy. It's one thing I love making. I add lots of wine and a splash of port and have lots of tastings while it reduces.

gravy granules is what I had when I was ickle sprog at xmas cos mum had so many people to feed. She couldn't make gravy for the thousands out of one turkey dribble, she wasn't the chosen one

Real gravy is for when I'm feeling fancy.

earthling13 · 10-12-2012, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badcat

gravy granules is what I had when I was ickle sprog at xmas cos mum had so many people to feed. She couldn't make gravy for the thousands out of one turkey dribble, she wasn't the chosen one

Real gravy is for when I'm feeling fancy.

Oxo cubes with the cabbage water when I was a kid!

But honestly, if you've cooked a large turkey it's one of the few days of the year that it's worth the effort. In fact, this year I'm going to make mine a couple of days early with chicken wings and add the turkey juices (and maybe a bit more wine

) on the day.

missymorgan · 10-12-2012, 22:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by earthling13

But there's no comparision to real gravy. It's one thing I love making. I add lots of wine and a splash of port and have lots of tastings while it reduces.

Port makes lush gravy

Nowt wrong with gravy granules, but I do prefer making my own gravy (although I cheat by using browning to get the 'right' colour, esp with chicken gravy)

earthling13 · 10-12-2012, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by missymorgan

Port makes lush gravy

Nowt wrong with gravy granules, but I do prefer making my own gravy (although I cheat by using browning to get the 'right' colour, esp with chicken gravy)

Certainly nothing wrong with granules and I use them often if we're just having chops or something but it's so rare that I get to cook a big piece of meat or poultry that I like to take the opportunity to make my own.

gerr60 · 11-12-2012, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBFreak

If you have a microwave save a hob by getting steam microwave veg bags.

Yuk! it has to be fresh veg for me sorry.

gerr60 · 11-12-2012, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badcat

gravy granules is what I had when I was ickle sprog at xmas cos mum had so many people to feed. She couldn't make gravy for the thousands out of one turkey dribble, she wasn't the chosen one

Real gravy is for when I'm feeling fancy.

gravy can make or break a nice meal.

Badcat · 11-12-2012, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerr60

gravy can make or break a nice meal.

That why it's gravy granules for crimbo every time! Tis tradition and you cannot cock it up

K's Kitchen · 11-12-2012, 12:34

I always use Aunt Bessies roast potatoes. As for the stuffing - since I was a child we had paxo mixed with sausage then oven baked. Its the best ever! I have made my own stuffing in the past and everyone says its nicer than paxo but not in my opinion mmm

stud u like · 11-12-2012, 12:45

My brother cooks the ham in Cherry Coke.

walterwhite · 11-12-2012, 13:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by stud u like

My brother cooks the ham in Cherry Coke.

That's not cheating, that's just making your ham taste nice.

stud u like · 11-12-2012, 13:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerr60

Yuk! it has to be fresh veg for me sorry.

They are fresh.

CBFreak · 11-12-2012, 13:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerr60

Yuk! it has to be fresh veg for me sorry.

I find boiled frozen veg to be watery and tasteless. The Steam bag retain a lot more of the flavour and they taste really good.
They have made me eat a lot more veg now and so easy to do.

JulesF · 11-12-2012, 14:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerr60

Yuk! it has to be fresh veg for me sorry.

You've got the wrong idea. It is fresh veg, just steamed in the microwave rather than on the hob.

gerr60 · 11-12-2012, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by stud u like

They are fresh.

They are frozen.

10-12-2012, 13:42	#1
It's me Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 45	Christmas dinner cheats Do you make everything from scratch for your Christmas dinner? I always buy my stuffing, we all love M&S chestnut stuffing in this house. And I always buy cranberry sauce although I know it is easy to make. I buy Christmas pudding too, we are always so full that we only have a small portion so it's not worth all the faff of making it myself.

10-12-2012, 22:32	#13
earthling13 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 10,268	Quote: Originally Posted by Badcat gravy granules is what I had when I was ickle sprog at xmas cos mum had so many people to feed. She couldn't make gravy for the thousands out of one turkey dribble, she wasn't the chosen one Real gravy is for when I'm feeling fancy. Oxo cubes with the cabbage water when I was a kid! But honestly, if you've cooked a large turkey it's one of the few days of the year that it's worth the effort. In fact, this year I'm going to make mine a couple of days early with chicken wings and add the turkey juices (and maybe a bit more wine) on the day.

10-12-2012, 17:53	#2
SHAFT Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 4,252	I'm making it all from scratch but I have to get up at a ridiculous time in the morning to do it! The stuffing is my own spicy bacon and potato recipe so I can't buy that and no one coming likes cranberry sauce. Pudding is Bannana cream pie and chocolate fondant with raspberry coulis amd my home made is better than most of the stuff I can buy in the shops.

10-12-2012, 17:59	#3
CBFreak Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 22,069	If you have a microwave save a hob by getting steam microwave veg bags.

10-12-2012, 17:59	#4
degsyhufc Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 58,791	Christmas dinner cheats -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Microwave dinner for one

10-12-2012, 18:06	#5
SeasideLady Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 15,471	I make the starters and cook all the dinner from scratch. I also buy M & S luxury stuffing and I don't make my own cake or pudding because only two of the family eat it. Cranberry sauce from a jar - haven't the time to make that and I bet hardly anyone does.

10-12-2012, 18:22	#6
degsyhufc Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 58,791	Hmm "cook all the dinner from scratch. I also buy M & S luxury stuffing"

10-12-2012, 19:08	#7
fizzle90 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ayrshire, Scotland Posts: 5,925	I buy the stuffing and cranberry sauce too.

10-12-2012, 19:13	#8
curvybabes Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 11,156	Quote: Originally Posted by CBFreak If you have a microwave save a hob by getting steam microwave veg bags. good idea

10-12-2012, 20:11	#9
Badcat Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 3,275	I make the stuffing by squeezing out a few raw sausages and mixing it with paxo sage and onion stuffing which has only had a LITTLE bit of hot water added to it beforehand as the fat in the sausagemeat helps moisten it as it cooks also gravy comes in granules.

10-12-2012, 21:59	#10
Batfink Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 293	Yes - called Waitrose and M&S. if you are going to cheat, do it with quality food and ingredients.

10-12-2012, 22:06	#11
earthling13 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 10,268	Quote: Originally Posted by Badcat I make the stuffing by squeezing out a few raw sausages and mixing it with paxo sage and onion stuffing which has only had a LITTLE bit of hot water added to it beforehand as the fat in the sausagemeat helps moisten it as it cooks also gravy comes in granules. But there's no comparision to real gravy. It's one thing I love making. I add lots of wine and a splash of port and have lots of tastings while it reduces.

10-12-2012, 22:22	#12
Badcat Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 3,275	Quote: Originally Posted by earthling13 But there's no comparision to real gravy. It's one thing I love making. I add lots of wine and a splash of port and have lots of tastings while it reduces. gravy granules is what I had when I was ickle sprog at xmas cos mum had so many people to feed. She couldn't make gravy for the thousands out of one turkey dribble, she wasn't the chosen one Real gravy is for when I'm feeling fancy.

10-12-2012, 22:53	#14
missymorgan Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 490	Quote: Originally Posted by earthling13 But there's no comparision to real gravy. It's one thing I love making. I add lots of wine and a splash of port and have lots of tastings while it reduces. Port makes lush gravy Nowt wrong with gravy granules, but I do prefer making my own gravy (although I cheat by using browning to get the 'right' colour, esp with chicken gravy)

10-12-2012, 23:02	#15
earthling13 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 10,268	Quote: Originally Posted by missymorgan Port makes lush gravy Nowt wrong with gravy granules, but I do prefer making my own gravy (although I cheat by using browning to get the 'right' colour, esp with chicken gravy) Certainly nothing wrong with granules and I use them often if we're just having chops or something but it's so rare that I get to cook a big piece of meat or poultry that I like to take the opportunity to make my own.

11-12-2012, 11:21	#16
gerr60 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 715	Quote: Originally Posted by CBFreak If you have a microwave save a hob by getting steam microwave veg bags. Yuk! it has to be fresh veg for me sorry.

11-12-2012, 11:23	#17
gerr60 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 715	Quote: Originally Posted by Badcat gravy granules is what I had when I was ickle sprog at xmas cos mum had so many people to feed. She couldn't make gravy for the thousands out of one turkey dribble, she wasn't the chosen one Real gravy is for when I'm feeling fancy. gravy can make or break a nice meal.

11-12-2012, 11:36	#18
Badcat Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 3,275	Quote: Originally Posted by gerr60 gravy can make or break a nice meal. That why it's gravy granules for crimbo every time! Tis tradition and you cannot cock it up

11-12-2012, 12:34	#19
K's Kitchen Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 104	I always use Aunt Bessies roast potatoes. As for the stuffing - since I was a child we had paxo mixed with sausage then oven baked. Its the best ever! I have made my own stuffing in the past and everyone says its nicer than paxo but not in my opinion mmm

11-12-2012, 12:45	#20
stud u like Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Sunny Side Of The Street Posts: 40,105	My brother cooks the ham in Cherry Coke.

11-12-2012, 13:13	#21
walterwhite Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 21,729	Quote: Originally Posted by stud u like My brother cooks the ham in Cherry Coke. That's not cheating, that's just making your ham taste nice.

11-12-2012, 13:17	#22
stud u like Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Sunny Side Of The Street Posts: 40,105	Quote: Originally Posted by gerr60 Yuk! it has to be fresh veg for me sorry. They are fresh.

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Christmas dinner cheats

11-12-2012, 13:34	#23
CBFreak Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 22,069	Quote: Originally Posted by gerr60 Yuk! it has to be fresh veg for me sorry. I find boiled frozen veg to be watery and tasteless. The Steam bag retain a lot more of the flavour and they taste really good. They have made me eat a lot more veg now and so easy to do.

11-12-2012, 14:51	#24
JulesF Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 5,103	Quote: Originally Posted by gerr60 Yuk! it has to be fresh veg for me sorry. You've got the wrong idea. It is fresh veg, just steamed in the microwave rather than on the hob.

11-12-2012, 16:17	#25
gerr60 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 715	Quote: Originally Posted by stud u like They are fresh. They are frozen.