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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2018 10:10:22 GMT
Ok, me is in charge this year and I could do with some inspiration. Food, (kid friendly) table decorations, starters. cooking tips, wine, champagne, the lot. It's just us and the kids so we don't need loads, and the tiddlers will prob be stuffed on chocolate anyway, so a nice small but refined menu like masterchef The red line which cannot be crossed is we will be having roast spuds and sodding Turkey. I can take it or leave it, so will prob get a frozen crown. I could therefore do with a bit of beef or something.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2018 10:43:29 GMT
We don't go overboard on Christmas day itself, because there are always so many other opportunities for gluttony. Must have roast spuds, stuffing and gravy, though.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2018 10:49:24 GMT
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Post by PG on Dec 12, 2018 11:06:20 GMT
Why have Turkey? The meat is bitter. After years and years of having turkey as it is traditional, we shifted to either beef or a large chicken a few years ago and my goodness, Christmas dinner is so much nicer now. Keep all the trimmings either way.
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Post by Blarno on Dec 12, 2018 11:35:57 GMT
We've got a couple of gammon joints and some pork, because crackling is the 3rd best thing behind bacon and sex. Turkey is ok, but it has to be slathered in gravy, otherwise it is too dry. Roasties, stuffing, parsnips and dog dicks are always there. Sprouts can get fucked, evil things.
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Dec 12, 2018 11:37:13 GMT
For flavour, the right Turkey is important; Derek, ours, is currently taking a last stroll around the farm near Alnwick before meeting a timely end in a few days time. I asked the butcher how they prepared their turkeys and he said they were pretty honest with them, their relationship would be fairly short-lived, and not to plan any excursions in 2019. Cooked properly it is never dry.
I'm a fairly late convert to Brussel Sprouts but sprinkling with olive oil and roasting them they are lovely. I'll add pancetta and chestnuts as well. I also like about three types of stuffing - the traditional sausage meat, chestnut, and probably and orange one. Roast potatoes are done in goosefat but I'm going to try a balsamic version this year as well. Carrots roasted with honey. In fact I try to roast as much as possible as it keeps it all simple and cuts the clutter on the hob.
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Post by Blarno on Dec 12, 2018 11:49:45 GMT
Colin Furze on that there Youtube made an awesome turkey cooker a few years back, whereby the turkey was on a rotating spit inside a tank and hot water was passed through the centre shaft, which was perforated. This meant that the turkey was cooked by the water, but was also moistened by it. It also created a lovely broth in the bottom of the cooker as the turkey infused water fell down. This water was then used to cook the vegetables.
Fat tongued prick with a fork, Jamie Oliver was on hand to try it and confirmed it was delicious and moist.
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Post by Blarno on Dec 12, 2018 12:01:16 GMT
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Dec 12, 2018 12:15:14 GMT
It looks great but it's simpler to just cook the turkey for the right amount of time, baste it regularly, and let it rest for a long time. Resting is the key - at least an hour.
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Post by Martin on Dec 12, 2018 12:17:36 GMT
Cooked properly, a Turkey Crown from our local butchers is moist and full of flavour, really looking forward to it. The second most important element is really well cooked roast potatoes, they have to be a decent size, fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. I like sprouts it they’re roasted with the parsnips in honey. Proper gravy is essential too. All very traditional I know, but that’s how I like it.
Just the two of us on Christmas Day this year.
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Post by Big Blue on Dec 12, 2018 12:23:54 GMT
Goose. They taste lovely, you'll never have better roast potatoes and because there's less meat on them you won't be eating it until February! Of course I'll have woken up at 4am with the kids to pack them on a plane, driven across half of the Balkans to arrive in time to have a honey cross smeared on my face, check that the candle isn't pointing at anyone (they're dead in 2019 if it does), have the grandkids sing the freshly made bread into the room, slice up garlic and smear honey on a wafer before eating some deep fried carp and then waiting for someone to ring a bell to signify that St Nicolas has been round and dropped a load of toys under the tree (this is the hardest part as it entails keeping the kids locked in the kitchen whilst the adults drag all the gifts into the living room). You're welcome to try it Scamper. Of course the main benefit for me is that all this happens on the 24th so on the UK Christmas Day I just wake up about 11am and doss about in my PJs all day.
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Post by Big Blue on Dec 12, 2018 12:25:12 GMT
baste it regularly, and let it rest for a long time. Resting is the key - at least an hour. These are the exact same instructions given to visitors of the Pall Mall Clubhouse Turkish Baths.
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Dec 12, 2018 12:30:24 GMT
Goose. They taste lovely, you'll never have better roast potatoes and because there's less meat on them you won't be eating it until February! At my dad's insistence (he was going for a Dickensian Xmas vibe)we tried one when I lived at home. It roasted away to nothing. Fortunately my mum had foreseen this and done an emergency turkey.
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Post by johnc on Dec 12, 2018 12:35:02 GMT
Pigs in blankets, some mashed potato with plenty of butter (to supplement the compulsory roasties) and the bit I always enjoy is a really nice joint of ham with some cauliflower and cheese to add variety to the turkey.
I don't really like Christmas pudding much so I am happy to feast on the savoury and just finish off with a nice coffee and a Bendicks Bittermint.
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Post by Martin on Dec 12, 2018 12:45:20 GMT
Goose. They taste lovely, you'll never have better roast potatoes and because there's less meat on them you won't be eating it until February! At my dad's insistence (he was going for a Dickensian Xmas vibe)we tried one when I lived at home. It roasted away to nothing. Fortunately my mum had foreseen this and done an emergency turkey. Too fiddly too, that’s why I like a Turkey Crown, 100% decent meat and easy to carve. The Christmas Eve festivities sound... interesting!
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Dec 12, 2018 12:48:22 GMT
Pigs in blankets, some mashed potato with plenty of butter (to supplement the compulsory roasties) and the bit I always enjoy is a really nice joint of ham with some cauliflower and cheese to add variety to the turkey.
I don't really like Christmas pudding much so I am happy to feast on the savoury and just finish off with a nice coffee and a Bendicks Bittermint. We don't like Christmas pud either. My in-laws always do a huge Apple Parfait that lasts for days, so I'm happy with that. I've also binned off mince pies and have Ecclefechan Tarts instead - much nicer IMO.
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Post by PG on Dec 12, 2018 12:55:04 GMT
Another down vote for Xmas pud here. I love it, especially with rum sauce, but it plays such hell with my insides that I've had to forgo it for good.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2018 13:07:42 GMT
We have to have turkey as the Wife insists. I've found in the past the more you spend on a turkey the easier it is too cook, primarily as it carries more fat. But I can't be done spunking that amount of cash this year. A bit of beef on the side for me sounds ideal.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2018 13:12:39 GMT
have a honey cross smeared on my face, check that the candle isn't pointing at anyone (they're dead in 2019 if it does), have the grandkids sing the freshly made bread into the room I suspect they hare similar traditions down here in Devon.
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Dec 12, 2018 13:16:16 GMT
One day I will pluck up the courage to do the whole American deep fried turkey thing; huge pot of boiling oil and drop the whole turkey in. It's supposed to be delicious, if a H&S nightmare.
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Post by Blarno on Dec 12, 2018 13:16:22 GMT
The less traditions, the better for me. I'd happily eschew turkey in favour of some denomination of roasted pig or bloody good curry. The older/more rampantly Atheist I get, the more of a fraud/hypocrite I feel for even acknowledging the notion of Christmas.
And I hate lying to Lottie about Santa.
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Dec 12, 2018 13:18:35 GMT
The less traditions, the better for me. I'd happily eschew turkey in favour of some denomination of roasted pig or bloody good curry. The older/more rampantly Atheist I get, the more of a fraud/hypocrite I feel for even acknowledging the notion of Christmas. And I hate lying to Lottie about Santa. Why would you feel a fraud or a hypocrite about Yuletide feasting?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2018 13:18:43 GMT
Turkey crown in a slow cooker if I can be bothered. Slow cooked heart and kidney casserole otherwise. no oven so no roasties but it is just me so not really a priority. NO poison (Sprouts) although I do know how to cook them. Bring to the boil and simmer for three minutes, allow to cool and dry them. Shallow fry for a few minutes and sprinkle with some ginger infused lemon juice to serve.
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Post by Big Blue on Dec 12, 2018 13:34:04 GMT
Goose. They taste lovely, you'll never have better roast potatoes and because there's less meat on them you won't be eating it until February! At my dad's insistence (he was going for a Dickensian Xmas vibe)we tried one when I lived at home. It roasted away to nothing. Fortunately my mum had foreseen this and done an emergency turkey. When I was a teenager (long time ago now....) I was tasked with grilling the sausages whilst my dad was down the pub. I was told in no uncertain terms to make sure I didn't burn them and those were the only instructions given. When we sat down to eat them they were definitely not burned as I had attended to them diligently. But they were a nice golden colour to quite some depth, having been cooked too long. "Case Hardened" was the expression my dad used at the time, something the metallurgists among us will understand. I'm actually laughing about it as I type.....
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Post by Blarno on Dec 12, 2018 13:44:31 GMT
The less traditions, the better for me. I'd happily eschew turkey in favour of some denomination of roasted pig or bloody good curry. The older/more rampantly Atheist I get, the more of a fraud/hypocrite I feel for even acknowledging the notion of Christmas. And I hate lying to Lottie about Santa. Why would you feel a fraud or a hypocrite about Yuletide feasting? It's not the food I feel fraudulent about, it's the whole acknowledgment of the word 'Christmas'. I pretty much just call it Crimbo now.
Sadly, the whole tradition of it is so deeply rooted in our society, it's difficult to avoid without being labelled a Scrooge or a downright miserable bastard. (I am, but only when it suits me..)
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Post by PetrolEd on Dec 12, 2018 13:47:34 GMT
If your having turkey the key is to put a load of butter between the skin and meat. I add additional flavour by dicing cranberries and herbs into the butter and obviously don't over cook it.
Stuffing, sage and onion and mix with sausage meat and some orange peel or cranberry.
Pigs in blankets remember to pre cook the sausages as obviously sausages and bacon cook at different times and avoids that horrible pasty skin under the bacon.
Roast potatoes par boil and then give them a shake in the pan to make them rough on the outside and then sprinkle a bit of flour on to make them lovely and crisp on the outside.
Carrots mix with honey, sprouts mix with bacon and then its all about the gravy. Giblets, water from the veg, red wine, flour. few mixed veg, herbs and maybe a splash of sherry or port to add some flavours. Voila
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Post by ChrisM on Dec 12, 2018 13:48:20 GMT
Ok, me is in charge this year and I could do with some inspiration. Food, (kid friendly) table decorations, starters. cooking tips, wine, champagne, the lot. Depends on what the kids like..... champagne ?? Turkey is traditional so has to be a good reason to give kids something else. Then it depends if they like peas and carrots, roast or boiled potatoes, sprouts (maybe give these a miss) parsnips, and plenty of gravy unless they like their meat dry. Stuffing and pigs-in-blankets - I used to find my kids liked to wrap the bacon round the sausages so that helped me save a bit of time. This year we still don't know who is coming on Christmas Day, may just be wife and me plus younger daughter, and I have a new cooker to contend with, that seems to need the temperature dial set higher that its predecessor. If elder daughter and her family decide to come as well, that's 4 more mouths for me to contend with. I've got 2 turkey loaf things on order for delivery next week, so if it ends up only being the 3 of us, I may be eating turkey for a couple of weeks......... EDIT: Table decorations: Do you have some brightly coloured or seasonally-patterned table mats and coloured paper napkins? Keep salt and pepper and any other spillable stuff to a minimum. Christmas Crackers with suitably naff mottos and cheap gifts inside, maybe an unlit candle or two. Starters: again depends on what the kids like...... pate and lightly toasted bread, small thin slices of salmon, infamous prawn cocktail, soup. Take your pick !
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2018 13:54:05 GMT
And I hate lying to Lottie about Santa. Interesting. Never thought about it like that, but I've been Santa at two different schools for the last three years and the kids have never asked why Daddy never makes it to the School Fair This year I did the old leave one door, come in another changed asking if I had missed it all routine
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Dec 12, 2018 14:27:58 GMT
Roast potatoes par boil and then give them a shake in the pan to make them rough on the outside and then sprinkle a bit of flour on to make them lovely and crisp on the outside.
I'd forgotten about that - semolina flour works brilliantly for a nice crunch. I have no problem with Christmas despite not being religious - we were feasting and celebrating Yuletide and the Winter Solstice long before Christianity came along and hijacked it. Keep religion out of Christmas is my motto.
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Post by Blarno on Dec 12, 2018 14:35:23 GMT
And I hate lying to Lottie about Santa. Interesting. Never thought about it like that, but I've been Santa at two different schools for the last three years and the kids have never asked why Daddy never makes it to the School Fair This year I did the old leave one door, come in another changed asking if I had missed it all routine Luckily, Phoebe realised about 3 or 4 crimbos ago that Santa wasn't real, but Lottie is a different beast and I think she is going to be devastated when she finds out.
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