Chefs share their time-saving Christmas dinner hacks, from roasting ALL the vegetables to cooking the turkey overnight
CHRISTMAS Day is all about spending quality time with loved ones – but at least one member of the family often ends up losing a huge chunk of the day cooking in the kitchen.
But thanks to these handy time-saving hacks – revealed by top chefs – we can spend more time scoffing Quality Street and watching Love Actually and less time sweltering over a hot stove.
Don’t boil your veg
According to Tom Cenci, Executive Chef at Duck & Waffle, roasting ALL your veg is the way to go.
He told Good Housekeeping: “All can be roasted from raw, especially sprouts, and have much more flavour for doing so.
“I simply pan fry my spouts with a little oil from raw and finish with a little soy sauce and orange.”
Sounds delicious…
Cook your turkey overnight
To save time on the big day, Cyrus Todiwala from Mr Todiwala’s Kitchen, told Good Housekeeping that cooking your bird the night before is key to saving time.
“Once your turkey is totally defrosted and marinated if need be, cover with bacon rashers and then place in the oven as late as you can on Christmas Eve at no more than 75-80°C,” he revealed.
“This will enable the turkey to cook gently and slowly and remain moist.”
Always choose a turkey crown
There’s nothing more stressful than attempting to put your turkey in the oven – only to realise it doesn’t fit.
According to Guy Betteridge from South Place Hotel Chop House, opting for a crown – instead of the whole bird – is always the best choice.
“I always choose to cook a turkey crown rather than the whole bird,” he told Good Housekeeping.
“It needs a little more attention whilst cooking, but in the end is delicious.”
What are your top Christmas cooking hacks?
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