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[Mr. Luchador]

Hi, I don't usually do these 'Help Me GAF' threads, but this year I think I'll seek the guidance of the internet for what will no doubt be a disaster anyway.

I have to cook Christmas dinner. It's my first one ever. My wife usually does it every year, and it's wonderful (while I do a Christmas Breakfast). However, we're expecting our first child on the 8th January, so rightfully so she'll have her feet up on Christmas Day. Thankfully, I only need to cook for me and my wife, and perhaps a few of the old people across the road who don't have anyone to share Christmas with, so I won't need to cook a huge feast. I just don't know where to start or what to do, and if I'm honest I've found a new respect for my Wife doing this every year!

So I turn to you NeoGAF Internet - please help me cook Christmas dinner, I have no idea where to start or how to make things nice. I would say my cooking ability is fair and I'm UK based (so things don't get lost in translation).

What's your cooking capability? Do you cook meals regularly?

Otherwise, just buy prepared foods from the supermarket like smoked salmon slices or frozen stuff.

I can cook, but don't do it often. I'll do a Lasagne once in a while, or Lemon Honey Chicken with Sweet Potatoes. I did a practice Sunday Roast last weekend and that seemed to go OK (mash Potatoes were lumpy though - woops).

Kitchen has

- Fan Cooker with 4 hobs
- Slow Cooker (aka Crock Pot)
- Microwave


Thanks.

Suggestions so far

- Slow Cook Turkey
- Bread Sauce

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

Order pizza.

 

[Dead Prince]

serve everyone but your wife egg nog spiked with lots of alcohol. that way they will be drunk if your dinner is terrible.

 

[Marty Chinn]

Got a crock pot? Get a roast, add some veggies and sauce, let it simmer all day. Enjoy the tender slow cooked meat.

 

[Union Carbine]

Good luck!

If there's a free/cheap trial to the Cook's Illustrated or America's Test Kitchen websites, they've got great recipes and instructions. There's probably outright free stuff on there as well, not sure, but I find their recipes work really well and their directions are clear and concise.

 

[Einhander]

Order Chinese takeout.

 

[Zane]

Prime rib. Thank me later

 

[How About No]

 

[Mr. Luchador]

Got a crock pot? Get a roast, add some veggies and sauce, let it simmer all day. Enjoy the tender slow cooked meat.

Actually, we have a slow cooker (which I've just discovered is called a Crock Pot in the US)! I forgot all about that, what a great suggestion - thanks!

 

[Mr. Doop]

You know what to do.

 

[Quonny]

If you have a grill, just make some steaks, some homemade garlic bread, some vegetables (grilled or steamed), and some biscuits with honey (either from a grocery store bakery where you take-and-bake or those Pillsbury tubes).

Bake some cookies for dessert.

Easy meal.

 

[Red Liquorice]

It's just like doing Sunday dinner with a few extras.

Don't forget the bread sauce, make it ahead and just heat it up - It's the best part!

 

[maxcriden]

Actually, we have a slow cooker (which I've just discovered is called a Crock Pot in the US)! I forgot all about that, what a great suggestion - thanks!

We call them both. 😊

 

[FloatOn]

Got a crock pot? Get a roast, add some veggies and sauce, let it simmer all day. Enjoy the tender slow cooked meat.

yeah, this is what I would do.

do some sides too. like potatoes, salad, bread and so on.

 

[Mr. Luchador]

Got a crock pot? Get a roast, add some veggies and sauce, let it simmer all day. Enjoy the tender slow cooked meat.

We call them both. ��

So the Meat and Veg all go in the slow cooker together, or meat in the slow cooker and cook veg separately?

It's just like doing Sunday dinner with a few extras.

Don't forget the bread sauce, make it ahead and just heat it up - It's the best part!

Any tips or suggestions on bread sauce or just buy it?

 

[How About No]

So the Meat and Veg all go in the slow cooker together, or meat in the slow cooker and cook veg separately?



Any tips or suggestions on bread sauce or just buy it?

Brown meat first then throw in with vegetables

 

[Entropia]

What the heck is a Fan Cooker??

Cranberry Sauce is super easy to make: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/cranberry_sauce/

 

[Mr. Luchador]

What the heck is a Fan Cooker??

A cooker with a fan in the oven base to circulate the heat. I know they're fairly common now, but it does mean I can't use the grill setting if I'm using the Oven.

 

[Tambini]

Don't forget the turkey

 

[Union Carbine]

Brown meat first then throw in with vegetables

Usually, the steps run something like this:

1. Add a little butter/oil in the pot.

2. Brown meat.

3. Remove meat.

4. Add veg like garlic, onions, etc. and cook them some (a couple of minutes, usually)

5. Add in rest of veg,

6. Add meat back in, along with stock, water, wine if you want

7. Bring to simmer, cover, and go.

8. Check periodically, add more liquid as necessary, season to taste

 

[clav]

What's your cooking capability? Do you cook meals regularly? What supermarkets are nearby?

Otherwise, just buy prepared foods from the supermarket like smoked salmon slices or frozen stuff.

 

[Mr. Luchador]

What's your cooking capability? Do you cook meals regularly?

Otherwise, just buy prepared foods from the supermarket like smoked salmon slices or frozen stuff.

I can cook, but don't do it often. I'll do a Lasagne once in a while, or Lemon Honey Chicken with Sweet Potatoes. I did a practice Sunday Roast last weekend and that seemed to go OK (mash Potatoes were lumpy though - woops).

 

[InfiniteBento]

Usually, the steps run something like this:

1. Add a little butter/oil in the pot.

2. Brown meat.

3. Remove meat.

4. Add veg like garlic, onions, etc. and cook them some (a couple of minutes, usually)

5. Add in rest of veg,

6. Add meat back in, along with stock, water, wine if you want

7. Bring to simmer, cover, and go.

8. Check periodically, add more liquid as necessary, season to taste

This is the best recommendation. Serve it with mashed potatoes and buy some kind of sweet for after. Super simple :3

 

[captive]

you don't slow cook a turkey unless you like soggy nasty skin.

Cook poultry at 300+ always. The only reason to slow cook a meat over time is to let connective tissue dissolve, IE brisket, pork butt, ribs, etc.

 

[Mr. Luchador]

you don't slow cook a turkey unless you like soggy nasty skin.

Cook poultry at 300+ always. The only reason to slow cook a meat over time is to let connective tissue dissolve, IE brisket, pork butt, ribs, etc.

Now you've said that, the one time we did a chicken in the slow cooker it was wonderful, but yeah all the bones had became really flimsy and it was odd.

 

[notworksafe]

cool dudes go out and eat chinese on christmas