If you are in need of a Christmas menu, then look no further! Here’s my guide to making the perfect feast for 10, with timing and get ahead information to save you from stressing on the day. With a little prep a couple of days before the big meal, you will be ready to feed an army of hungry friends and family effortlessly!
The menu
Canapé:
Mozzarella and olive penguins
Starter:
Pork Terrine
Main:
Pancetta roast turkey crown with chestnut and sage stuffing
Sides:
Roast potatoes
Honey glazed parsnips and carrots
Stir-fried brussels sprouts with nigella seed
Sticky pigs in blankets
Cranberry Sauce
Dessert:
Salted Caramel Cheesecake
Cooking guide and timelines
Two days before the big meal
- Start preparing the terrine by marinating the pork as per Step 1 of the recipe. (~10 minutes)
- Make the Cranberry sauce and chill in the fridge until you need to heat it up on the day. (~30 minutes)
The day before
- Make the pork terrine and leave to chill until you need it on the day (~1hr).
- Make the stuffing from the turkey recipe and chill until the following day (~20 min).
- Make the cheesecake and chill (~2hrs).
- Make the sticky pigs in blankets and chill (~20 mins).
On the day, for lunch at 1pm – turkey served between 2pm – 2:30 pm
(Adjust timings as required for a later lunch or dinner).
09:00. Take out the turkey from the fridge as soon as you get up in the morning, around 9am at the latest.
09:00. Prepare the mozzarella penguins and set aside until you need them. (Or make the day ahead and store in an airtight container).
10:00. Prepare the turkey for roasting as per Step 1 from the recipe, heat oven 90C/170C fan/gas 5.
10:30: Put the turkey in the oven and roast as per instructions.
11:00: While the turkey is cooking, prepare the vegetables.
Peel, chop and parboil the roasties, set aside until ready for roasting;
Peel the parsnips and carrots and marinade in the glaze and set aside until ready for roasting;
Halve the sprouts and prepare all the rest of the ingredients for the stir-fry, set aside until ready to stir-fry.
13:20: Take the turkey out of the oven to rest for half an hour.
Put the pre-boiled roast potatoes in the oven, increase oven to 200C fan. roast for 40-50 minutes
13:30: Put the prepared pigs in blankets and stuffing in the oven and roast for 30 minutes. Put the parsnips and carrots in the oven, roast for 30 minutes.
13:45: stir fry the sprouts and start making the gravy.
14:00: Carve the turkey.
Needless to say, if you can get your partner/guests involved they can help with making gravy, stir-frying etc.
Your Christmas shopping list
- 600g carrots;
- 500g parsnips;
- 2kg floury potatoes (King Edward, Maris Piper);
- 800g Brussels Sprouts
- 3 onions;
- 3 shallots;
- 4-5 garlic bulbs;
- 3 lemons;
- 300g fresh cranberries;
- 1 clementine;
- fresh thyme;
- fresh sage;
- fresh chives;
- fresh rosemary;
- fresh parsley
- 100g goose fat;
- 18 cocktail sausages;
- 3 packs sliced pancetta;
- 2 packs dry-cured streaky bacon (20-22 slices)
- 300g Pork tenderloin;
- 1050g sausage meat;
- 4kg turkey crown;
- 1 pack unsalted butter;
- 6 eggs;
- 600g full-fat cream cheese;
- 300ml soured cream;
- 75ml double cream;
- 100g green olives, pitted;
- 1 jar cornichons;
- 25g pecans;
- 140g white breadcrumbs;
- 140g cooked chestnuts;
- 75g light brown muscovado sugar;
- 250g dark chocolate digestives;
- 397g Carnation Caramel;
From the pantry:
- olive oil;
- rapeseed oil;
- honey;
- wholegrain mustard;
- English mustard;
- Nigella seeds;
- Brandy
- Plain flour;
- Chicken stock;
- Caster sugar;
- cocoa powder;
- Sea salt;
- Pepper;
I hope you find this guide helpful. If you have any feedback of what more detail and info you’d like please let me know in the comments and I will gladly adjust the guide and add more to it!
~Em.
Food Notes 