Top Tips for Cooking Christmas Dinner
DUNCAN, FROM HAYDEN & BAKER, GIVES US HIS TOP TIPS FOR CHRISTMAS LUNCH
Catering at Christmas: How to Make Your Christmas Lunch a Success
With Christmas Day fast approaching, we caught up with favourite butcher in Surrey, Duncan from Hayden & Baker, to see what he recommends for a fuss free Christmas lunch - that’s delicious too.
Cooking Christmas dinner doesn’t need to be stressful. Follow these tips from Duncan of Hayden&Baker to help you get through catering at Christmas easy.
Ashtead Living: Aside from turkey, what other festive centrepiece meats would you recommend for a Christmas dinner?
Choosing something else other than traditional turkey this Christmas is easy - and just as impressive. We’ve got so much else we can offer you, such as rolled sirloin, beef ribs, stuffed pork, goose, cockerels, ducks, or poussins. They can still provide that wow factor, whether you have a small or big party, without compromising on flavour. We think Christmas can be a great time to pick something from our counter that you may not have chosen before!
Ashtead Living: What cuts of meat do you suggest for a smaller gathering instead of a whole turkey?
When catering to an intimate group this holiday season, opt for smaller cuts that still deliver on flavour. Consider the tender turkey breast meat, a perfect selection catering to a smaller group of around four to six guests. Again, for a small gathering ducks can be a great option and are easy to cook - as are rolled sirloins. These smaller cuts may be more petite, but that doesn’t mean you and your guests will be disappointed by any stretch of the imagination! Plus, you’ll still get into the festive spirit even if you move away from the traditional turkey.
Ashtead Living: What are your recommendations for cooking a turkey to ensure it stays moist and full of flavour?
To ensure your turkey emerges from the oven moist and bursting with flavour, avoid overcooking – cook with precision, adhering to the prescribed time. Our turkeys come with a pop-up thermometer, which are really helpful. Plus, you could try starting the roasting process with the breast side down as it allows the juices to flow down into the breast meat.
Cooking the average turkey for around three to four hours will be enough and stop it from becoming dry. It also needs to rest for almost an hour and a half - it will still keep cooking in this time but allows the meat to relax, making it taste better. That time will free up your oven to cook all your sides.
Finally, it’s a good idea not to fill your cavity with sausage meat (only do this at the neck), or any stuffing. It’s hard for hot air to penetrate the cavity and what’s inside - so it can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Keeping it empty or only stuffed with a lemon or onion will stop that.
Ashtead Living: Do you have any tips for preparing a turkey in advance to make cooking on Christmas Day easier?
Prepping a Christmas Turkey isn’t complicated if you get your timings right.
Preparation is the key to putting on a memorable Christmas meal - for all the right reasons! If you’ve bought a frozen turkey, take it out to thaw the turkey in the refrigerator ahead of time. But before you put any turkey in the oven (if it was frozen or bought fresh), take it out of the fridge a couple of hours before cooking to allow it to get to room temperature first. Consider parboiling potatoes in advance, preserving them in water with a pinch of salt, ensuring they retain their pristine texture.
Ashtead Living: Do you offer any pre-prepared or marinated meats that would simplify the cooking process for customers during the busy holiday season?
Absolutely. They may not always be out on display, but we can prepare any meat, in any way you want in advance of the day for you to order and then pick up. So if you’re not doing turkey this year, we can make you marinated chicken, beef or pork as well as gammon or ham, pigs in blanket and bacon.
At the end of the day though, don’t overthink the meal. If you’re choosing to serve a roast, getting the timings sorted beforehand is helpful - but try not to worry! Enjoy the time with your friends and family instead.
Hayden and Baker is part of the Ashtead Living business network. Their details and review of their services are here for you to read.