Christmas is the biggest food event of the year, hands down, but it can be hugely stressful, what with family turning up, friends to entertain and a turkey to deal with.
Some foodie bits can be prepared ahead though – just thank your freezer…
1. Rudolph pancakes
If you’re more inclined towards a proper breakfast on December 25 than a handful of chocolate coins and a glass of prosecco*, pancakes freeze brilliantly. Make them look more Christmassy with simple decoration – or make mini ones to serve with smoked salmon as blinis.
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2. Gingerbread
Whether made to eat with a coffee, or to hang on the Christmas tree, gingerbread biscuits keep for a long time and still taste delicious. Plus, the dough can be frozen and shaped in advance, so if a load of relatives turn up hungry, all you have to do is pop them in the oven.
3. Christmas chutney
Cheese and crackers are mandatory at Christmas, which means one thing: Chutney. The homemade stuff preserves well in the freezer.
4. Roast potatoes
Par-boil your roasties several days in advance, then freeze. It’ll save you time and leave your hob free for on-the-day essentials, like gravy. You can stick the potatoes straight in the oven from frozen – no need to defrost.
5. The same goes for roast veggies
Carrots, parsnips – any root vegetable really – can be par-boiled, frozen and saved for later.
6. Yorkshire puddings
They can be a total faff, and if everyone is flagging on Christmas Day and in need of lunch, they’re not the most fun to whip up from scratch – so get them done beforehand and freeze until needed.
7. Mince pies (and other festive pies)
Mince pies, as well as fruit, meat, nut, sweet potato, and pumpkin pies are all okay to be frozen unless they’ve got meringue on top.
