Hosting a Stress Free Christmas Dinner: Part One

The key to being stress free on Christmas Day even if you are cooking and hosting the meal is to plan and work ahead.  Now, admittedly I do not have a solution for the stress caused by the dynamic of a large gathering of family members.  I don't have that problem (wink) so I can only make suggestions for the workload, but I do think that reducing stress in one area helps make other stresses easier to deal with.

It is not too late for you to implement this plan, even if you are reading this post just three of four days before Christmas.  Here's what's on the menu:
Butter Basted Turkey with aromatics and maple-sage glaze; mashed potatoes; gravy; onion and sage stuffing; cranberry-cherry-orange sauce; Roast carrots and Parsnips with honey balsamic reduction and crispy sage leaves; sautéed Brussels sprouts and squash with lemon, walnuts and goat cheese; layered salad; homemade buns with butter; Saskatoon pie with ice cream.

First, Get the Groceries (3-7 days before the event)

I bought most of my groceries a full week before Christmas to avoid the zoo-like arena that the stores become in the days before Christmas.  My turkey and veggies and a few other things that needed to be fresh are being delivered 4 days before Christmas. 

As always, I can't stress enough the importance of buying the best ingredients you can afford.  I ordered my turkey from a nearby Hutterite colony.  Buying free-range or natural protocol poultry makes such a huge difference in the flavour and texture of the meat.  It is also important to seek out and purchase sustainably caught seafood and fish.  I also get most of my vegetables, cheeses and other ingredients locally as much as possible.  Obviously citrus fruits and many other ingredients are just not available locally in central Canada, but I have been pleasantly surprised with the range of local foods that are available.  Local ingredients are more fresh and delicious as well as being more sustainable food sources (ie better for the environment).

Currently I use a grocery delivery service called Local and Fresh (Regina Only) that has made partnerships with many local farmers and artisans to provide easy access to a wide variety of locally grown and crafted products.  Check out their link if you live in Regina : localandfresh.ca

Finally, here is the link to the grocery list: Link to Christmas Dinner Grocery List
I have not provided amounts, and will not likely do so in the recipes either, you will have to improvise based on the number of people you are serving.

You will also need a large roasting tin that can also be placed directly onto the burner of your stove, a large slow cooker, a potato ricer and a digital meat thermometer as well as many other commonly used kitchen items that I assume you already have (baking trays, pots and pans and serving dishes etc.)