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<\/p>\nOne mother-of-two is preparing Christmas dinner in advance, finishing the entire dish more than a month before the big day. <\/p>\n
On the big day, everything is prepared\u2014even the gravy\u2014so she can save valuable time by popping it all frozen in the oven. After her technique went viral, she shared her process.<\/p>\n
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As a mother of two, home cooking expert, and food waste campaigner, Kate Hall believes that making the most of her family’s meals while also spending quality time with them is essential. <\/p>\n
She came up with a method to make Christmas food (very) early because she knew how essential it is during the holidays <\/p>\n
and wanted to avoid problems like food shortages, price increases, and the hassle of being alone in the kitchen on the big day cooking.<\/p>\n
It all began in 2020 when she made a Christmas dinner in advance as a fallback in case something unexpected happened, <\/p>\n
like them being unable to visit their relatives. But cooking with a baby and a preschooler got difficult, <\/p>\n
so Kate started preparing and freezing single ingredients years ago to save food waste when she was on maternity leave.<\/p>\n
When she discovered she could use her freezer as a \u2018pause button\u2019 for different ingredients, it was her \u2018lightbulb moment.\u2019<\/p>\n
This sensible method naturally extends to cooking and preserving Christmas dinner in addition to helping with everyday food management.<\/p>\n
She gave an explanation of her process and urged others to give it a shot.<\/p>\n
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For a hassle-free Christmas Day roast potato experience, the 37-year-old suggests a smart tactic. <\/p>\n
In the days leading up to December 25th, par-boil twice as many potatoes as you’ll need and freeze the extras. According to Kate’s method, <\/p>\n
the potatoes should be peeled, chopped, and boiled for five minutes before being placed on a tray and frozen for one to two hours, <\/p>\n
being sure to keep them apart to avoid sticking. After the potatoes are frozen, place them in a reusable, sealed freezer bag. <\/p>\n
Simply bake the potatoes as usual on Christmas Day. When preparing Christmas dinner, Kate doesn’t overlook the vegetables. <\/p>\n
She peels, chops, and blanches\u2014that is, quickly cools the veggies in ice water after short submerging them in hot water for 1-2 minutes\u2014every vegetable before freezing it, <\/p>\n
taking care to prevent cooking. It is crucial to remember that the veggies should not be defrosted at this <\/p>\n
step of the procedure because cooked fruits and vegetables taste better straight out of the freezer.<\/p>\n
It is advised to freeze uncooked meat in its original packaging, including gammon and turkey. Should that not be feasible, <\/p>\n
you have the option to encase the meat with cooking foil and clingfilm before putting it inside an airtight freezer bag. <\/p>\n
Make sure the meat is completely defrosted before cooking it, preferably in the refrigerator’s bottom. A turkey will take 8 to 12 hours per kilogram to defrost, so schedule ahead of time.<\/p>\n
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Kate gives some additional advice if you want to try your hand at making your own Christmas dinner ahead of time. <\/p>\n
She begins by emphasizing that roast potatoes are a great initial step to take and that cooking them straight from frozen enhances their flavor.<\/p>\n
In order to make sure everything suits your taste preferences, she also thinks it’s necessary to have a test run. Lastly, <\/p>\n
she suggests freezing leftovers the same day, as long as they are refrigerated within two hours of cooking, because they can be used for soups or frittatas later on.<\/p>\n
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Kate finds that planning her Christmas dinner in advance not only reduces stress but also works out financially, <\/p>\n
allowing her to spread out the expenses over two months. She uses special offers on food that is about to expire, <\/p>\n
bulk discounts, bargain buys, and discounts to keep her Christmas food costs to a minimal. This reduces the possibility of food waste.<\/p>\n
With her unusual method to food preservation, Kate claims to save over \u00a31.000 (about $1.250) over <\/p>\n
the course of a year since she avoids last-minute purchases by freezing components individually.<\/p>\n
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Food must be frozen carefully though.<\/p>\n
However, it’s not as simple as one may believe to freeze food. Kate claims that it’s critical to stay out of <\/p>\n
the 8\u00b0C to 63\u00b0C temperature range, which she refers to as the \u2018food danger zone,\u2019 as bacteria grow rapidly in those circumstances. <\/p>\n
Therefore, it’s important to chill food as quickly as possible and refrigerate or freeze it within two hours if you’re done cooking <\/p>\n
and won’t be eating it right away. However, avoid putting hot food directly in the refrigerator or freezer to avoid boosting the temperature of other food.<\/p>\n
When defrosting, be sure to take off any packaging before placing the food on a plate in the refrigerator’s bottom or <\/p>\n
using a microwave on the defrost setting. After that is finished, the meal should be eaten within 24 hours or, if you chose to cook it in a microwave, immediately.<\/p>\n
Most families get together at Christmas to spend valuable time together, and the most anticipated part of the day is probably the Christmas dinner. However, <\/p>\n