is it cool to cook the turkey on xmas eve to serve on xmas day?

Answer 1

being a chef and part-time chef lecture it is easier if you cook the turkey the day before -it cuts better-you have the bones to boil to make the best gravy you have ever had-the meat can be cut sliced and stored to make serving easier-you will have more room in your oven to cook all the other things-and of coarse you will not have to slave in the kitchen all morning waiting for the turkey to come out before you can cook other things-main thing to remember let it cool before putting it in the fridge

Answer 2

The best way is to cook it on Xmas Day slowly, then blast the heat for the last half hour. You can cook it on Xmas Eve but you'll have a very dry bird. Stick some bacon or other fatty meat under the skin (butter will do if you're not big on pig) to ensure the bird isn't too dry.

The other trick that some people do is to cook the meat in advance and then hide its coolness by putting hot gravy on it. Does the trick in many a restaurant!

Answer 3

It really depends on what time of day you are planning to serve your meal, what other dishes you are serving, how long your other dishes Will take to make, and how big the turkey is. Lets say you are serving at 3:00 and its a 20 pound turkey. Then i would say it would be fine because you could put it in the oven on Christmas for just a few minutes to reheat it and then you would probably have enough time to cook all of your other dishes as well.

Answer 4

I think it's an excellent idea - Christmas day is busy enough, isn't it?!
May I make a suggestion? Carve the turkey the same evening, and there will be less work the next day - and easier to heat up. (Remember to let the turkey rest 10-15 minutes after roasting, to allow the juices to redistribute into the meat.)
Christmas day, simmer chicken broth in roasting pan or shallow baking pan on the stove-top. Slide slices/pieces of turkey into the broth to heat. This will add moisture and flavor as well.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Answer 5

In what way cool? It would be more cool to serve something different IMHO.
Lets face it, a lot of people will be serving turkey in various forms for days after its initial roasting.

Answer 6

Go with Barbie. Cook it all nite in a electric roaster, or oven. I cook the first hour on high to sear and seal, then turn down to 250 degrees and cook that baby all nite. I guarantee you will wake up early, the smell in your house is wonderful.

Answer 7

My mum roasts her turkey in the oven the night before, slices it, and puts the slices in a pyrex baking dish. Refrigerate overnight. An hour before dinner she pours in a little chicken stock, covers it with aluminum foil, and puts it in a 300F oven.

It tastes great, it's moist, and you get the "roasted turkey" smell in the house!

Answer 8

In my opinion.........DEFINATELY NOT! Cold or reheated turkey is a poor substitute for a freshly roasted bird. Depending on the size of your turkey, it will only take a fwe hours to roast anyway.

Make the day special. Roast it fresh...see the following page for a great recipe and lots of tips:
http://www.gourmet-food-revolution.com/how-to-roast-a-turkey.html

Answer 9

Absolutely!

Answer 10

Yes it is! You can do whatever the hell you want to do! It is a holiday and you deserve a break!