When should I start preparing Christmas dinner for approximately 8-10 people?

Question

My boyfriend volunteered our house to have his family over, and this is the first time I've ever had to make a Christmas dinner. (Remind me to thank him later....) I have no idea what I am doing! How much should I make? Is there anything that I could possible prepare a day or so a head of time? What should I expect? Any good holiday recipes? Or any good websites to get recipes from? I'm not the greatest cook, is there anything simple, yet crowd pleasing? PLEASE HELP!

Answer 1

If you have the time, start 2 days beforehand. If you're having a frozen turkey or ham, start thawing it about 6 days before. Plan your menu. Buy everything you need 2 days before. Make a list of what needs to be done first, second, third, last minute, things you can make while other things are cooking, like chopping veggies. Casseroles can be done the day before. So can a pie. Then you just have to have oven space. A cold pie can sit in the fridge and not take up oven space.

If you're organized, you also get some downtime and aren't running 200 miles a minute. :)

Answer 2

a roast turkey is pretty easy to cook. i always cook mine for around 20 mins per kilo of meat plus an extra half hour at the end. this can be prepared the day before and will be much easier to slice once it cools down.
serve with roast potatoes and boiled veggies of your choice,
to fill the table you can make some riceas follows:
fry a small onion and some small cracked vermicelli until lightly brown, add rice and continue to fry for 1 min(1 glass of rice). add a chicken stock cube , salt and pepper and plenty of boing water. stir every 5 mins until the rice is tender. when nearly all the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender, turn off the hob and cover the rice leaving it to soak in all the juice.
you can also make your own stuffing in a pyrex;
1 pack of paxo stuffing
1 pack of pork sausage meat
1 onion
breadcrumbs and hot water
mix well together until fluffy then bake for half an hour

make a simple starter such as prawn cocktail or garlic bread

i am sure that his family will appreciate the effort that you put into whatever you make
good luck

Answer 3

Sit your boyfriend down and figure out what his family likes to eat and what time you should serve dinner. This will give you an idea of when to start your dinner. You can make pies and cakes the day before.

Answer 4

We will be having Christmas Eve dinner at home. I will be doing all the cooking - which is going to be fun. I am making Roasted Turkey Breast, stuffing, yams, mashed potatoes, corn, brocolli, and rolls. Apple pie for dessert. Christmas is at the families - I will be bring a Spinach-Cheese bake - YUM.

Answer 5

Bake your pies and cakes the night before. Boil & peel your eggs for the deviled eggs.. place in water and store in frig until ready to make.

Everything else gets started right after you open the packages.

Have the standard Christmas dinner with the
Ham,
Baked Beans
Green Bean Casserole
Scalloped Corn
Baked or Candied Yams
Mashed or twice baked potatoes
Fruit Salad,
Deviled Eggs
Relish tray
Rolls & Butter

Good luck
Hot Dog

Answer 6

Call Caterers R Us!

Answer 7

i would wait till the very last min i could care less