This has to be the best time of the year, family gatherings, time spent with friends, time off from work (for some), presents, Christmas decorations and of course not forgetting a fabulous and extravagant Christmas dinner.
This has to be the best time of the year, family gatherings, time spent with friends, time off from work (for some), presents, Christmas decorations and of course not forgetting a fabulous and extravagant Christmas dinner. With so many options available: Turkey, Goose, various birds stuffed one inside another, beef, lamb, etc. etc. you then have to think about what to have as a starter along with a desert. What accompaniments to provide such as vegetables, what drinks to serve? It can be a minefield of decisions to ensure that you execute the very best festive offering.
Oh how different it was in the not so long and distant past, we did not have the convenience we have today, whether for shopping, or indeed, cooking. Turkey is a relative newcomer to the festive table as it was far too expensive for many to afford. This is not so now, as it is suggested that this Christmas around 10 million turkeys will be consumed in the UK.
There are now also plenty of other choices to consider where you do not have to labour in the kitchen all day. You could go out to your favourite hotel, restaurant, pub, golf club, etc. However, this can be pricy affair and you will be directed by a time of the proprietors’ choice, not necessarily yours. One thing is guaranteed though, someone else will be doing all the stress related preparation and they will also clean up after you!
You could opt for a lavish feast which you can ruminate over from the comfort of your armchair and then pre-order online from your favourite supermarket chain such as Marks and Spencer, Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury’s or a wide array of other equally suitable suppliers, it very much depends on your budget. You can also have your delivery shipped straight to your front door at a time convenient to you, and, by an experienced delivery driver who knows how to take care of your produce. You will also receive cooking guidelines detailing exactly how long to cook the meal items for and at what temperature to set the oven to. All in all, if you do appropriate research, this option can take away a whole load of preparation and allow you to spend more time relaxing rather than being locked in the kitchen.
The choice, I guess, that most people will still opt for will be the selection and purchase of the whole gamut from the local supermarket, or, independent butcher, greengrocer and various other specialist outlets such as bakeries and off licences. This approach may seem like much more effort but it will certainly be more rewarding. The only tip for a successful Christmas dinner is to prepare as much as possible in advance and get the timing right. You can then enjoy the meal with your family and friends before retiring to a comfy chair for a well-earned relaxing break – this is also the time when the chef of the day should be spoilt rotten whilst others don their aprons and rubber gloves to tackle the mess left behind.
For some great recipes, tips and advice, take a look at www.britishturkey.co.uk, this site has everything you will need to cook and present a fantastic meal.
From all at NCC we wish all of our customers past and present a magical Christmas and a fantastic New Year.
Nick Cooper
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