Christmas Dinner 2016

The Hill Billy · 19-12-2016 07:40PM

jrby wrote: »

any suggestions as to how to serve spiced beef?

I don't mean to over-simplify things, but if it is warm I generally just have it on its own (by the fistful

) or maybe with pickled onions or gherkins on the side.
I also make sambos with it, maybe with mustard & sauerkraut.

The Black Oil · 19-12-2016 08:53PM

How much spiced beef would be enough* for 4 people?

*I realise 'enough' might not be in your vocabulary on this one...

now online · 19-12-2016 09:10PM

The Black Oil wrote: »

How much spiced beef would be enough* for 4 people?

*I realise 'enough' might not be in your vocabulary on this one...

Totally depends on how much you love it!
I got some today for €28 I'm not sure exact weight but it looks big enough for a slice each for 10 people x 2 days and with the turkey, ham and all the trimmings enough for a few sandwiches too!

Toulouse · 19-12-2016 09:47PM

Whoop Christmaaaaaaaas!!!!

5 adults for dinner. Two having prawn cocktail because it's my Dads most favourite starter ever and it wouldn't be Christmas without it. The other three are having smoked salmon terrines http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/individual-smoked-salmon-terrines/ because they are sick of prawns!! Melba toast too!

Mains are traditional Turkey and Ham with herby stuffing. I'll cook the ham the night before and glaze with honey and mustard the next day. Think I'll do some hassleback potatoes in duck fat just to get away from the traditional roastie. Veg will be carrots and sprouts.

Dessert will be Aldi pudding (I love it, it's so good!) and home made brandy butter. I'm going to make a Tiramisu too for the people who don't like pudding - philistines!

Speaking of which, has anyone seen Savoiardi biscuits anywhere. Lidl used to have them but I was in two stores today (Celbridge and Ballyfermot) and no sign. Does anyone know if any of the multiples carry them? It's not a great week to be scouting around for stuff so if anyone has seen them then I'd appreciate the heads up.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Gloomtastic! · 19-12-2016 10:01PM

Toulouse wrote: »

Speaking of which, has anyone seen Savoiardi biscuits anywhere. Lidl used to have them but I was in two stores today (Celbridge and Ballyfermot) and no sign. Does anyone know if any of the multiples carry them? It's not a great week to be scouting around for stuff so if anyone has seen them then I'd appreciate the heads up.

Aldi had sponge fingers in their biscuit section last week......

The Hill Billy · 19-12-2016 10:11PM

The Black Oil wrote: »

How much spiced beef would be enough* for 4 people?

*I realise 'enough' might not be in your vocabulary on this one...

2 cows worth.

To be honest - I don't know. Depends on how you are serving it. I'very never had it as a meal. I get 2lbs for myself & just pick away at it over a few days.

jake is right · 19-12-2016 10:16PM

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

Aldi had sponge fingers in their biscuit section last week......

Lidl also have them. In Bray anyway.

Dizzyblonde · 20-12-2016 12:24AM

The Hill Billy wrote: »

2 cows worth.

To be honest - I don't know. Depends on how you are serving it. I'very never had it as a meal. I get 2lbs for myself & just pick away at it over a few days.

Man vs beef

leahyl · 20-12-2016 04:34PM

My brother is the only one who eats spiced beef in our family so his wife will get a little bit for him

We have the turkey and ham and then.....the tail end of corned beef....soooooo good!

Ronan|Raven · 20-12-2016 05:36PM

Roughly speaking how long could one expect a fresh turkey to keep well in the fridge before cooking.. 2 days max?

I am asking for a... *friend*

RasTa · 20-12-2016 05:48PM

Just being told I've got to cook a 10kg Turkey.

That's going to take ages right? Might smoke it on the bbq to start

arian · 20-12-2016 08:07PM

Ronan|Raven wrote: »

Roughly speaking how long could one expect a fresh turkey to keep well in the fridge before cooking.. 2 days max?

I am asking for a... *friend*

It obviously depends when it was killed, but 7 -10 days isn't unreasonable, and a few days "hanging" should improve the flavour.

now online · 20-12-2016 08:16PM

RasTa wrote: »

Just being told I've got to cook a 10kg Turkey.

That's going to take ages right? Might smoke it on the bbq to start

20 minutes per lb and 20 mins over.
I'm cooking a turkey roughly the same size( 22lb) and will be doing it for 8 hours at 180 oC with the last hour uncovered to brown it

RasTa · 20-12-2016 10:05PM

now online wrote: »

20 minutes per lb and 20 mins over.
I'm cooking a turkey roughly the same size( 22lb) and will be doing it for 8 hours at 180 oC with the last hour uncovered to brown it

Doing it for the mother, there is no way it's 10kg as when I asked how much she said €35 so 10lb maybe

Surreptitious · 21-12-2016 02:19AM

Anyone recommend a nice cranberry sauce? And where would I get a stuffed Turkey crown for two people. TIA.

OldMrBrennan83 · 21-12-2016 06:17AM

This post has been deleted.

leahyl · 21-12-2016 12:04PM

Gonna do this for the glaze for my Christmas ham.....mmmm.....hope it works out!

http://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/recipes/2011/1007/745788-honey-and-lakeshore-mustard-glazed-ham/

Surreptitious · 21-12-2016 03:55PM

Anyone try the stuffed crown in Dunnes deluxe range. It's 40 euro and looks pretty big and rich as it's got the apricot stuffing and bacon already with it. I don't know is it too much for a few people? I did have the Lidl one before and it was nice enough but smaller. I'm not sure what to do, the Lidl one is 30 I think.

Gloomtastic! · 21-12-2016 04:12PM

Buttermilk has nearly run out in Aldi East Wall - the word is obviously spreading!!!

Dizzyblonde · 21-12-2016 05:44PM

There was no buttermilk at all in Aldi in Swords but I managed to get some in good old JC's

Whistlejacket · 21-12-2016 10:27PM

Surreptitious wrote: »

Anyone recommend a nice cranberry sauce? And where would I get a stuffed Turkey crown for two people. TIA.

Put 6oz of cranberries in a saucepan with 4 tablespoons of water and half a cinnamon stick (optional) and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for 6-7 minutes until the cranberries soften and pop. Remove the cinnamon stick. Stir in 3oz of sugar, a tablespoon of orange juice and a dash of port (optional) and leave to cool. Store in a glass jar in the fridge. It keeps for weeks so you can make it in advance.

The Hill Billy · 21-12-2016 10:42PM

Whistlejacket wrote: »

Put 6oz of cranberries in a saucepan with 4 tablespoons of water and half a cinnamon stick (optional) and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for 6-7 minutes until the cranberries soften and pop. Remove the cinnamon stick. Stir in 3oz of sugar, a tablespoon of orange juice and a dash of port (optional) and leave to cool. Store in a glass jar in the fridge. It keeps for weeks so you can make it in advance.

Mrs B does something similar, but replaces the water with my good ruby port.

/:)

Whistlejacket · 21-12-2016 10:46PM

The Hill Billy wrote: »

Mrs B does something similar, but replaces the water with my good ruby port. /:)

Love it! My mam (who doesn't drink) memorably one year poured a generous helping of Midleton Very Rare whiskey over the Christmas pudding... it was fantastic in fairness but not a use you'd generally be recommending it for

El Weirdo · 22-12-2016 11:53AM

Myself and the brother are doing the dinner this year and we're working with a boned and rolled turkey (I know, I know, I wasn't in charge of procurement). I'm finding conflicting answers when trying to work out the cooking time for it. Some places say 35mins/450g + 35mins @ 180c and others say 15mins/450g + 20 or 30mins @ 220c -> 200c.

Anyone here any advice? Ours is 4.8Kg.

Dizzyblonde · 22-12-2016 12:22PM

I've never cooked a boned and rolled turkey, but according to the Safefood website: http://www.safefood.eu/christmas/ask_safefood.html

Q: I have a boned and rolled turkey joint – Do I need to give this more or less time to cook?
A: For turkey that has been boned and rolled, you should follow the instructions on the label for those joints that are pre-packed.

If your butcher is preparing the joint for you, ensure that you know the weight of the joint when you are buying it. Turkey that is boned and rolled should be cooked for 35 minutes per 450 grams (1 pound) plus 35 extra minutes at 180°C / 350oF / Gas Mark 4 or 5.

Remember to check that the boned and rolled joint is cooked at the end of the cooking period by ensuring it is piping hot all the way through, there is no pink meat left and the juices run clear when the thickest part of the joint is pierced with a skewer.

El Weirdo · 22-12-2016 12:44PM

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

I've never cooked a boned and rolled turkey, but according to the Safefood website: http://www.safefood.eu/christmas/ask_safefood.html

Yeah, that's one of the ones I found.

Dizzyblonde · 22-12-2016 05:49PM

I'd go with what they recommend, but if you're afraid it will be too long in the oven get yourself a meat thermometer and check the inner temperature of the turkey at its thickest part when you think it might be ready. It's the best way to know for sure.

_Jamie_ · 22-12-2016 11:12PM

Whistlejacket wrote: »

Put 6oz of cranberries in a saucepan with 4 tablespoons of water and half a cinnamon stick (optional) and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for 6-7 minutes until the cranberries soften and pop. Remove the cinnamon stick. Stir in 3oz of sugar, a tablespoon of orange juice and a dash of port (optional) and leave to cool. Store in a glass jar in the fridge. It keeps for weeks so you can make it in advance.

This is interesting. I once heard that you shouldn't add the sugar until the end or the skins will harden. But other recipes say to add it with the water. Wonder if the former is true?

_Jamie_ · 23-12-2016 12:01AM

My first turkeyless Christmas day - spending it with my new in-laws who don't like turkey so it's roast lamb. They don't usually make stuffing but I am giving sausagemeat stuffing a go for the first time. I cannot do Xmas day without stuffing. I'm also bringing them spiced beef, and bringing to my folks too. I'm from Mayo and my new hubs is from Galway and spiced beef is unheard of where we both grew up. Neither set of parents have a clue what it is! But I worked in Cork for a few years so am bringing a bit of Cork to both households this Christmas. I'm also making cranberry sauce for the in-laws as I usually do at home. My mother is freezing a small bit of her ham and turkey for me so I don't miss out. I don't eat much meat since having chemotherapy last year anyway, I'm mostly about the veg, carbs and cheese these days with small amounts of meat. :cool:

Jose Maria · 23-12-2016 11:37AM

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

It's time to start planning the festive fare, so if anyone wishes to share or request recipes and ideas, this is the place to do it

Last Christmas I cooked Neven Maguire's buttermilk brined turkey crown and it was so good I'll be doing it again this year : http://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/recipes/2013/1209/744077-buttermilk-brined-roast-crown-of-turkey/

Can this be done with a turkey crown that still has the bone in or does it need to be butterflied?

Christmas Dinner 2016

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