Traditional English
Christmas Dinner Menu

This traditional English Christmas Dinner is not as difficult to put together as you might imagine........just as long as you prepare in advance! Yes, advance
preparation is the key to successfully planning a lunch or dinner party.

Here on this page you will find lots of useful tips, planning notes and timetable and links to each and every, easy to prepare recipe........all to help you enjoy a stress-free, Christmas Day!

Christmas Dinner Menu

If you are planning to use this traditional English Christmas Dinner menu, I recommend that you first of all print off all of the recipes as well as this page of planning notes. Then get a large sheet of blank paper, and start preparing your shopping list. Aim to complete as much of the food shopping ahead of time, in as far as the nature of the food will allow. The point of the exercise is to ensure that in the last day or two before Christmas, you have completed most of your shopping, which leaves you free for the fun part.........the preparations!

Several Weeks Ahead......

• Prepare and steam the Christmas Pudding. Once completely cool, re-wrap and store as directed.
  

• Prepare and freeze the Pigs in Blankets.

About one week ahead........

• Prepare the cranberry sauce and store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

The Day Before.........

• Prepare and refrigerate the smoked salmon pate.
  

• Prepare the pork stuffing for the turkey. Wrap half of it in cling wrap and refrigerate.
  

• Stuff the turkey with the remaining pork stuffing as directed and refrigerate the whole bird.
  

• Prepare the bread sauce. Once completely cold, store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
  

• Prepare the giblet stock. Once cooled, pour into a clean container, cover and refrigerate.
  

• Peel and blanch the potatoes, and then toss in the semolina as directed. Once completely cold, cover and refrigerate.

A Few Hours Before.......

• Remove the turkey from the refrigerator at least two hours before roasting. Then, begin roasting as directed. Aim to complete the roasting about an hour before you plan to eat the main course.
  

• Remove the Pigs in Blankets from the freezer and allow to defrost at room temperature for about an hour.
  

• Prepare the melba toast and lay on a tray or large plate. Leave uncovered at room temperature.
  

• Peel and trim the sprouts and toast the flaked almonds.
  

• Peel and cut the parsnips. Place in a bowl and cover with cling wrap.
  

• Remove the cranberry sauce from the refrigerator and leave at room temperature.
  

• Once the turkey is cooked, remove it from the roasting tin and place onto a warm serving dish, cover loosely with foil.
  

• Prepare the gravy in the roasting tin as directed. Remove from the heat, cover and leave to cool until ready to eat when it can be reheated.

About an Hour or Less Before........

• Roast the potatoes, parsnips, stuffing balls and Pigs in Blankets.
  

• Prepare the brandy sauce and keep covered in a warm position.
  

• Cook the sprouts no more than 15 minutes before you plan to eat.
  

• Gently reheat the bread sauce.

And now all that remains to do is to serve this fabulous, Traditional English Christmas Dinner......

If this traditional English Christmas Dinner isn't quite what you are looking for, you may want to check out my alternative Christmas Menu or perhaps further ideas from my selection of holiday menus or further Christmas recipes.

To go from my Traditional English Christmas Dinner Menu to
AN ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS DINNER MENU
CLICK HERE