If you decide to make things at home to put in to gourmet food gift baskets and Christmas hampers you should make sure that the ingredients are fresh and prepared in the best possible way
If you are preparing that perfect Christmas cake try adding one dessert spoon of sherry or rum for every pound of fruit you are going to use and soak the fruit overnight, before heating the oven place a container in the bottom of the oven containing water, this helps to create a warm moist place which will lead to the perfect moist Christmas cake. When you remove the cake, do so in a room without a draught and leave to cool before first wrapping the cake in greaseproof paper then wrapping in tinfoil and store in a cool dry place
Adding coins to your Christmas pudding is a traditional and fun addition to anyone's eating experience on that special day. It a good idea to tell warn your guests or you could be calling the ambulance or paying for some expensive dental treatment. You will get the best results by adding the coins when the pudding has been cooked. As many coins have been subjected to rather nasty bacteria from people's fingers, it is a good idea to boil them for a few minutes in a pan. Finally, spread them evenly throughout the cake to avoid the disappointment of your guests
The turkey in most homes is usually the centrepiece of the Christmas dinner. After many hours of cooking; you present it in all its glory, the perfect golden skin cooked to perfection. Now you have to carve it and you need to do this the right way in order to ensure its served as good as it smells, if you plan on carving soon after roasting then cover the turkey with foil and allow to stand for 15 minutes. Always make sure you cut the dark meat first before the light and the secret to removing the wings, legs and thighs is to finding where the bones meet and cutting between the joints.
Tips to help cook the perfect Christmas turkey
Cool your stuffing before you use it and make sure to prepare it in advance
Always make sure that when you stuff your turkey you only stuff the neck cavity
Cut and slice two or three onions and place these on the bottom on the dish and place your turkey on top of them, not only will they keep the turkey from resting in the juices they will also add flavour
It's a good idea to use sliced oranges or lemons to your turkey before you add the stuffing as this will add subtle flavor. Be sure to place these in the cavity.
You can season turkey skin with spices, salt and pepper mixed with butter of a light cooking oil to really absorb the flavors in to the meat.
Place strips of streaky smoked bacon over the turkey about half way through the cooking time.
Eggnog is a very popular drink at Christmas time and for many Christmas just would not be Christmas without having a bowlful of eggnog to warm and welcome visitors. Eggnog can be homemade and if so care should be used to warm, the eggs to 160f before use to eliminate bacteria or it can be store bought in cartons and you can add your own special touches when tipped into the bowl. Traditional eggnog contains alcohol but now can be bought in non-alcoholic forms which are suitable for children and for those who are health conscious then believe or not eggnog now comes totally egg free.
A non-alcoholic eggnog recipe for all the family. Take a dozen eggs and separate the yolks from the whites, beat the whites and add " a cup of sugar beating until the whites start to peak, take the yolks and beat until creamed, slowly adding 1 cup of sugar as you beat. Take one quart of cream and beat until stiff, then mix the eggs and the cream and add a little vanilla for flavouring. Pour the eggnog into containers and place into a refrigerator for at least one day, when needed shake the containers well and tip into a large serving bowl adding nutmeg to the top to taste.
If you are preparing that perfect Christmas cake try adding one dessert spoon of sherry or rum for every pound of fruit you are going to use and soak the fruit overnight, before heating the oven place a container in the bottom of the oven containing water, this helps to create a warm moist place which will lead to the perfect moist Christmas cake. When you remove the cake, do so in a room without a draught and leave to cool before first wrapping the cake in greaseproof paper then wrapping in tinfoil and store in a cool dry place
Adding coins to your Christmas pudding is a traditional and fun addition to anyone's eating experience on that special day. It a good idea to tell warn your guests or you could be calling the ambulance or paying for some expensive dental treatment. You will get the best results by adding the coins when the pudding has been cooked. As many coins have been subjected to rather nasty bacteria from people's fingers, it is a good idea to boil them for a few minutes in a pan. Finally, spread them evenly throughout the cake to avoid the disappointment of your guests
The turkey in most homes is usually the centrepiece of the Christmas dinner. After many hours of cooking; you present it in all its glory, the perfect golden skin cooked to perfection. Now you have to carve it and you need to do this the right way in order to ensure its served as good as it smells, if you plan on carving soon after roasting then cover the turkey with foil and allow to stand for 15 minutes. Always make sure you cut the dark meat first before the light and the secret to removing the wings, legs and thighs is to finding where the bones meet and cutting between the joints.
Tips to help cook the perfect Christmas turkey
Cool your stuffing before you use it and make sure to prepare it in advance
Always make sure that when you stuff your turkey you only stuff the neck cavity
Cut and slice two or three onions and place these on the bottom on the dish and place your turkey on top of them, not only will they keep the turkey from resting in the juices they will also add flavour
It's a good idea to use sliced oranges or lemons to your turkey before you add the stuffing as this will add subtle flavor. Be sure to place these in the cavity.
You can season turkey skin with spices, salt and pepper mixed with butter of a light cooking oil to really absorb the flavors in to the meat.
Place strips of streaky smoked bacon over the turkey about half way through the cooking time.
Eggnog is a very popular drink at Christmas time and for many Christmas just would not be Christmas without having a bowlful of eggnog to warm and welcome visitors. Eggnog can be homemade and if so care should be used to warm, the eggs to 160f before use to eliminate bacteria or it can be store bought in cartons and you can add your own special touches when tipped into the bowl. Traditional eggnog contains alcohol but now can be bought in non-alcoholic forms which are suitable for children and for those who are health conscious then believe or not eggnog now comes totally egg free.
A non-alcoholic eggnog recipe for all the family. Take a dozen eggs and separate the yolks from the whites, beat the whites and add " a cup of sugar beating until the whites start to peak, take the yolks and beat until creamed, slowly adding 1 cup of sugar as you beat. Take one quart of cream and beat until stiff, then mix the eggs and the cream and add a little vanilla for flavouring. Pour the eggnog into containers and place into a refrigerator for at least one day, when needed shake the containers well and tip into a large serving bowl adding nutmeg to the top to taste.
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