Create Your Feast

Planning a Perfect, Hassle Free Christmas Lunch

Does just the thought of that evoke the wave of anxiety that you experience on that special day once a year? Well let me tell you that, even as a seasoned professional being in the kitchen for the past 35 years, I still get that feeling.

I put it down to it being one day we don’t want to disappoint our family and friends.

Over the years, I have developed simple ways to one; not spend all day in the kitchen, and two, prepare and cook good tasty food on a fairly tight budget.

It’s also important to know the capability of your kitchen and what you can afford, you don’t want to overpromise on the big day.

Another helpful hint is to think about what is traditionally mandatory fare for your Christmas settings, as that can add just a little bit more to the overall occasion. Ours, for instance, is a champagne brekkie with croissants - starts the day just nicely.

Then there are the much more interesting and fun things to consider, such as what kind of meat will be served, what kind of salads does everyone prefer, and the most important – dessert. Usually it’s pudding or pavlova in my family.

On the day, remember to stagger your prep, pre-cook as much as you can, and rely on reheating your goodies. Have all the veggies peeled and cut just prior to cooking, ready to roast.

I also find a 1 PM start for lunch is best as there is not so much pressure as there is with a noon deadline, it’s amazing how time will slow down when you set lunch back a bit.

Cook the items that will take longer first (usually your meats). Once ready, take out and fill up the oven with whatever else you have planned. This allows the meat to rest.

Most importantly, relax, take a deep breath and work your magic, and remember that seasoning is your friend!

Chefaholic Cooking School & Catering

Written by Stephen Lun