“Tradition is just peer pressure from old people.”
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but I must admit this “terrible“ thing to the world. I have always hated the mess of doing a turkey at holiday time.
A week ago I mentioned to my daughter and son-in-law that I had to get a turkey so I could cook the darn thing ahead of Christmas Day. I’ve done it that way for years, the family loves it, and at least the mess happens on a quiet day of my choosing. It seemed to be as good as cooking a turkey could possibly get.
I didn’t expect much of a response to my comment, but my daughter surprised me by saying, “Well, don’t make a turkey then!”
My jaw dropped, and before I could answer she added, “Our family likes chicken better than turkey, so get some rotisserie chickens. You can make good gravy with the bones, and it would be perfect.”
Without the slightest bit of exaggeration, I felt an enormous weight lift from my shoulders. My nearest Costco is forty-five minutes away, so the next day I Instacarted four rotisserie chickens from there instead of making the drive and battling crowds.
These babies were plump and golden brown, and so were the lovely juices at the bottom of the package. I got to work right away, separating the meat from the skin and bones. The meat went into a pan and all the rest, including the juices, went into a big pot.
Once I finish the messy part, I covered the skin and bones with water and stirred in a big dollop of chicken “Better Than Bouillon” and put it on the stove to simmer. The result was some really delicious broth to make into gravy.
I covered the sliced meat halfway with broth, and put the rest into a container. Into the freezer they went.
A couple days later I made dressing for the freezer, and freezer mashed potatoes. Then I did some research and found that red cabbage freezes very well so I’m about to prepare that for one of our sides.
On Christmas Day, the house always smells wonderful as things warm in the oven, and serving the meal is a simple as making the gravy and taking lids or foil off of casserole dishes and pans.
If you’re weary this year, make streamlining the meal your gift to yourself. If you can make even one food item ahead, please do it. Or else, order pizza or go to the Mandarin! Cooks everywhere should be able to have a life outside of the kitchen on turkey day. 😘 🍗
Good tips, but we are going to the Mandarin instead. Something there for everyone and they make it festive! Good luck with your dinner and Merry Christmas.
That sounds like a terrific idea! That wouldn’t fly here, but enjoy! Talk about a stress-free holiday dinner!
Phyllis:
I am cooking the turkey Friday for our Christmas celebration and dinner on Saturday. I am also doing just as you say and panning it up to reheat on Saturday. My girls and sister will be doing the sides and veggies. I bought Betty Crocker foil pans with lids at Dollarama to make clean-up easier. I am cooking a full Christmas dinner on the 25th for Barry’s family. But that turkey will be cooked and panned on the 24th to make life easier. Thank you for ll your tips, thoughts, recipes, and wise words. They are always appreciated.
I love all of that, Becky. Because I don’t have quite as much ambition as you do, I like getting it out of the way a week or two ahead. That way I can completely enjoy the day. When my extended family meets, we share out the entire meal so no one has the burden, but for my own kids, I do like to cook. They take care of the traits and desserts. 🙂
I still love making a turkey 🦃 but let me say I don’t have to make it as often as you. This year I will be doing it for Christmas Eve for ourselves, then on Christmas Day will be serving the serious amount of leftovers for dinner.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
In for a dime, in for a dollar. If you’re making a mess with the turkey anyhow, it’s just as easy to make plenty for leftovers. Merry Christmas to you guys too, Gerry.
Our family has done roasted chicken for many years. The first and last turkey I’ve ever done was Christmas of 2012. It was good but we prefer chicken and all the trimmings and we share the load, doing it planned potluck style. Spending time together is more important than the meal for us. And those Costco chickens sure are delicious! I wish you and yours and very merry Christmas.
And a very merry Christmas to you as well, Emily. For our extended family we all pitch in and everybody does one or two things so there is no burden. For my kids, I still like making the meal, but they bring the fun things and dessert. It all works out, as long as I don’t have to do a turkey. There are too many of them under the bridge and I don’t plan to ever do another one if I can help it.