Christmas Cooking Plans....

I spent about an hour and a half today making a Christmas cooking timetable, just so the whole process goes smoothly.....

There's about 6 items which have to go in the oven:

• Goose
• Potatoes
• Carrots and Parsnips
• Yorkshires
• Pigs in blankets
• Caulifower cheese...

And then hob items...

• Sprouts and pancetta
• Gravy
• Braised cabbage.

I think that's it - someone else is making the stuffing and bringing that thank gods!

I did the plan in word and split it into timings, in five minute slots, starting at 10.30 and going all the way up to 16.15 - serving time, late I know but someone's getting off a shift late, so there you go!

We're starting off early to allow plenty of time for prep...

Nothing too stressful in there!

I guess the main early event is getting the Goose in early - it has to rest for 30 mins after, and more won't hurt it, so it makes sense....

It really kicks off at 15.00 when the potatoes go in followed by most other things in fairly rapid succession...

And all the way up to the serving time, I even put in when the custard's got to go on for the Pud!

Part of he reason for having all of this in one document is that we're following eight different recipes - some of which are complex and just having it all written down is going to make life so much easier!

I even remembered to increase/ decrease the timings because some things require slightly different temperatures!

I actually really enjoyed doing this, and hopefully my first Xmas in 15 years or so will now be plain sailing!

Failing that i'm sure the diners will be a forgiving crowd, and I'm not that fussy!