As Christmas Day approaches, excitement and anticipation fill the air, with many already dreaming of the ultimate festive feast – and, of course, the classic Christmas dinner.
A new poll from Savanta revealed for the British public, roast potatoes are the most important part of this holiday meal.
And no Christmas dinner is complete without a selection of roasted vegetables to accompany the turkey and stuffing.
However, preparing this grand meal can be incredibly time-consuming, often leading to more stress than we’d like during the festive season.
But fear not, one savvy mum and internet chef, Abeygale, has come up with a hack to help make your Christmas Day a little less hectic – although not everyone is sold on her approach.
Abeygale shared her secret to preparing a stress-free Christmas dinner by part-making her roast potatoes and vegetables in advance, meaning you’ll have more time on December 25 to relax and enjoy the day with your family and loved ones.
For her vegetables, Abeygale recommends chopping them up and boiling them until they’re tender. Once cooked, place them on a tray to cool before seasoning with your favourite spices and a dash of oil. Then, freeze for an hour before bagging the goods up and storing them until the big day.
When it comes to her roast potatoes, she boils, fluffs with salt, pepper, and duck fat, then freezes them until ready to cook. On Christmas Day, she simply roasts them straight from frozen, just like the pre-packaged frozen roast potatoes you can buy in stores, until they’re golden and crispy – turning them halfway through for that perfect crispiness.
While some viewers argue buying pre-made frozen vegetables and roast potatoes is just as effective, others stand by Abeygale’s method, insisting the homemade version is worth the extra effort.
One viewer commented: “I want to do this and be prepared, but I can’t help thinking I may as well buy frozen parsnips and potatoes.” But she was quickly reassured by another, who shared: “I do this all the time with my veg and potatoes (for mash and roast). They taste lovely and are nothing like tasteless shop-bought frozen ones.”
Another chimed in: “I do all my veg on Christmas Eve. I put the meat in first thing, then the potatoes. I’m not spending all day in the kitchen on Christmas Day!”
It seems Abeygale’s trick is a hit with those looking to save time and enjoy a stress-free Christmas dinner – with the added bonus of a delicious home-cooked feast.
