Published: 12 December 2024
At Christmas there’s lots of great things to do in Cartmel and plenty of places to eat but for Holker Hall & Gardens Chef Ben, Christmas dinner is always the highlight of the festive season. It’s a classic British Christmas feast that combines tradition, flavour, and a touch of indulgence. Whether you’re hosting for the first time or looking to perfect your holiday meal, these top tips from Chef Ben will ensure your Christmas dinner is a hit.
Plan Ahead to Stay Stress-Free
The key to a perfect Christmas dinner is preparation. Write down your menu and create a timeline for when each dish needs to be started, cooked, and served. Shopping in advance. especially for must-have ingredients like turkey, stuffing, and cranberries and support local producers wherever you can. Don’t forget to pre-order your turkey if you want a specific size!
Pro tip: Chop vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and sprouts the day before and store them in the fridge to save time on the big day.
Choose the Right Turkey
The star of the show deserves special attention. Whether you opt for a free-range bird, crown, or even a stuffed turkey roll, ensure it’s big enough to feed your guests (and provide leftovers!). Calculate about 500g of turkey per person.
For juicy meat, brine your turkey overnight before roasting. This adds moisture and flavour, ensuring your bird doesn’t dry out during cooking.
Master the Timing for Roast Potatoes
Crispy roast potatoes are a non-negotiable part of a British Christmas dinner. Use floury potatoes like Maris Piper or King Edward for the perfect crunch. Parboil them for 10 minutes, rough up the edges by shaking them in the pan, ensure all the steam has evaporated and your potatoes look fluffy and dry, and roast in hot goose fat or oil.
Pro tip: Heat your roasting tray and fat in the oven before adding the potatoes – this ensures they sizzle as soon as they hit the pan, creating a golden crust. The addition of fresh woody herbs such as rosemary or thyme with a few garlic cloves will add a delicious flavour.
Don’t Forget the Veggies
Traditional Christmas vegetables include carrots, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts. Roast carrots and parsnips with a drizzle of honey for caramelised sweetness and sauté your Brussels sprouts with pancetta or chestnuts to bring out their best flavours. Over-boiling sprouts is a common mistake, so keep them tender with a quick steam or pan-fry.
Make Gravy from Scratch
Homemade gravy elevates your meal to restaurant quality. Use the turkey drippings and giblets to create a rich, flavourful gravy. Deglaze the roasting pan with white wine or stock, then whisk in flour to thicken. Add a touch of cranberry or redcurrant jelly for a festive twist.
Nail the Yorkshire Puddings
Though more commonly associated with roast beef, Yorkshire puddings are a welcome addition to Christmas dinner. The key to perfect Yorkshires is a hot oven and sizzling oil in your muffin tin. Pour the batter quickly and bake until puffed up and golden.
Equal quantities of plain flour, eggs and milk makes the best batter. Whisk together, do not worry about lumps and leave overnight The next morning give another quick whisk and pour into a jug from as high as you can. This aerates the batter before you put them in the oven.
Serve the Perfect Stuffing
Stuffing is an essential Christmas side dish. Instead of stuffing the turkey (which can lengthen cooking times), bake your stuffing separately for a crisp, golden top. A sage and onion stuffing is a classic choice, but don’t be afraid to experiment with flavours like apricot, sausage, or cranberry.
Indulge in Pigs in Blankets
No British Christmas dinner is complete without pigs in blankets. Wrap good quality chipolata sausages in streaky bacon and roast until crispy. For a gourmet touch, try adding a glaze of honey or maple syrup in the final 10 minutes of cooking.
Don’t Overlook the Cranberry Sauce
Homemade cranberry sauce is simple to make and tastes far better than the jarred variety. Simmer fresh cranberries with orange juice, sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon for a tangy, festive condiment.
Dessert: Christmas Pudding Done Right
End your feast with a traditional Christmas pudding. Steam it on the day or reheat a pre-made one. For the ultimate presentation, warm brandy in a ladle, carefully light it, and pour over the pudding for a dramatic flaming finale. Serve with brandy butter, cream, or custard for a luxurious finish.
Bonus Tip: Delegate Tasks
Cooking Christmas dinner can be overwhelming, so don’t hesitate to ask family or friends for help. Assign someone to carve the turkey, another to mash potatoes, and someone else to take care of setting the table.
By following these tips, you’ll have a stress-free and delicious British Christmas dinner that your family and friends will remember for years to come.
There’s still time to enjoy one of Ben’s tasty dishes at our Courtyard Café, before we close on 23 December (see opening times here). If you can’t make it before then, the Holker Hall & Gardens Team wish you a Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you again in March 2025!