Check List

Still a few fresh bits to get.  Will tackle that tomorrow.

Today, have nipped to Iceland and done a small shop there on consumables such as bread that sort of thing - nothing frozen apart from peas.

I am a bit shopped out at the moment and very tired, so some baking it is tomorrow.  Thankfully the fridge all got sorted and cleaned out the other day.

First port of call is that I need to get some tinned fruit into the Pantry.  Just bought a few tins to give a bit of choice over Christmas, but the Pantry stock up needs to be finished before the end of the week before we get to the New Year.  It is mostly just the tinned stuff as I really have stocked up on baking consumables and other items.

Then everything should have been accomplished.

Time for a Check List:

Monday

• Turkey in the Freezer  - needs to come out on Monday to defrost;
• Ham needs to come out of the Freezer to defrost.  It will then need soaking for a few hours before cooking;
• Need the Chicken Livers out of the freezer to defrost to make homemade Chicken Liver pate; the livers once defrosted will need soaking in milk to take away any bitter digestive juices;

• A lot of the veg has already been prepared and frozen, just need to take out on Christmas Eve/at latest Christmas Day;

• Same with Bread Sauce and Cranberry sauce which were both made fresh and then frozen;
• Have the Chipolatas and Streaky bacon just now need to turn into Pig's in Blankets; fortunately that is a job that does not take very long at all.
• I managed to get different flavoured jellies and therefore need to start the Trifle off. G does not like Sherry Trifle although I do not mind it.  Therefore we have it without.
• Get geared up to do Baking marathon on Tuesday . If I can slot the odd thing in before hand and get it out of the way with, then I will do.  

Tuesday

• Later on today, I need to take out the sausage meat for making the stuffing and make it;
• Prepare the pigs in blankets;
• Take out the frozen pre-prepared veg;
• Cook the Ham and Glaze it;
• Check on the Turkey to make sure it is defrosting properly.
• I am not doing a lot of baking.  I have bought in a lot of fresh fruit this year little oranges (Mandarins and Clementines), oranges, grapes, pears, kiwi fruit, bananas, melon). so no major puddings although I might make some homemade chocolate mousse.

I do intend to make though:

• A Black Forest Gateau (homemade); I have the Cherries and the cream.
• A Swiss Roll;
• Mince Pies;
• Coconut Cheesecakes;
• Shortbread;
• Some little buns for Butterfly cakes, Chocolate Drop Cakes and Dolly Mixture tray bake.  Basically a good all round sponge mix just flavoured and decorated differently.
• Mille-feuilles;
• Sausage Rolls
• Cheese and Bacon Pockets.
• Oh and some bread buns.

That should more than do us. However if we do fancy any other bits and bob's like a Quiche, I can make that up fresh.  I have slightly pushed the boat out this year for Christmas, perhaps I should not have done, but for the last three years things have been very tight.  However come January we will be going back to the frugal routine now that the Pantry has been stocked for quite a few months ahead.  Any fresh stuff left over will also be preserved in order that I get a head-start on Pantry stocking for this coming year.  Cannot afford to waste anything and I do not intend to.  I want to make as much stuff myself this year as I can as well as hopefully grow some stuff as well.

Thankfully will not have the late night shenanigans with preparing the veg as the bulk of it has already been pre-prepared apart from the potatoes.  Feels strange having this one ticked off the list, as it is such an old regime of ours.  However, if it gives me more time on the actual day that is all I am interested in.

I suppose really this will be a little bit of whatever what we want to eat this Christmas.  It is all good basic wholesome cooking, but for myself I would like to get back into the habit of having soup a little more often in the New Year which I am quite partial to.  I want to up my veggie intake a bit more than it is at the moment as overall I think it will help me a bit more on the energy levels.  I like Carrot and Coriander soup (even though I do not really like Coriander), French Onion soup, Tomato soup, veggie soup, Broccoli and Blue cheese soup. G is not really a fan of soup unless it comes out of a can!

Well it is time to get stuck in.  I have nearly everything I wanted to get, apart from some salad stuff.  However, the shops will be open after a few days and if it is still needed then, then we can go and get some. Otherwise am quite pleased with how things have panned out even though I did not quite get my act together in certain areas.  There we are it is how it goes. Am feeling blessed.

Hope your preparations are all going well.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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