WE'RE now mere days away, so I thought I would keep it simple with some easy-win side dishes for dinner on Christmas Day – or any day for that matter; they are that good! Have you made out your timetable for the day?
I always try to work backwards and get as much of the prep done the night before with friends, family and a glass of mulled wine. To help the whole process along, I have included cooking times for various sizes of turkey. Just make sure the juices run clear – an undercooked bird wouldn't make for a very merry Christmas.
I would like to wish the readers of The Irish News a great Christmas and an enjoyable festive period full of delicious food and happy memories.
RED CABBAGE
¼ red cabbage, shredded
¼ white cabbage, shredded
2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
4 tblsp yoghurt
1 tblsp wholegrain mustard
½ lemon, juiced
1 sprig mint, chopped
Start by cleaning and shredding all the cabbage and getting it ready in a bowl. Add the chopped apples. Mix the yoghurt, mustard and lemon juice in a bowl. Place the mix over the cabbage and apple, cover with cling film and refrigerate, preferably overnight. You want the juice to break down the natural fibres of the cabbage. Serve with a scattering of mint leaves.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH BACON AND CHESTNUTS
1 kg Brussels sprouts, cleaned and trimmed
6 rashers of smoked bacon
200g chestnuts, peeled
2 onions, finely chopped
olive oil
small bunch fresh sage, leaves picked from stem
butter to serve
Add the Brussels sprouts to a large pot of water boiling on the hob, with a good pinch of salt. Boil for about five minutes until tender but not soft. Remove from pot.
Place a large frying pan on the hob, chop up the bacon and start frying, adding a drizzle of olive oil; once sizzling, turn down the heat. Chop up the water chestnuts and add to the pan. Once golden, add the onions and sage; reduce the heat and cook until soft.
Add the Brussels sprouts and give the pan a good shake so that they get covered in the onions, bacon and the water chestnuts. Add the butter and mix. You can place in an oven-proof dish in the bottom of the oven until ready to serve.
COOKING TIMES FOR TURKEY
Weight Serves Cooking time
4kg 6 15 minutes at 200C plus 2 hours at 180C
5kg 8 15 minutes at 200C plus 2.5 hours at 180C
6kg 10 20 minutes at 200C plus 3 hours at 180C
7kg 12 20 minutes at 200C plus 3.5 hours at 180C
8kg 14 30 minutes at 200C plus 4 hours at 180C
