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There are decorations to put up, invitations to send, Christmas gifts to buy and wrap, cleaning... Phew! Properly planning your holiday menu is all the more essential to ensure a memorable New Year's Eve!
Detailed planning: the key to success
Whether you've planned a classic menu or a more creative one, start by writing down the progression of the dishes you'll be serving. By visualizing all the items to be prepared, it'll be easy to create a shopping list to take to the local fruit or cheese shop, if necessary. A theme may even emerge from this plan and inspire your table decorations!
Make sure you have this menu on hand when you visit the SAQ; the advisors can help you create harmonious food and wine pairings based on the order and composition of the dishes.
Planning your tasks in the days leading up to the festivities is a great way to gauge how much time you'll need to allocate to executing the menu. The minutes spent thinking about logistics, such as recipes that can be cooked in advance and then frozen, will save you a lot of time. You'll be less stressed when it comes time to serve your guests because you'll be in complete control.
To increase your efficiency, use blocks of time dedicated to similar preparations: for example, a block of time to make pie dough, cookie dough, baking the cake sheets for the Yule log, etc. Then, a block of time for preparing all the vegetables that are found in several recipes, then a period for condiments, marinades and other toppings. By reducing the number of manipulations, you will be remarkably productive!
The week before the feast
- Make sure you thaw your young turkey on time, according to the preparation technique that you have chosen from our preparation guide. Follow our advice to do it safely.
- Review your to-do list and make sure you haven't forgotten anything. If you still have a few recipes on your menu to complete, think about how to optimize your kitchen equipment.
- Get ahead of baking and cooking to free up as much space as possible on serving day.
- Store your food in the refrigerator in the dishes you will use to heat it: the fewer dishes you have to manage, the more quality time you will spend with your family!
D-Day!
Plan a simple, light lunch that's quick to assemble: you'll have enough cooking to do for the day! Gather your kitchen helpers around a cold buffet, for example, and share the preparation plan with them. From the youngest to the oldest, your family members can participate in bringing your holiday menu to life. Post the chore list in the kitchen and delegate tasks like cleaning, washing up, setting the table, taking out the trash, stocking the drinks fridge, and so on. This way, you'll have time to welcome your guests in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere.
Do you lack time to prepare your recipes?
Every year, the great classics of the holiday culinary repertoire return: meat pies, turkey and stuffing, Yule logs and other sweet treats.épicier offers you a range of choices to save you precious preparation time:
- Beef and pork pie cubes are ideal if grandma's recipe is a must;
- The 4 game pie or the Lac-Saint-Jean pie are delicious options for leaving the rolling pin in your drawer;
- The creamed baby potatoes, a decadent accompaniment!
- Pickled beets and gherkins, a tangy touch to balance the richness of the meal;
- The pièce de résistance, the young Quebec turkey, available in two sizes to satisfy the appetite of all your guests. Need advice on serving a tender and juicy turkey? It's this way
- Adapt your log recipe with prepared cake mixes, spreads, fruit in syrup and jams. This recipe for pear and maple log is perfect for a sweet tooth with local flavors.
In this article, you will find the range of possibilities offered by l’épicier to inspire you when planning your holiday menu.
There you have it! You've thought of everything you need to save time with your loved ones. This planning and organization will allow you to make the most of this special evening rather than being chained to the stove!
The whole team of l’épicier wish you a happy and delicious holiday season!
