Norfolk


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips5.jpg" alt="Simple Christmas table setting with gold cracker" class="wp-image-46049" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips5.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips5-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips5-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you’ve somehow volunteered yourself to be chief cook this coming 25 December, then panic not &#8211; we know just who to ask for kitchen knowhow. Gary Hunter has trained some of the best chefs in the industry at London’s famous hospitality school Westminster Kingsway College, so he can definitely teach us a thing or two. Now back in his home county, Gary has recently opened <a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/hunters-academy-of-food-helhoughton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hunters Academy of Food</a> cookery school in North Norfolk&#8217;s Helhoughton, offering courses to inspire kitchen novices through to <em>MasterChef</em> hopefuls.</p>



<p>His number one tip for a restaurant-quality lunch with minimum fuss? Get organised as early as possible &#8211; he’s making a list and checking it twice! Over to you, Santa, err, I mean, Gary.</p>



<p>&#8220;While it might feel like overkill before the big event, once you’re rushing around surrounded by resting meat, burning hot roasted potatoes and speedily cooling stuffing, a detailed checklist of what to do when can make all the difference between the perfect Christmas and a cold roast dinner made by a very stressed cook. Here&#8217;s mine:</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-order-that-turkey-asap">1. Order that turkey asap!</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips6.jpg" alt="Man holding tray with cooked turkey" class="wp-image-46050" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips6.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips6-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips6-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Make sure your turkey is ordered from the butcher well in advance, along with any other special items. Tell them exactly what you need and how many you&#8217;re cooking for. I use our local farm shop, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Heath-Farm-Shop-100054392176782/">Heath Farm Shop</a> in Great Massingham, for organic/free-range turkey from <a href="https://godwickturkeys.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Godwick</a>, plus I know that the gluten-free chipolatas are the best around (made from their own farmed pigs and to their exact recipe in-house).&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-get-onto-those-groceries">2. Get onto those groceries</h2>



<p>If you’re doing an online grocery shop, book your delivery slot as far in advance as possible. Or if you prefer to make the grocery selection yourself, don’t leave it too late. Again, I prefer to shop locally for all of our fruit and vegetables, and three to four days in advance of the big day. It goes without saying that I will forget to buy a couple of ingredients, but this gives me time to pop down to the shops and remedy that!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-what-to-cook-and-freeze">3. What to cook and freeze</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips7.jpg" alt="Pile of mince pies dusted with icing sugar" class="wp-image-46051" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips7.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips7-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips7-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>In the weeks ahead, make and freeze items such as mince pies and sausage rolls, which you can then bake from frozen for unexpected guests. I even make our cranberry and bread sauce a week before, it’s just easier to warm them up on the day rather than give yourself a big preparation list on the day itself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-check-your-equipment">4. Check your equipment</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/Christmas-lunch-tips2-1.jpg" alt="Christmas table setting with greenery decorations" class="wp-image-46057" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/Christmas-lunch-tips2-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/Christmas-lunch-tips2-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/Christmas-lunch-tips2-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/Christmas-lunch-tips2-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Make sure you’re not missing any vital cookware and have enough plates, glasses, cutlery and table decorations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-take-a-bath">5. Take a bath</h2>



<p>No, not you, the turkey! Create a simple brine solution (see below) to submerge your turkey for 12-18 hours, leaving it in the fridge whilst doing so. Wash away the solution with clean, cold water and pat dry with a disposable kitchen cloth. Following this process will help to maintain the moisture in the turkey whilst roasting.</p>



<p><em>For a simple 5% water turkey brine: </em>Add 200g coarse salt, 75g golden caster sugar, 2 bay leaves, 5 peppercorns and 1 zested orange to 1 litre of water in a pan. Bring to a simmer and stir to dissolve the sugar and salt. Add another 1 litre of cold water and leave the brine to cool completely. It should be completely cold before you use it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-sort-the-stuffing">6. Sort the stuffing</h2>



<p>Make your stuffing the day before, then wrap it and store it in the fridge (see recipe below). I usually remove the legs from the turkey and bone them out removing all the sinews and leaving just the flesh on the skin. I then place the stuffing on top of this and roll it up to create a mini joint of meat to roast separately.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-ace-those-roasties">7. Ace those roasties</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips.jpg" alt="Perfect roast potatoes on wooden board" class="wp-image-46055" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Peel, boil and fluff up the potatoes a day in advance, place on a tray lightly covered in clingfilm and keep in the fridge. This will help to dry out the potatoes and therefore ensure that your roast potatoes are crispy when you roast them.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-8-brilliant-brussels">8. Brilliant brussels</h2>



<p>Do as much prep for the Christmas Day dinner as possible – any peeled vegetables which will discolour in the air can be kept in acidulated water (about 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to half a litre of water will do the trick). It’s a good idea to parboil sprouts, then chill and finish them off in a frying pan just before serving. The acidulated water can also be used for cooking – cauliflower, for instance, will be snowy white if boiled in acidulated water.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-9-what-s-for-pud">9. What&#8217;s for pud?</h2>



<p>Have an alternative dessert to Christmas pudding available and keep it fairly light such as a chocolate mousse (see recipe below).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-10-have-a-merry-christmas">10. Have a merry Christmas!</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/Christmas-lunch-tips4-1.jpg" alt="Champagne and ice bucket with Christmas decorations" class="wp-image-46056" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/Christmas-lunch-tips4-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/Christmas-lunch-tips4-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/Christmas-lunch-tips4-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/Christmas-lunch-tips4-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Finally, enjoy the day! I’m normally on my second glass of Champagne by 10.30am!!&#8221;</p>



<p></p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



<p></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gary-s-irish-cream-and-gingerbread-chocolate-mousse">Gary&#8217;s Irish Cream and Gingerbread Chocolate Mousse</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips10.jpg" alt="Cream topped chocolate mousse" class="wp-image-46054" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips10.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips10-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips10-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips10-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><em>Serves 6</em></p>



<p><em>For the mousse:</em></p>



<ul>
<li>6 eggs</li>



<li>200g of dark chocolate, 70% cocoa solids</li>



<li>6 tbsp of Irish cream liqueur</li>



<li>2 tbsp of gingerbread spice</li>
</ul>



<p><em>For the whiskey cream topping:</em></p>



<ul>
<li>200ml of whipping cream</li>



<li>2 tbsp of icing sugar</li>



<li>2 tbsp of whiskey</li>



<li>Cocoa powder, or grated chocolate</li>
</ul>



<p><em>Method</em>:</p>



<ol type="1">
<li>Make the whiskey cream topping first. Whisk the cream, icing sugar and whiskey with a hand whisk until it holds gentle peaks – be careful not to over whisk it, as it will split.</li>



<li>To make the chocolate mousse, break the chocolate into pieces and place it in a bowl that sits over the top of hot but not boiling water. Alternatively, melt in the microwave in 10-second bursts until the chocolate is fully melted.</li>



<li>Separate the eggs, and then whisk the egg whites until they hold soft peaks</li>



<li>Mix the egg yolks into the melted chocolate, adding the gingerbread spices before whisking in a quarter of the whisked egg whites, along with the Irish cream liqueur. Gently fold the rest of the egg whites, mix well, and then spoon the chocolate mousse into six glasses, cups or serving dishes of your choice. Put the mousse in the fridge to set for at least 2 hours</li>



<li>To serve, pipe the whiskey cream on top of the mousse and sprinkle with cocoa or grated chocolate.</li>
</ol>



<p></p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



<p></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gary-s-pork-and-cranberry-stuffing">Gary&#8217;s Pork and Cranberry Stuffing</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips9.jpg" alt="Roast turkey on table with cranberries and glasses of red wine" class="wp-image-46053" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips9.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips9-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips9-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/12/christmas-lunch-tips9-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><em>Serves 10</em></p>



<ul>
<li>2 onions, finely diced</li>



<li>3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped</li>



<li>100g of unsalted butter</li>



<li>1 tbsp of chopped thyme</li>



<li>3 bay leaves</li>



<li>100g of cooked chestnuts finely chopped</li>



<li>500g sausage meat</li>



<li>50g Panko breadcrumbs</li>



<li>1 egg yolk</li>



<li>50g dried Cranberries</li>



<li>A pinch of salt for seasoning</li>



<li>Ground black pepper</li>



<li>A sprig of thyme</li>
</ul>



<p><em>Method:</em></p>



<ol type="1">
<li>Melt the butter in a large pan on a medium heat.</li>



<li>Once the butter has melted add the onion, garlic, chopped thyme, bay leaf and season with salt.</li>



<li>Place a lid on top of the pan and sweat for around five minutes.</li>



<li>Remove the mixture from the saucepan and place onto a tray to cool down.</li>



<li>In a large mixing bowl add the sausage meat, breadcrumbs, cooked onion mix, picked thyme, dried cranberries, chopped chestnuts, egg yolk and season with the salt and black pepper.&nbsp;</li>



<li>Mix well until it is combined (remove the bay leaves and discard).</li>



<li>Use the mixture to stuff your boned turkey legs, roll tightly in tin foil and place in the fridge overnight, ready to roast the next day.</li>
</ol>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/08/Hunters-Academy-of-Food-LBB5.jpg" alt="Gary Hunter at Hunters Academy of Food" class="wp-image-43794" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/08/Hunters-Academy-of-Food-LBB5.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/08/Hunters-Academy-of-Food-LBB5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/08/Hunters-Academy-of-Food-LBB5-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/08/Hunters-Academy-of-Food-LBB5-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong><a href="https://huntersacademyoffood.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hunters Academy of Food</a>, Home Farm, The Street, Helhoughton, Fakenham, NR21 7BL. Find out more in our Little Black Book <a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/hunters-academy-of-food-helhoughton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</strong></p>


How to make Christmas lunch a cinch!

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