Deck the Halls and Carve the Meat – Exploring Christmas Dinner Traditions and Perfect Roasts

by admin | Dec 7, 2023 | Christmas, Cooking tips

Deck the Halls and Carve the Meat – Exploring Christmas Dinner Traditions and Perfect Roasts

Christmas dinner holds a significant place in the hearts and traditions of many people around the world. It’s a time when families and loved ones come together to share a delicious meal and celebrate the festive season.

The rituals and traditions surrounding Christmas dinners have evolved over time. They have become a significant part of gatherings held during Christmas, bringing people together and creating cherished memories.

What does a traditional Christmas dinner look like for you?

Turkey

The most iconic choice for Christmas dinner is turkey. It has been a centrepiece of Christmas dinners for generations. Turkeys can come in many different sizes, making them perfect for feeding a crowd or just a few people. The versatility of turkey and its tender, lean nature are perfect for this special dinner. The only other choice is whether you go for a whole turkey or just get a crown and reduce the faff of cooking the entire bird.

Goose

Another popular option is a goose, traditionally eaten during Christmas before turkeys became widely available. Goose meat is well known for its rich flavour and succulent texture. Many people choose goose for its indulgent taste and the sense of tradition it brings to the table.

Gammon

For those who prefer something a bit different, gammon is a delicious choice. Gammon is a cured ham typically roasted and served with a sweet glaze. It adds a unique and savoury element to the Christmas dinner spread.

Beef

Beef is also a popular choice for Christmas dinner, with options like roast beef or prime rib. The succulent and tender meat and flavourful gravy will impress guests and create a memorable dining experience.

Pork

Lastly, pork, especially roast pork with crispy crackling, is enjoyed by many during the festive season. The juicy meat and crunchy crackling combine to create a delightful contrast of textures and flavours.

Roasting is the most common cooking method for the main course, as it helps to seal in the flavours and ensures tender and juicy meat. However, other cooking methods like smoking or slow cooking can also add different flavours and textures.

To make your Christmas dinner preparation less stressful, here are a few tips:

Plan ahead: Create a detailed shopping list and your cooking schedule to avoid any last-minute rushes. Visit our website to secure your Christmas meat delivery slot and save yourself even more time rushing to the shops!
Delegate tasks: Get your family and friends involved in the preparation process. Assign different tasks to lighten the workload and create a sense of togetherness.
Prepare in advance: Many dishes can be prepared and reheated on the day of the dinner. This will save you valuable time and reduce stress on the day.
Don’t forget the leftovers: Christmas dinner leftovers are often just as delicious as the main meal itself. Plan some creative recipes for using up the leftovers, such as turkey sandwiches, bubble and squeak, or even a hearty turkey soup.

Whatever your choice, visit us and pick up your favourite Taylor’s meat for Christmas dinner.

Mastering Gammon: A Guide to Cooking and Glazing

by admin | Nov 6, 2023 | Christmas, Recipes

Mastering Gammon: A Guide to Cooking and Glazing

Gammon is an excellent alternative to your usual roast meats. There are so many options for gammon, and you can enjoy it with various accompaniments. Whether you’re hosting a special occasion or want to elevate your weeknight dinner, these gammon recipes will satisfy your cravings.

Classic Boiled Gammon

To begin, weigh your gammon to calculate the cooking time. Then, follow these steps:

Place the gammon in a large pan and cover it with cold water.
Add flavourings of your choice, such as cinnamon, bay leaves, peppercorns, coriander seeds, and onion.
Bring the water to a boil and cook for 30 minutes per 450g/1lb of gammon.
Periodically skim off any white froth that rises to the surface and discard it.
Remove the pan from the heat and let the gammon cool in the stock.
Drain the gammon and chill it until ready to serve.
Slice and enjoy!

Glazed Baked Gammon

If you prefer a caramelised and slightly crispy finish, you can bake your gammon using this method:

After boiling the gammon according to the instructions above, drain it and reserve the stock if desired.
Allow the gammon to cool slightly and remove the top layer of skin, leaving a thin layer of fat around the meat.
Score the fat with a sharp knife and brush it with your choice of glaze. A mixture of maple syrup and coarse-grain mustard works wonders!
For an extra touch of flavour, you can also stud the fat with cloves.
Place the gammon in a foil-lined roasting tin and bake it at 220C/fan 200C for 20-30 minutes (based on a 5kg ham) or until the glaze turns golden.
Let it rest for a few minutes before carving.

These gammon recipes are versatile and can be adapted to suit your taste preferences. Feel free to experiment with different glazes, herbs, and spices to create a dish that suits your palate. Serve the gammon alongside your favourite sides, such as roasted vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad.

So next time you’re planning a special meal or craving a hearty dinner, give these gammon recipes a try. Your taste buds will thank you!

Taylor’s Xmas Message

by admin | Dec 19, 2022 | Christmas

A Christmas Message from Taylor’s

As we come up to Christmas we would like to pass our thanks onto all of our amazing customers for all of the orders over this festive period, and we hope we have helped customers with their deliveries.

The amount of orders we have had has been unbelieveable and we would like to offer everybody a coupon code to use in the New Year.

NewYear-NewMeat

To redeem it please click the code above to automatically apply it to your shop, or copy and paste it in at checkout.

To help all of our staff prepare for the last deliveries and collections, ALL NEW deliveries and collections will be closed today and reopened on the 28th Decemeber.

Walk-in’s are still open for the Ashby + St John’s Market stall, our opening times for here are:

Xmas Opening Hours

If you are going to be out during the day of your delivery, please leave us a note for the driver and we will kindly follow the instructions.

For all Click & Collect orders please follow the instructions for the shop:

Click & Collect Information

Finally, we would like to conclude by passing on a wonderful festive period to all our customers, we look forward to seeing you all in the new year. All the best from Ash & the team.

Tips and Tricks to make Christmas dinner a success

by admin | Dec 12, 2022 | Christmas, Cooking tips

Tips and tricks to make Christmas dinner a success

It’s that time of year again! Christmas is just around the corner and that means it’s time to start thinking about what you’re going to make for your Christmas dinner. Whether you’re hosting a big crowd or just cooking for your immediate family, there are some things you can do to take the stress out of cooking. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you out. Merry Christmas!

Make your gravy, roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings in advance

Try prepping your gravy, roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings in advance. This will save you heaps of time on the day. Gravy made ahead of time can taste even more flavourful! If you are not sure how try following this recipe from Jamie Oliver for luxurious Christmas gravy. Yorkshire puddings can be made in December and frozen ready for Christmas day. For your roasties, all you need to do is prep them, boil them until soft and coat them in your flavourings and fat and then freeze them, ready for roasting on Christmas day.

Prep your veg the day before

Prepping vegetables on Christmas Eve can be a real timesaver. Peel, grate and chop all your veggies and leave them in water overnight. This way, you don’t have to spend all of Christmas morning in the kitchen.

Stay on top of the washing up

Keeping your kitchen clear of clutter is vital on Christmas day!! Don’t let those pots mount up so that you are searching everywhere for the equipment you need. Especially if you have a small kitchen. A messy kitchen can make you feel overwhelmed. Why not allocate the washing up to someone else so that you can focus on the cooking?

Roast your sprouts

Roast your sprouts and say goodbye to boiled sprout boredom! Roasting sprouts elevates them to another level, with a delicious savoury crunchiness. Sprouts can be roasted in the oven in no time with versatile seasonings – sprinkle on some garlic powder and you’ll have a healthy side dish that’s sure to attract the taste buds of everyone at the table. Who knew sprouts could taste so good? The key is roasting them until they are lightly golden – perfect for snacking or creating unique holiday dishes. So give those sprouts a chance and switch up your mealtime routine by roasting them for delicious results.

Cook your turkey upside down

Don’t settle for boring turkey this season! The idea of cooking the turkey upside down might sound crazy, but it produces a juicy and flavorful turkey every time. Not only is it an easy way to get the moisture back into your turkey, but cooking the turkey upside down also prevents those delicious juices from running off. So why not give it a try? You may just be surprised by the results!

Cover parts of your turkey with foil if they are cooking too quickly

For turkey lovers out there, here’s an important tip for the big day: keep an eye on your bird! If parts of your turkey seem to be cooking too quickly, cover them with a layer of tin foil. This simple trick will help ensure that every part of your turkey is cooked to perfection. Plus, if you decide to make use of this tip, it’ll be great fun watching everyone think you’ve come up with a unique turkey-cooking technique – you’re welcome!

So, there you have it – our top tips for a stress-free Christmas dinner. We hope you find them helpful! If you’re feeling inspired to try out some of these ideas, why not get started in the kitchen today? Merry Christmas everyone!

Recipes Ideas for Your Christmas Leftovers

by admin | Dec 16, 2021 | Christmas, Cooking tips, Recipes

Recipes Ideas for Your
Christmas Leftovers

Christmas is a time of celebration and food is often the main event. But what do you do with all the leftovers? There are lots of different options to use up your Christmas dinner leftovers like bubble and squeak, turkey and ham pie, or turkey curry. Plus it’s an opportunity to try new dishes you might not have tried before!

Bubble and Squeak

Bubble and squeak is a simple recipe that combines most, if not all of your Christmas day leftovers. It’s an English classic that is simple to make.

For Christmas bubble and squeak you will need:

Mash potato
Roast potato
Any or all of your leftover veg
Turkey

Simply mash the ingredients together, you can use as much or as little as you need – depending on how many people you are feeding. Fry your mixture until it’s crispy on the outside and cooked through. Serve with a fried or poached egg or just with your leftover gravy.

Turkey and Ham Pie

Using leftover turkey and ham in this pie creates a beautiful boxing day meal. Add a ready-made shortcrust or puff pastry to your pre-Christmas shop in preparation for your pie. You will need;

Olive oil
Butter
1 Large onion
2 Garlic cloves
250g Leftover turkey, shredded
250g Leftover ham, shredded
175ml dry white wine
Sage
3tbsp double cream
150ml chicken stock
1 tbsp dijon mustard
Juice of half a lemon
Handful of parsley
Plain flour for dusting
375g shortcrust or puff pastry
1 egg, beaten

Simply heat the oil and butter and gently fry the onion for 10 mins. Add the garlic, turkey and ham – fry for a further 2 minutes. Add the white wine and reduce by half, then stir in sage, double cream, stock and mustard. Cook for 3-4 minutes and add the lemon juice to taste. Stir in the parsley, pour into an oven-proof dish and set aside to cool.

Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6. Prepare the pastry and place it on top of the pie, brush with the egg glaze and bake for 30-40 minutes.

Turkey curry

Turkey curry is a leftover favourite for many Brits! You can keep it simple by purchasing a jar of curry sauce in your pre-Christmas shop, or go all out with a curry from scratch. This Turkey Tikka is fantastic! All you need is;

Oil
1 onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
Thumb sized piece of ginger, grated
1 red chill
i, finely chopped
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp garam masala
1 tbsp tomato puree
400g chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp mango chutney
100 ml double cream
2 tbsp natural yogurt
600g leftover turkey
chopped coriander

Heat the oil over medium heat and fry the onions for 10-12 mins, stir in garlic, ginger, chilli and all the spices and cook for 2 mins. Stir in the tomato puree, chopped tomatoes and mango chutney. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir in the cream and yogurt, add the turkey and simmer until the turkey is piping hot. Scatter over some coriander and flaked almonds if desired and serve with rice and naan bread.

Leftover Turkey Sandwiches

A leftover turkey Christmas sandwich has the potential to be a fantastic boxing day treat! Here’s what you need to create THE BEST boxing day sandwich;

Crusty white loaf
2 tbsp mayonnaise
2 tsp English mustard
3-4 tbsp cranberry sauce
Baby spinach
3-4 tbsp crispy onions
250g leftover turkey
6 leftover pigs in blankets, halved lengthways
150g leftover stuffing

Cut two chunky slices of bread, combine the mayo and mustard and spread over one side of the loaf. Spoon the cranberry sauce on, add the spinach, onions, turkey, pigs in blankets and the stuffing – top with the other slice of bread and enjoy. This recipe should serve around 4 people.

Christmas dinner tips

by admin | Nov 24, 2021 | Christmas, Cooking tips, Uncategorized

Make your Christmas special with these Christmas dinner tips

Christmas is a time for gathering together and eating. It’s also a time when we get to show off our cooking skills and impress the family with some delicious dishes and tempting treats. We’ll walk you through how to get it right so that it tastes perfect this Christmas day.

The main event

Prepping and cooking your turkey is one of the most important parts of Christmas dinner. Preparation is key to cooking the perfect turkey;

• The golden rule – take your turkey out of the fridge and bring it to room temperature before cooking for at least an hour. Preheat your oven to 220C/Gas 7.

• Cut an onion into 4-6 pieces, half or quarter oranges and clementines and insert into the cavity along with a few sprigs of rosemary, thyme, bay leaves and garlic.

• Season generously with salt and pepper and arrange any remaining onion and rosemary around the bird.

• Turn the turkey upside down while cooking, this allows the fat to drip down and baste the breasts.

• Roast for 20-30 minutes then reduce the heat to 170C/Gas 3 and bake. Cooking time will depend on the weight of your uncooked bird (20 mins per kilo, plus 90mins).

• Check the temperature with a meat thermometer (internal temp should be 70C) or push a skewer into the thickest part – juices should run clear. If they are pinkish, cook for a further 15 mins and check again.

• Flip the bird and roast to brown the breasts, increase the temperature to 220C/Gas 7 and roast for 20 mins or until golden brown.

• Allow the meat to rest before carving.

TIP: Use the juices to create a delicious flavourful gravy (or buy some of ours!)!

Roast Potatoes

To cook the perfect roasties;

• preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6, put 5 tbsp of goose fat into a roasting tin, and put it in the oven.

• Peel and chop potatoes into even chunks then put in a large saucepan with cold water, add a pinch of salt and bring to the boil. Simmer for 4-5 minutes or until tender around the edges.

• Drain them and return to the pan, put the lid on and give the pan a good shake, remove the lid and leave for a few minutes.

• Take the roasting tin out of the oven and then carefully transfer the potatoes into the fat, coating each one on all sides. Roast for 45-55 minutes, turning a couple of times during cooking.

TIP: You can use vegetable oil if you don’t want to use goose fat

Love them or hate them -they are a Christmas must

Brussel sprouts are usually on our Christmas dinners, but do we really know how to cook them well? Contrary to popular belief, cutting crosses on the bottom of sprouts is a waste of time – don’t do it.

• Your sprouts should be the last thing you cook – boil salted water for 5-6 minutes, depending on the size

• Drain, toss in 25g butter, season and serve immediately.

• OR, once boiled, stir-fry the sprouts with lardons of bacon until the bacon is crisp.

Prep your vegetables on Christmas eve, this will ensure you are less stressed on the big day! Peel, chop and wash your veg so that you can focus on the main event on Christmas day – the turkey.

We all have different opinions when it comes to what should be next to our turkey, but I think most of us can agree that pigs in blankets are a must (Don’t forget to add them to your order with us)!