10 Tips to Holiday Cooking

The holiday season is a time of celebration, bringing together family and friends over delicious meals and festive treats.  But let’s be honest – cooking during any holiday can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Between juggling multiple dishes, managing time, and ensuring everything tastes just right, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Fear not! With the right approach, you can turn your holiday cooking experience into a breeze. Here are the top 10 tips for a stress-free holiday in the kitchen that will have you cooking like a pro and enjoying every moment.

1. Plan Ahead for Success with Your Holiday Cooking

• Why It Matters: The key to a smooth holiday cooking experience is planning. Start several weeks and months ahead by deciding on your menu(s), creating shopping list(s), and setting up a cooking schedule.  Allow extra time for each dish, particularly for large items like turkeys or roasts. Do a trial run of any new recipes before the big day. This ensures the dish turns out as you expect and want to include on the menu.  Planning ahead allows you to tackle your holiday feast with confidence, knowing you’ve got everything under control. 

2. Be Mindful of Dietary Restrictions

• Why It Matters: Make sure to consider any dietary restrictions or preferences your guests might have. Plan your menu to include options that cater to everyone, ensuring all guests feel welcome and satisfied at the table.

3. Keep the Menus Simple

• Why It Matters: While it’s tempting to impress with a complex menu, simplicity is your friend during the holidays.  Stick to a mix of tried-and-true recipes and a few new ones that are easy to prepare. This approach allows you to deliver delicious meals without the stress of managing too many intricate dishes.

4. Prep Ingredients Early

• Why It Matters: Prepping your ingredients ahead of time—chopping vegetables, measuring spices, and gathering all your tools—can save you a lot of stress on the day of cooking. This simple step ensures that everything is ready when you need it, allowing you to focus on cooking.

5. Make Dishes Ahead of Time

• Why It Matters: Preparing some dishes in advance can save you time and reduce kitchen chaos on the big day. Casseroles, desserts, and even some appetizers can be made a day or two ahead and simply reheated before serving. 

6. Avoid Overcrowding the Oven

• Why It Matters: Trying to cook too many dishes at once can result in uneven cooking, longer cooking times, and poorly executed dishes, especially when they require different temperatures.  Prioritize the dishes that need to be in the oven and stagger their cooking times. If possible, prepare some dishes in advance and reheat them before serving. 

7. Use Timers and Stay on Schedule

• Why It Matters: With multiple dishes cooking at once, it’s easy to lose track of time. Use timers for everything, from baking to resting meat, to ensure that nothing is overcooked or burnt. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness and avoid guessing. Always build in time to allow your meat to rest for at least 15-20 minutes before carving. This helps the juices redistribute, making the meat more tender and juicier.  Staying on schedule helps keep the meal on track and reduces last-minute stress.

8. Ask for Help

• Why It Matters: You don’t have to do everything yourself! Get your family or friends involved by assigning tasks like setting the table, preparing drinks, or chopping vegetables. Delegating tasks not only lightens your load but also makes the holiday cooking experience more fun and collaborative.

9. Practice “Mise en Place”

• Why It Matters: “Mise en place” is a French term that means “everything in its place.” This practice involves having all your ingredients measured, chopped, and ready to go before you start cooking. It keeps you organized and helps the cooking process go smoothly.

10. Enjoy the Process

• Why It Matters: The holidays are about spending time with loved ones and enjoying good food. Don’t let the stress of cooking overshadow the joy of the season. Play some music, pour yourself a festive drink, and savor the experience of creating a meal for those you care about.