Christmas timetable

CHRISTMAS EVE

Allow yourself two hours during the day, so you’re not rushing. 3PM Make the stuffing. 3.10PM

Take the legs off the turkey, bone them, fill them with stuffing and poach. 3.30PM

While the legs are poaching for an hour minimum, peel and chop your choice of veg, coat them in oil, herbs and spices and a pinch of sugar. Heat on a ring for five minutes then in the oven for 15 minutes at 200C then keep covered until the next day. 3.45PM

Prepare yourturkey stock for the gravy. 4PM

Cook your sprouts. Cover them in cling film and leave to infuse. They will cook on their own for longer this way. 4.10PM

Make the cranberry sauce.

4.30PM

Remove turkey legs from the hob. Once cooled, put the legs still in the water in the fridge, or cover with cling film and leave outside in the cold, as long as they are safe from foxes.

CHRISTMAS DAY

For lunch just after 2pm, depending on the size of the turkey… 9AM

Take out your poached turkey legs, remove the cling film and leave to drain on a rack or a cloth. 11AM

Take turkey crown out of the fridge and leave to sit for two hours before cooking. 1PM

Cook your turkey to eat at 2pm. Most turkeys without legs will cook in this time, but cook for longer if it is more than 1.5kg. Read the guidance on the packaging. 1.45PM

Add the stuffed leg to the oven with the turkey. Lay the half-cooked veg around the crown for final cooking for 20 minutes. 2PM

Heat up the bowl of cling filmed sprouts in the microwave for ten seconds minimum.