Make this year’s Christmas one to remember with top preparation tips from Jamie Oliver.
Check Your Equipment
Extracted from Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Cookbook.
One of the best bits of advice I can give you to avoid big-day stress is to check your equipment a few weeks in advance, and make sure you have all the kit you need. I can’t tell you how many stories I hear about people going to cook their turkey and realising that they don’t have a tray big enough for it, or that they’ve gone the other way and bought a tray that doesn’t fit in their oven! Good, basic kitchen equipment is widely available, so it’s easy to get kitted out. Give yourself enough time to shop around and find the best prices, choosing better-quality items wherever you can – they’ll last much longer, maybe even a lifetime.
Below you’ll find a list of everything I think is helpful to ensure all your bases are covered. By no means am I suggesting it’s essential for you to buy everything listed here, but I hope it will help you do a recce of your own cupboards, and have a think about the kit that will help you out over the festive period. Happy cooking!
From the book
Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Cookbook
Jamie Oliver's classic recipes for Christmas
All the recipes you'll need, from basics and starters to party food and edible gifts
Indulgent crowd-pleasers with Jamie's signature twists
Food processor | Blender
Electric mixer | Pestle & mortar
Saucepans | Frying pans
Casserole pans | Griddle pan
Roasting trays | Baking trays
Tart tins | Cake tins
12-hole muffin tin | 12-hole cupcake tray
Baking dishes | Mixing bowl
Measuring jug | Measuring spoons
Weighing scales | Chopping boards
Chef’s knife | Paring knife
Bread knife | Carving knife
Knife sharpener | Mandolin
Speed-peeler | Box grater
Fine grater | Colander
Sieve Wooden | spoons
Slotted spoon | Ladle
Heavy-duty tongs | Meat thermometer
Potato masher | Fish slice
Garlic crusher | Pastry brush
Rolling pin | Kitchen scissors
Tea towels | Greaseproof paper
Strong tin foil | Quality clingfilm (non-PVC)
Kitchen paper | Kitchen string
For more festive tips, plus a whole load of delicious recipes to enjoy over the holiday season, get your hands on Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Cookbook.