Be prepared for Christmas Day with these make-ahead dishes

Christmas is such a busy time that it can be easy to forget — it’s supposed to be fun!

The best way to relieve some pressure is to think carefully when planning your menu. Choose at least a handful of dishes that can be made ahead of time, so that all you have to do on the big day is bake or reheat them. Side dishes and desserts lend themselves especially well to this approach, leaving you free to focus on the main attractions.

Sides

Dauphinoise potatoes or vegetable gratins like cauliflower cheese can easily be made ahead of time. Simply bake your gratin in a Pyrex® Irresistible Glass Square Roaster, then allow to cool thoroughly and transfer to the fridge to store for up to three days. Cover with foil to reheat in the oven for 30-35 minutes or until piping hot throughout.

Mashed potatoes are a fantastic crowd-pleaser, but they can be a real pain to make at the last minute. We recommend making your mash ahead of time with a splash more cream or milk than usual, then transferring to a Pyrex® Essentials Oval Roaster. Store in the fridge for up to three days, removing around 30 minutes before baking. Brush the top lightly with butter and bake for 30 minutes or until the mash is hot throughout and the top is golden and lightly crisp.

Stuffing is another superb make-ahead option. Try this recipe for gluten-free stuffing that everyone can enjoy. Our tip? Cook the stuffing balls on the Pyrex® Magic Baking Tray, then allow to cool. Freeze them on the tray in a single layer so that they don’t stick together, then transfer to a bag or tub once frozen. On Christmas Day, pop the stuffing balls back onto the Pyrex® Magic Baking Tray and bake straight from frozen.

Braised cabbage is perfect for prepping ahead, and can be reheated without taking up precious oven space. Once cooked, store the cabbage in the fridge in a Pyrex® Classic mixing bowl. When you’re ready to serve, simply heat it through in the microwave.

Roasted root vegetables such as carrots and parsnips can be par-boiled on Christmas morning to cut down on cooking time later. Transfer to a Pyrex® Classic Glass Rectangular Roaster, allow to cool and store in the fridge. While your turkey is resting, drizzle the veg with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and any herbs you like. Right before dishing up, pop the roaster straight into a hot oven for 20-25 minutes until the vegetables are golden brown around the edges.

Desserts

Cakes are ideal for making ahead of time, with many of the traditional Christmas bakes improving over time. Streamline the baking, storing and serving process by using the high resistance Pyrex® Bake & Enjoy Glass Cake dish for all three steps — you can even slice your cake in the dish without doing any damage!

Trifle is a Christmas classic and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The high sides and attractive shape of the Pyrex® Bake & Enjoy Glass Soufflé dish make it ideal for showing off those flawless layers to perfection. Build your trifle (or switch it up with a delicious tiramisu) two days ahead of time and store in the fridge until you’re ready to serve — nothing could be simpler.

Pies and flans will keep for 2-3 days before serving, and can be baked, stored and served in the Pyrex® Bake & Enjoy Glass Fluted flan dish.

The Pyrex® Bake & Enjoy Glass Loaf dish is the ideal choice for an ice cream cake, parfait or semifreddo — each of which can be made up to one month in advance and safely stored in the freezer.

Whatever’s on the menu this Christmas, check ahead of time to be sure you have everything you need. Stock up on #YourPerfectPyrex® at Woodies, Dunnes Stores or Homestore & More. For more information, visit www.pyrex.co.uk/pages/perfect-pyrex or follow Pyrex® on Facebook or Instagram.

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