A Holiday Game Plan: SCALED DOWN, SPECIAL and STRESS FREE

The pandemic may have put big family gatherings and potlucks on ice, but holiday meals can still feel special (even if it’s your first time tackling one on your own!). Cookbook author Claire Tansey answers all your questions about how to make a definitely-different-but-still totally-memorable holiday feast.

- Claire Tansey

First things first. Should I even bother to make a special meal?

Yes. Now, more than ever, we need to celebrate annual rituals. Even if we can’t be together, especially if can’t be together, we need to mark the passing of this bizarre year. After all, familiar holiday favourites are the epitome of comfort food, and if there ever was a year when we needed comfort, it’s 2020. But that doesn’t mean you need to worry about starting today or buying antacids in bulk — a holiday meal can still feel special without causing stress.

How do I begin?

Talk to your immediate family and see this as your chance to make the holiday meal you want. Hate turkey? Always wanted to try an elaborate vegetarian pie, an Italian seven-fish feast or a big brunch instead of an evening meal? This is your year!

Consider which meals say “holiday” to you. I have so many that I plan to stretch them out over a few days. I need to have my mom’s tourtière, roast beef with all the trimmings and plum pudding. Which dishes will make it feel like the holidays for you? Don’t forget to think about your leftover wishes. (A ham or turkey, which a crowd will pick to the bone, may feed you for a week this year. Fish, on the other hand, is more of a one-shot deal.)

Once you’ve settled on a rough menu, fill in the margins. Write down all the snacks, side dishes, sauces and desserts you want to round out the meal. This planning will pay off in the stress department. Looking for guidance on how to make those sides or desserts for the first time? Lean on trusted resources that include recipe reviews or cookbook authors whose recipes are tested.