Christmas Dishes You Can Bake at the Same Time

Read in EnglishNow that we are in December, you can feel the Christmas spirit in all its glory, as homes and streets begin to fill with decorations related to this time of year that many of us eagerly await. Gatherings with family and friends are not long in coming, and with them comes the need to plan the famous Christmas dinner. We know that, although these are joyful moments with your loved ones, the Christmas dinner can turn into a truly stressful situation due to the amount of preparation it involves. That’s why at kiwilimón, we want to help you make preparing your Christmas dinner easier by giving you time-saving tips, and today we will focus on dishes that you can bake at the same time in a single oven.How to bake two dishes in a single oven at the same time?The dream of many people is to have an ultra-equipped kitchen with two ovens like those commonly seen in series, movies, and cooking shows. However, the reality for most households is to have only one oven. While having only one oven can be a bit inconvenient, it is possible to turn this situation around and maximize the use of this appliance to prepare a spectacular Christmas dinner with all the dishes you can think of. The key lies in planning, knowing how to use the space, and playing with temperatures and cooking times. The first thing is that, before preparing your food, measure the space available in your oven well to know how many containers or trays can fit at the same time. Experts recommend leaving at least 5 centimeters of space between containers and all walls of the oven to ensure that cooking occurs properly. Also, never stack one dish directly on top of another; use the racks to take advantage of the oven's height.The next thing is to consider the different temperatures at which you will bake the food. Ideally, you should bake together the dishes that require the same cooking temperature, as noted by Epicurious. This way, you can bake by groups: those at 170° C, those at 180° C, those at 200° C, etc.You can also read: Christmas dishes in the microwaveIf you want to bake two dishes that require different temperatures, you can heat the oven to the average temperature between both: if one requires 180 °C and the other 200 °C, heat the oven to 190 °C. The key here is to adjust the cooking times for each dish, less time for the one that goes in at a higher temperature and more for the one that goes in at a lower temperature. As noted by She Knows, cooking times can vary by about 15% compared to the original recipe. In this case, a thermometer will be your best ally to confirm that your dishes are well cooked. Additionally, it is advisable to cover the dish that goes in at the higher temperature with aluminum foil to prevent it from burning.Finally, it’s time to choose which dishes pair best to bake together. In theory, following the above tips, you could bake a cake and a turkey at the same time, but you risk mixing flavors. To avoid unexpected flavor combinations, it is best to bake sweet dishes with other sweet dishes, and savory dishes with savory ones. However, if one of the dishes has a very strong-smelling ingredient, it is best to bake it on its own. Dishes you can bake at the same timeNow that you know everything necessary about how to bake two dishes at the same time, we can move on to the planning of your Christmas dinner. Below, we provide some examples of Christmas dishes that you can bake at the same time in a single oven. Side DishesNo special dinner is complete without side dishes, and certainly not the Christmas dinner, as it is the perfect occasion to share dishes prepared with love for your loved ones. How about adding some irresistible hasselback potatoes to your Christmas menu? The hasselback potatoes are crispy oven-baked potatoes filled with salami and are perfect as a side dish or appetizer. They will pair perfectly with your Christmas dinner. You can see the full recipe here.If you prefer a vegetable-based side dish, then you can add a delicious zucchini gratin Mexican style that has an unparalleled combination of vegetables, melted cheese, and tomato puree, making it the ideal accompaniment for meats, chicken, or fish. Find the full recipe here.Another perfect option for the Christmas dinner is some creamy mushroom vol-au-vents. Whether you serve them as a snack or canapé, this dish with puff pastry and cream cheese will be a hit among your guests. We share the full recipe here.Main DishesUndoubtedly, main dishes are the stars of the night in any Christmas dinner. So they must be part of your menu. We share some delicious ideas that we are sure your loved ones will enjoy. A delicious option is to prepare a pork ham with apricot and mustard glaze. Easy to prepare and full of flavor, this Christmas main dish will win over your guests' palates from the first bite. Find the full recipe here.Turkey is a classic dish of Christmas dinner, and this red wine turkey is simply irresistible. Moreover, it is an elegant and exquisite dish with which you can showcase your culinary skills. You can view the full recipe here.Another perfect alternative for your Christmas dinner is to prepare a meat roll in puff pastry, which is an economical version of the famous Wellington steak, a traditional English recipe full of elegance and flavor. We share the full recipe here.DessertsClose your Christmas dinner with a bang with one of the baked desserts we recommend below. We assure you that all your guests will love them. For that sweet craving, you can prepare a traditional chocolate yule log that is perfect for the December season. Its delicious creamy filling and chocolate coating make it an irresistible dessert. Find the full recipe here.If you are looking for a pie for your Christmas dinner, your best option is a classic pecan pie, as its filling of toasted nuts and spiced flavor makes it ideal for the holidays. We share the full recipe here.If you are looking for an original dessert to surprise your guests at your Christmas dinner, a rompope bomb is the best option. This is a very flashy and easy-to-prepare dessert that also has a crunchy touch of caramelized nuts. You can see the full recipe here.With the tips we shared earlier, you can prepare any of these side dishes, main dishes, and desserts at the same time in the same oven. Just remember to measure the space in your oven well, choose the right temperature for each combination, adjust the cooking times as necessary, and plan which foods can be baked together so that the flavors do not mix.You can also read: Christmas Dinner. Tips and tricks to save time in the kitchenAt kiwilimón, you can find the best tips and recipes to make your Christmas dinner a success and to create special moments sharing delicious dishes with your loved ones.