How to Calculate How Much Food to Cook for Christmas

Every day we are getting closer to Christmas, and we must prepare in advance for all the arrangements to make that day special and stress-free.One of the things that can cause us the most tension is the Christmas dinner, as there are many aspects to consider: the dishes, the decoration, and above all, the quantities of everything that will be consumed.To lighten your load a bit, here are some tips for calculating how much food to cook for Christmas.The first thing you need to do is make a guest list, in order to calculate both the space and the food and drinks. We recommend that when you make the list, you count how many adults and children will attend, as children usually require smaller portions.AppetizersConsider serving some snacks before dinner; you can put out some raw vegetables, cheeses, or cold cuts. To calculate quantities, consider approximately 6 snacks per person, and about 45 to 60 grams of dip, cheese, and cold cuts, along with 2 or 3 slices of bread or vegetables.Christmas AppetizersSoups or BrothsAlthough it's not very typical, you might want to serve a soup or broth, and the correct serving size is a maximum of 250 ml (one cup) per person.SaladOne head of lettuce is enough for 4 people if you're making a typical green salad. As toppings, you can add tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, or peaches, and you should consider approximately 40 grams of each ingredient. If you want to include some seeds or nuts, that's 20 grams and approximately two tablespoons of dressing.For the apple salad or carrot salad with nuts, calculate between 80 and 100 grams per person.Side DishesFor carbohydrates like rice, mashed potatoes, or baby potatoes, consider approximately 100 grams per person. PastaIf you're planning for pasta as a side dish, you should consider between 50 and 60 grams per person, and if you're serving it as a main dish, between 100 to 150 grams per person.Main CourseA very typical dish for Christmas dinner is turkey, so calculate between 500 and 600 grams per person, as this type of protein has a lot of bones. In the case of boneless meat, such as turkey breast or pork leg, aim for between 200 to 250 grams per person.We recommend calculating a bit more gravy and stuffing for the turkey or leg so that it doesn't dry out and there's enough for leftovers. For the gravy, ½ cup per person is an appropriate amount; for the stuffing, ¾ cup per person is a good quantity.For the romeritos, calculate 100 to 150 grams of raw per person, as you will add mole, shrimp, and nopales.If you're preparing cod, buy approximately 150 to 200 grams per guest.DessertsTo calculate desserts, keep in mind that a 30 cm diameter cake serves 4 to 8 people.Christmas DessertsBeveragesFor sodas, calculate half a liter per guest. For wine, remember that one bottle serves 6 normal glasses, while a bottle of champagne or cider serves more, about 6 to 10 glasses. If you're offering coffee and tea, consider at least one cup per person.With these calculations, you can enjoy a delicious dinner in the company of your loved ones.