Christmas lunch

We cook whole chickens in a tabletop oven. It will be fine

knspol, Lesley, I agree. Thanks.

I think your son deserves an apology from you for your hurtful remarks. He's doing a very kind and generous thing for you and trying to make it a special day for you both. The turkey's sell by date is fine as others have said and although you could offer to help if he needs it do not try to take over and spoil his day.

Why would you be risking food poisoning when the turkey is still in date, it would be most likely still be ok even if it was cooked and eaten on the 30th, best before dates on food are known to be advisory and on the safe side, enjoy having your lunch cooked for you

What a thoughtful lovely son you have raised, I can’t see a problem, what date are you going to eat it, if it’s before the use by date there isn’t an issue.
I think if I was your thoughtful son I would probably have been offended

It sounds like a completely irrational worry. I'm surrounded by people who suffer from anxiety in my family, and I try to be patient, but this kind of thing drives me mad! The use by date isn't arbitrary, it means that's how long the meat can be kept in the fridge!

Our son insisted on cooking our Christmas dinner last year, and it was excellent. He might surprise you with his skills!

There will be nothing wrong with this meat. He is being rational and kind, and you are being just the opposite in taking a precious approach. I'm sure there will be many people going without meat and other food this Christmas and for many weeks and months afterwards.

True, Juicylucy. I'm not a very merry person but I do appreciate my friends and relatives. Nobody likes someone who is not cheerful.

I think your a lucky mum who’s son is very thoughtful. The turkey would have sat in the shop in a fridge anyway whether he collected yesterday or Christmas Eve. Please relax your anxiety regarding getting food poising which I feel is abit extreme and enjoy being treated by your son. Merry Christmas.

I think really that you are over worrying - the turkey is in date and I’m he’ll be sensible with raw poultry.
I agree with earlier poster though - as you have no big oven why not just ask him to cook it at home and bring it cooked and wrapped in foil ready for fresh veggies at yours?
You won’t have to overeat, just make sure hectares leftovers home with him as you won’t use it.
Enjoy your son and merry Christmas.

I am picking my turkey up today and using it on Christmas day. I have always done it so far ahead and it has been fine. If the use by date is 27th I would just accept that and be grateful for his generosity.

Yehbutnobut that is the kernel of my worrying, what you said. I think I have persuaded him I was confused about Xmas day owing to my being half asleep, and that his intended gift of cooking for me is welcome.

Don't you agree I will have to say how I really appreciate and enjoy the meal he will cook? I'd much rather risk food poisoning and over--eating than have a falling-out.

I do wish he understood a little more about kitchen hygiene, as he lives alone and cooks for himself and I want more than anything for him to be safe.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I can understand your son being offended. I would have been too.
Hopefully you can repair that and enjoy the day. I agree with Yehbutnobut that you should apologise in a fairly light way and then move on and enjoy the day.

Why don't you suggest your son cooks the crown thoroughly at his place on Christmas Eve evening then pops it on his fridge overnight. Just do the trimmings on your table top. Enjoy letting your son do something for his mum. Soundslike he's got a good heart.

It does sound like you are being over anxious about this.

Please don't spoil the day for you and your son because of this.

Just a suggestion as you say that you only have a small oven and it might save time. Is it possible that your son could could the turkey following the instructions in the morning at his home. If it is covered in foil for the resting period as the chefs do then the veg could be cooked at your home when he gets there if it is prepped ready.

I'm sure it will all be fine.

Enjoy.

My mother had anxiety and OCD. She worried endlessly about germs, illness and food poisoning. She'd mop the kitchen floor several times a day, hourly if she was stressed. The worry isn't logical - emotions rarely are!

Suggest you fess up to your son by saying something like ‘I hope I didn’t upset you. I was just being a bit of a silly old woman and I really appreciate you cooking the lunch’.

Nothing like a heart felt apology and hug for clearing the air.

He’s been thoughtful and you’re being completely irrational and unreasonable. It’s going to be well within it’s sale by date (which are always very conservative) and it’s a very simple piece of meat to prepare and cook properly. What exactly are you worried about? Are you normally anxious? Please don’t ruin the day by fussing about something so unlikely and ridiculous, you’re equally likely to be abducted by aliens than get food poisoning from consuming turkey that’s cooked two days ahead of its sale by date. Honestly!

What a kind and caring son you have, I don’t understand your problem, Christmas Day is 25th, crown date is 27th, I would imagine his feelings would be hurt,

Hope you haven’t offended your son through such a careless remark.

Well I went to Sainsbury's on Friday just to see what Turkeys they had, and they had nearly all gone! Upon asking them, I was told they were not getting any others, that was all there was. So, most people had already bought theirs on the 19th, many days before they were going to be cooked. Needless to say, I bought mine too! As others have said, the turkey will be fine, its use by date is 27th, no problem at all. Absolutely nothing to worry about.

Cooked on 25th, use by 27th!????

As others have said, I really cant see a problem!

Thanks to Farmor for info about temps lethal to campylobacter and salmonella.

You are all very upbeat and I feel better.

Thanks Hetty. Good idea about opening meat packets in the empty sink. Will do it.