Strictly Come Dancing star Ainsley Harriott gives his top tips for the perfect family Christmas – from cooking the turkey to sneaking out for a pint

AINSLEY Harriott has revealed his cooking secrets to The Sun Online so everyone is as prepared as possible for the big day.

The is returning to on Christmas day and will become Karen Clifton's partner in crime for a one-off, Home Alone inspired performance to Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.

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But before he dusts off his dancing shoes, Ainsley Harriott has revealed exclusively to us how he keeps on top of everything across the festive period from cooking to presents (with still enough time to sneak out for a cheeky pint down the pub)

Here are the top tips he recommends to make sure everything runs smoothly…

Be careful not to overcook the turkey

“A lot of people are like ‘oh we’re not having turkey!,’ explained Ainsley. “But it’s got less fat than chicken, it’s a fantastic product and I think that people get a bit disillusioned by turkey sometimes because they think ‘oh it’s a bit dry’.

He added: “Everyone just cooks it and cooks it and cooks it and cooks it and it’s a bigger bird you normally have with a chicken, so you cook it to death and it’s dry.”

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“We talk on average 2-3-4 hours, depending on the size of the bird. Once you take it out and let it rest then you end up with some wonderful turkey meat.

He added: "If you want to get one of those that are soaked in brine and you cook it, it stays wonderfully moist – don’t be frightened of that. Have a look out for them. I think that’s where it falls down.”

Do the veggies now so you don’t have to on the day

When it comes to the all-important veggies, Ainsley recommends that preparing ahead of time is the key to getting everything timed right on the actual day, and added: “Get it done now and put it aside if you’ve got a freezer. Get certain things done and put them aside.

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“Buy things online, good food mags that have a little Christmas edition online and will tell you how to get it done days in advance just to help you.”

He added: “It doesn’t half make a difference and it gives you that lovely food and the time. To me, just enjoying it enjoying family, enjoying friends, people are popping in all the time. I love that. I love the idea of that.”

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Always be prepared and remember the emergency presents!

The Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook chef revealed: “I’ve got five or six emergency presents that haven’t got names written on it that just wraps nicely so we can go ‘oh here we are!’  - just some socks or some nice smellies or something like that.”

Unwind with a pint at the pub

Despite his career as a chef, Ainsley is making sure he gets some time away from the kitchen this year – and will pop down the local pub for a glass of mulled wine to see the day in with friends.

He explained: “I think sometimes, in family houses we get a little ‘one two one two – are you still in your pajamas?’ but if we all pop out down the pub for half an hour for a quickie, come back and have it all done.”

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Remember the true meaning of Christmas

If cooking isn’t quite your thing, then order a take-out, and remember that spending time with your family is the most important bit about the Christmas period.

He said: “I think that it’s pretty tough for a lot of people, if you think of all the stuff that’s associated [with Christmas]. I say time and time again – yes, cooking is wonderful to cook for your loved ones and see them eat the food but the most important thing is getting them all sat around the table together. And if you can get everyone sitting around the table together and you can afford it then have that Christmas dinner delivered and so you can spend that quality time.

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“We’re a bit time poor these days, so we can do that. Why not? Get everyone around the table with your turkey and your stuffing and your roast and your brussels and your carrots and whatever…your pudding at the end. Or you can make your own pudding.

"You can make an effort to do those things yourself, or do your starter yourself. I think it’s lovely. If you can do it brilliant. Why not?”

Catch Ainsley on the Strictly Come Dancing Special, Christmas Day on BBC1. 

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