Christmas dishes that are better to prep ahead

As a self-professed gravy enthusiast, Paterson can make it weeks ahead even. Save stock from chicken or vegetables, make the gravy, then freeze it, she says. (Tip: A spoon of Vegemite deepens colour.) For something different, she suggests an old-fashioned Cumberland sauce — made up to a week ahead with citrus zest, redcurrant jelly, port, mustard powder and ginger.