Michelin chef Tom Aikens shared some culinary tips for making our Christmas dinner extraordinary!  Here are 5 tips to help us make sure that we do this!

Tip 1: Get the best possible produce that you can.  If you go Organic, "it will make your dish taste better."  

Your Epicurista adds: Fresher the better...if you can buy local all the better.  Try to make it out to your local farmers market if possible for your produce!

Tip 2: It is all about timing.  Prep the day before.  He says, "leave the turkey out of the fridge overnight to give the meat a chance to relax and come to room temperature.  This cuts the cooking time and keeps the meat moist".

Your Epicurista adds: Make Lists, check them twice..and be prepared for grocery shopping.  Get organized at home depending on when you are cooking.

TIP 3: Make your own homemade cranberry sauce.  He says it is easy, "all you need is fresh or frozen cranberries, mixed spice, orange juice and sugar.  It also keeps for a couple months in the fridge."

Tip 4:  Wash the whole meal down with a red wine.  A Pinot Noir is great for the occasion.  Of course, if you like a white you could go for something fruity or light like a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. 

Your Epicurista adds: Gotta have some wine!

Tip 5:  Start with a starter!  Great ways to kick off meals according to Tom Aikens is with something "naughty" like a roast foie gras or a small risotto.  Fish is also a good starter, either smoked salmon, scallops or lobster."

Make your Christmas a Five-Star Experience!