Our family never manages to eat the Christmas pudding on Christmas Day. What tends to happen is that it’s covered well and put back into the fridge. In the evenings that follow, it is taken out, a slice at a time, and warmed a little, to enjoy with a cup of tea after dinner. Pudding keeps for a long time, as does my brandy butter - that is, if you don’t eat it by the spoonful each time you pass the fridge like I do, butter fiend that I am. It wold be much better for me if I didn't make the brandy butter at all, but then it wouldn’t be Christmas! What sits on your dessert list for Christmas Day? Read the rest...
When it comes to Christmas, I must admit a streak of extravagance - if I am tempted by something special, I’ll justify it by saying, ‘but it’s Christmas…’ The house will be overflowing with flowers, the cellar will be raided for special wines and I may even order yabbies from Western Australia if there’s not enough water in our own dam for Colin to catch some. What extra special addition do you seek out just for Christmas? Read the rest...
I have never lost the excitement of Christmas day and all it entails. From my earliest childhood memories, this has nothing to do with extravagant gifts, but rather it’s about sharing the day, and the pleasures of a bountiful table, with family. Each year when our children were young, to the advent of our grandchildren, our delight has always come from the children. I have photos from over the years of the same scene in our front room. The pine tree takes centre stage, with its Christmas-y scent pervading, adorned with ornaments of varying levels of sophistication, depending on which grandchild has helped Colin to decorate the tree. One constant is the silver cardboard and tinsel star at the very top, made by Saskia and Elli when they were little. There is no such thing as less is more when it comes to the tree! What sentimental favourites always land on your Christmas tree, year after year? Read the rest...
Whilst I approach the Christmas season with much excitement, there is still a tinge of panic about how much needs to be done. Despite the huge amount of organisation involved, the one aspect of the season that is never anything other than a true joy for me, is thinking about the food for Christmas and the holidays that follow. I have the advantage of tradition behind me, so some things just fall into place, yet there is always leeway to try something new, as there are many more events to think of than just Christmas Day. Are you adding any new recipes to your traditional Christmas line up? Read the rest...
I do love a good party, which for me means putting on beautiful food without getting into a terrible bind about it. I certainly don’t consider it cheating to buy a dish if you need to, as long as the quality is there. I would absolutely recommend you take up the offers of help from anyone who loves to cook, as long as they’re not offended when you designate a specific dish so that the whole menu fits together. I also try very hard to do as much work as I can in advance, and to make sure I have some vegetarian and gluten free dishes in the mix, so no one misses out. And I often bribe a grandchild to help on the day too! What are your tips to ensure a stress free Christmas Day? Read the rest...
