So, what's it to be this year ? Are the Brexiteers going to miss out on the Brussels sprouts this year ? Or maybe les Haricots instead ? For those of us abroad - is it to be an English Christmas or a local one ? Am I the only cook on here ? Or are there others - in which case is it the traditional (English) turkey and the rest, or is it something different ? The German Christmas is mainly on the evening of the 24th (duck in orange sauce again for us) though many Germans eat strange things like carp then. We have someone coming on the 25th with weak kidneys and so I have to improvise a bit this year - with Paella on the 25th and 26th (minus the peas which he can't eat ). I hope that the brexiteers have planned a truly English meal (without the turkey (American) not to mention the spuds and beans (also from over the pond) - of course French and Italian wines are out of the question - but never mind - turnips stewed in cider is left.
Can I ask why this had not been edited by a moderator like my nest post was? Personally I find this funny like my post was supposed to be.
Just in the wrong place Scully. I took one line out, that had brought a response that was totally out of order. I could see the humour in what you were saying, but it just brought about the wrong reaction. If there had been none I would have let it stand.
Are you referring to my reaction Frenchie - which was similarly light hearted. My later reaction was to a post by SH.
Roast beef with all the trimmings for me, brisket in the slow cooker, home made Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, peas, carrots and thick gravy. Hope I stay awake long enough to to cook and eat it, this radiotherapy makes me very tired.
Can I cook? Well yes I can. My Sunday roasts in England were the highlight of the week if I might say so. Maybe that is not fair on Mme who has certificates to say that she was good enough to teach others how to do it properly. Since we moved to France my expertise has been on hold since we bought a shiny new oven that I am not allowed to use, and certainly don't understand some of it's finer points. We will be having Christmas dinner at my daughter's house, and will be having locally produced lamb. This has to be reserved for special occasions as it is very expensive. For many French people Christmas will start about 10.00pm on Christmas Eve with a major feast that will go on into the early hours. This does create a bit of a problem for those who wish to go to midnight mass first, as the eating and drinking doesn't start until later. It also plays havoc with the time schedule for Father Christmas. As there is no Boxing Day as such in France, our next opportunity to overeat comes on my birthday at the weekend, when the family will come to us. Gammon and Turkey, all so local that I expect to know the name of the poor bird. I have really gone to town and bought in some chateau produced wines, all chosen to go with the individual courses in mind. Although the French regard Christmas as a chance to get the taste buds into shape, they are really saving themselves for the major feast on New Years Eve. A dozen courses on some of the menus I have seen, followed by dancing. Doubt I would move after all that eating.
I normally do Christmas dinner, which in recent years has been pork fillets stuffed with port soaked prunes and leeks, and more vegetables tha you can shake a Mr McGregor at. I did all the trimmings followed by trifle (it is summer!) because Mrs NZ's dad liked it. Sadly, he died in September. This year we are going to my brother-in-law's and apparently we are having ham. I am on trifle duty but I've also done a frozen Christmas pudding, which is made from home-made ice cream and various dried fruit that go in a normal Christmas pudding.
Three bird roast for us this year (turkey, duck and pheasant) with all the trimmings - we will have 14 people at our table...better start peeling the spuds.
I love Brussels (no need to edit, ofh - I’m [mainly ] referring to the sprouts), but preparing them is a proper arseache.
We will walk up to elder daughers for a family lunch ( 12 adults +4 screamers). Elder daughter has planned it like a military operation....... My job is wines ( oh so hard) ...and cheeses including two ayrshire cheeses and three baked camembert.... Starting with ayshire smoked salmon marinated in sherry..... so goood.. Then Turkey and/or a family recipe nut roast ( thanks mum) made with chestnuts, a layer of goats cheese and cranberries All the Veg trimmings... and we all love Brussels. Then cheeses Then Xmas pudding etc I failed to make the mince pies this time so one item less to eat! Then Mme and I will walk home in the dark with Mlle if she is able Boxing day morning Mlle does the big fry up breakfast chez nous with boyfriend ...and then we take boyfriend to Bramall Lane for his first Watford game COYH!
I was wondering how Brussels Sprouts got their name so I checked Wiki Although native to the Mediterranean region with other cabbage species, Brussels sprouts first appeared in northern Europe during the fifth century, later being cultivated in the 13th century near Brussels, from which they derived their name. Every year Wiki asks for a small donation - as little as £2 - so I stump up a tenner for something that is free and without advertising, a bargain in my book. Apparently only 2% of users do this! So if you feel inclined please do so, it would be a shame if it folded.
As I said it's just the 2 of us. We were a bit slow in ordering from Marks so fish eating veggie Mme did not get her mega Salmon en Croute (or my turkey, although were on sale separately fortunately). So I am having turkey, first time for many years and Mme is have a mini Salmon en C although she made an excellent one earlier this year it was too much faff for Christmas. All the trimmings especially lots of roast potatoes (in reality lots of roasties would be just fine, forget all the other stuff). Brussels will be present, either roasted or stir fried! Mme made 2 Christmas puddings, 2 cakes, Mincepies and trifle to be made tomorrow. Oh and there those chocolate pine cones with M&S sell at Christmas, very piggy. I have a wild boar pork pie to accompany pickles and salad in the evening. There is lots of other stuff that I have not discovered yet......... One year we were making a trifle on Christmas morning after having indulged a bit too much in the morning and we managed to drop the bowl we were making it in on the floor which smashed. We rescued it, removed the glass and we are still here to tell the tale! We have just raided our wine cupboard to ensure we have the right accompaniments for each indulgence. We share most of the cooking, I enjoy cooking but never get round to doing as much as I would like in terms of producing something different or special. Enjoy whatever you are having.
I cooked Christmas dinner for the second time ever: the first time was eight years ago when Mrs Fez was, again, not in tip top form. Just us and a makeshift kitchen that time. This time included the in-laws and I've never cooked for more than two before. Roast beef for one, roast ham for another, turkey for us... and all the bells and whistles. Have to say I'm very pleased with my efforts and so said everyone else! I hope everyone has had a terrific day.
The cranberry and goats cheese nut roast just like my mum used to make which goes alongside the traditional meal
Three year old Christmas pudding retrieved from the bottom of the freezer, steamed for three hours, and you have something that is fully matured and quite delicious.
