Christmas

The recipes that follow are ideas for meals leading up to the big day - the very elaborate and wonderful accompaniments to a traditional Christmas Turkey - the secret here is to prepare as much as possible well in advance.  Things can be frozen, or stored, stuffings etc, can be made a day or two in advance or even frozen.

I have chosen particular recipes that we have cooked every year for the past forty plus years, which the family absolutely adore and I am apparently not allowed to stray from our traditional feast!

I have started with a traditional Wassail, which Wassail—or mulled cider—is a delicious fall and winter tradition that’s especially made around Christmastime in a number of European countries. Roughly translated from Old English or Old Norse, the word means “be hale,” or be hearty and healthy—a well-wishing sentiment that was spread when townsfolk would go wassailing during the apple harvest. Wassailing principally consisted of two acts: going door to door and singing, which became the tradition of caroling, or going to orchards to sing to the trees, in the hopes that it would help them produce better apples. It’s unclear if the latter tactic ever resulted in a better crop, but after you make wassail at home, you’ll understand why singing to the trees seemed like a good idea.

While wassail contains apple cider, it has a lot more depth of flavor than any variety you could buy in a jug at the store. And it has the distinct advantage of using up any aging fruit you have in the house, as well as making your home smell like Christmas morning. There’s really no downside to this warm beverage, except perhaps that you have to wait for the spices to mull in the drink before you can dip out the first cup.

Hot Mulled Wine is also another traditional favourite.   There is something so comforting about these warm spicy drinks which go down well at any time during the cold Winter months.

Smoked Salmon, Fennel, Spring Onion, Cherry Tomato and Herbed Mascarpone Tart

This is sensational to eat both hot and cold!

Could be a starter or a Christmas Eve supper

Jamie Oliver's Roast Turkey with Clementine and Cranberry Flavoured Butter Stuffing served with Gravy

We have tried several ways of cooking the turkey and Jamie Oliver's recipe is by far and away the best resulting in very moist meat with a fabulous flavour

Cranberry Sauce

Quick and easy to make with an orange and Port

Bacon wrapped Cocktail Sausages, Prunes and Apricots

These are so delicious, lightly roasted and wonderful to eat as cold snacks as well!

Bread and Onion Sauce

This is a traditional accompaniment to Roast Turkey and is traditionally flavoured lightly with cloves.



Roast Potatoes cooked with Goose Fat

Flavoured with seasoning, Paprika and Rosemary, the taste and crispiness from the Goose Fat is so delicious!



Festive Brussel Sprouts with Bacon, Chestnuts, Baby Shallots and Toasted Flaked Almonds

Quick and easy to prepare and helps to make Brussels Sprouts taste really great

BOXING DAY

Hot Glazed Gammon with Brown Sugar and Mustard

plus accompaniments of

Reblochon Potatoes

Spiced Red Cabbage

A wonderful meal to serve for friends and family over the Christmas holiday.   Well worth the time and effort for preparation.

Granny's Christmas Pudding

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Brandy Butter

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Mince Pies

Full of fresh fruit and lashings of brandy

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Christmas Cake

This one has fresh grated carrot and ground almonds to give that extra moistness, plus both Sherry and Brandy to give the fruit an extra kick!

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Left Over Turkey and Leek Pie

This is totally scrumptious and tastes even better when only slightly warm

Left Over Turkey Soup

Packed with stuffings, some extravagant gravy, fresh vegetables - the aroma and taste are quite wonderful