I’m so excited that school finishes a little earlier this year than it sometimes does. I get a full week at home after we break up, and I’m looking forward to a little Christmas cooking, so I thought I would share with you some of our plans.
The first Sunday of the holidays is our annual village carols. We all take a plate of food to share before we begin the carols and the spread is always superior (lots of fabulous country cooks). I’m thinking I will make some mint meringues, but pipe them into Christmas tree shapes, and top with a few sprinkles.
In the days leading up to Christmas we try to make some special treats to have on Christmas day, and then afterwards at the beach with our family. I am thinking a batch of gingerbread biscuits will be fun. Expect cute pics of gingerbread on social media! Meg want to use her choc mint weetbix slice recipe, but instead of popping it in a tin, she is going to roll the mixture into small balls, and drizzle a little white chocolate over the top to make them look like mini Christmas puddings. She had a practice go a few weeks back and they looked super cute. I may also try to make some of my mum’s traditional chocolate log. She has made some every Christmas for as long as I can remember, and it is one of those foods that brings back my childhood.
One of our good friends has a smoker they need to try out, so we may try to smoke some meat during the week too. If it turns out well, we’ll have some smoked chicken for Christmas as well. I’m also thinking of smoking some garlic, and possibly some salmon too; the girls have requested smoked salmon for Christmas lunch.
Christmas day itself is going to be spent at home (bliss). Lunch will be some smoked salmon (maybe even our own), and ham with some salads. Hannah has suggested a potato salad, while I’m thinking a few lighter ones would be good. Dessert will be our traditional triple choc raspberry pavlova. A late afternoon cheese platter with some of the last plum paste for the year will cap off the day nicely.
Boxing Day is always a relaxing day filled with leftovers. Maggie Beer’s Christmas book suggests toasties which are often bought out, as are our Post Christmas fritters. Super easy.
We picked our sour cherries last week, so I am going to make some sour cherry preserve that goes beautifully with ham, pork, turkey and duck (OK – I eat it with any meat – delicious). Ham and cheese toasties are a just a little more special with some cherry preserve.
So are you planning some Christmas cooking? What are you serving for Christmas lunch?
A couple of years ago I brined and smoked chicken breasts and pork belly to make bacon, both were very nice especially for a first attempt. Smoked semi dried tomatoes are a nice addition to winter meals too
Oooh they all sound delicious! I hadn’t thought of the smoked semi dried tomatoes!
Is that a Muurikka smoker? I bought one last year and love it. Do it outside to save heating kitchen. The salmon is delicious although it is not the same as commercial smoked Tasmanian salmon. I find that every time I use it, it is different but even the very first time was delicious. If you search something like Muurikka recipes you will find a PDF that you can download or printout or even just get ideas from. I bought my son the big smoking pan and he uses it on both stovetop and big weber BBQ. While he does not raise his own pork, he buys and cures pork belly and makes what both he and his 10 year old son call the best bacon in the world.