Sheila's Blog: Christmas is coming COMFORT AND JOY

Festive food is a family affair so I hope the following dishes will be handed down through the generations for Emmie and Chloe's children to enjoy.

Cranberry and Orange Chutney

300 ml malt vinegar
900g fresh cranberries
225g sultanas
450g caster sugar
Orange rind and juice of two large oranges
cinnamon stick

Method

Place all ingredients in a large saucepan, bring to boil and simmer gently, uncovered for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chutney is a thick pulpy consistency. Spoon into warm sterlised jars, seal and store in a cool dark place. Can be used immediately.

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We normally start on the champagne at about 11 a.m., and then the cooking begins. I always post on the kitchen wall a set of strict instructions giving a detailed breakdown of what to do when - particularly helpful when I have been on the fizz all morning. Timers are a must and, for the next few hours, the house is full of the sound of alarms ringing and the ensuing confusion as tipsy adults can't remember what each alarm is for and I have lost track of where we are on the list.

Christmas lunch 2011

Spiced-up houmous
Roasted Scallops in Pancetta with Saffron Mayonnaise
Thai fishcakes with sweet chilli dipping sauce
Slow-cooked belly of pork

Roast turkey with lemon and garlic
Xmas gravy
Classic roasted postatoes
Traditional bread sauce
Lemon and herb stuffing
Sage, leek and onion balls
Cranberry and orange sauce
Carrots
Red cabbage with beetroot
Sprouts with mustard
Leek and peas in lemon butter

Double choc Baileys tiramisu
Cape brandy tart with brandy ice cream

Mince pies with brandy butter
Xmas cake

Timetable:-

Xmas Eve

Pick up turkey and dress ready for oven
Parboil potatoes for 10 mins and dress in olive oil ready for oven tomorrow
Prepare leeks and put in plastic bag
Quarter bottom of sprouts and put in plastic bag
Peel carrots and put in plastic bag
Do Houmous
Set table
Champagne and wine in fridge
Frozen stuff out of freezer

Xmas Day to eat at 2 p.m.

09.25   Turkey (6 kg) into oven, pre-heated to 200 fan
10.15   Lower heat to 150 fan
12.25   Heat Pork belly
12.35   Heat fish cakes
12.50   Heat Scallops plus BBQ sauce added to pork belly
13.00   Serve starters
13.15   Foil off turkey, heat turned up to 180 fan
13.45   Potatoes in
14.00   Put sage,leek and onion balls on non-stick foil, cover with foil and bake for 10 mins 180 fan
            Cover lemon and herb stuffing with foil and cook for 20 mins 180 fan
            Turkey cooked. Uncover sage balls and cook for 20 mins
14.10   Uncover lemon stuffing and cook for 20 mins
            Do gravy
            Microwave carrots 5 mins
            Microwave red cabbage 5 mins
            Warm bread sauce and add 2 tbs cream and 2 oz butter
             Cook peas and add to leeks, heat.
            Sprouts in boiling water for 10 mins then add 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
            Carve
14.30   Serve
            Cape Brandy Tart in oven - turned off
            Extra brandy in jug.

Must share this with you. In February, 2003 the "perfect family" (Phil, Alun and Caroline and myself) went on holiday to Tobago and met Arthur Smith. He nicknamed us the perfect family and wrote this wonderful poem for us after spending time with us. Every word is true. I did drop the turkey!!!!!!!!

Christmas be honest was a bit of a bore
The Turkey lay prone on the kitchen floor
Too many JDs, and Alun shouts
Too much water in the brussel sprouts.
Oh stuff all that they rise and go
Across the Atlantic to Tobago.
Caroline and Sheila anticipate heaven
Phil tells Alun about the 747
And soon they're here and sunny skies
Dissolve their cares and brighten their eyes.
Moistening sands and dreamy palms
Enfold the family in sensual arms.
Perfect harmony? Of course there's not
Phil gets mad if the food's not hot.
Sheila worries the scales aren't right
She's put on a stone in the course of the night.
But little things lead to larger pleasures
They all got a lecture on weights and measures.
And while we're on the subject Caroline dear
When are you going to get a career?

There is no talking inside the sea
Yes they all are together but free
Drifting on currents at the dead of the day.
Alun can you please get out of my way?

The family are divers and fliers as well
They zoom up above and swim on the swell
There's nothing much disturbs the peace
And bold tranquillity of the family Rees
As they say goodbye one last thought in the air
What on earth does Bumbagman carry in there?

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