My wife's just out of hospital after an op' so I am on full time caring duties.
So for the first time ever I will be attempting to deliver a roast dinner with all the trimmings. My attempts to persuade her we should do something different this year, like a pizza or a curry or a can of soup were not well received...
Fortunately it's only for the three of us but there's now a ridiculously expensive and far too large piece of beef in the fridge silently goading me that I don't have a clue what I am going to do with it tomorrow. Ridiculous really that I'm intimidated by a piece of meat* but I don't want to mess it up for her!
*insert your own smut here.
Really easy. Whack the oven on as high as it goes. Let it heat up for 20 mins or so.
Beef in for 20 mins.
Oven down to 180 degrees.
Leave beef in for 15 minutes per 500g if you like it rare. 20 minutes if you like it medium. If you like it well done, go get a pizza instead.
Let it rest for 30 minutes loosely covered in foil
My wife's just out of hospital after an op' so I am on full time caring duties.
So for the first time ever I will be attempting to deliver a roast dinner with all the trimmings. My attempts to persuade her we should do something different this year, like a pizza or a curry or a can of soup were not well received...
Fortunately it's only for the three of us but there's now a ridiculously expensive and far too large piece of beef in the fridge silently goading me that I don't have a clue what I am going to do with it tomorrow. Ridiculous really that I'm intimidated by a piece of meat* but I don't want to mess it up for her!
*insert your own smut here.
Really easy. Whack the oven on as high as it goes. Let it heat up for 20 mins or so.
Beef in for 20 mins.
Oven down to 180 degrees.
Leave beef in for 15 minutes per 500g if you like it rare. 20 minutes if you like it medium. If you like it well done, go get a pizza instead.
Let it rest for 30 minutes loosely covered in foil
Are you anywhere near Bournemouth by any chance..?
We're going on the Southwark Cyclists annual cycle on Christmas Day so we'll have our dinner on Boxing Day. Which will be a Cashew, pecan, hazelnut, almond and mushroom tray bake. With roast spuds, parsnips, swede, sprouts, carrots and peas, roast onion and gravy. Possibly yorkies if I have time. Home made xmas pud with ice cream.
Would be interested in the recipe for the tray bake.
Beef wellington this year, using a big lump of 40 day aged sirloin, on which I've just spent far too much, made with Parma ham and Ardennes pate. Will come with masses of roast potatoes cooked by little miss Idle, and a variety of roasted vegetables plus sprouts.
We're going on the Southwark Cyclists annual cycle on Christmas Day so we'll have our dinner on Boxing Day. Which will be a Cashew, pecan, hazelnut, almond and mushroom tray bake. With roast spuds, parsnips, swede, sprouts, carrots and peas, roast onion and gravy. Possibly yorkies if I have time. Home made xmas pud with ice cream.
Would be interested in the recipe for the tray bake.
Cashew, pecan, hazelnut, almond and mushroom - put on a tray. Bake.
Xmas lunch at The Charles Dickens down the front in Broadstairs. Pork Platter / Mixed Seafood Salad / Turkey with trimmings / Cheese Board - i make that about 3500 calories plus Fizzy stuff to begin with followed by 4 or 5 pints of Ale.
We're going on the Southwark Cyclists annual cycle on Christmas Day so we'll have our dinner on Boxing Day. Which will be a Cashew, pecan, hazelnut, almond and mushroom tray bake. With roast spuds, parsnips, swede, sprouts, carrots and peas, roast onion and gravy. Possibly yorkies if I have time. Home made xmas pud with ice cream.
Would be interested in the recipe for the tray bake.
It's in the food supplement of Saturday's Guardian. Looked lovely so I'm giving it a go. Will post recipe when I can.
We're going on the Southwark Cyclists annual cycle on Christmas Day so we'll have our dinner on Boxing Day. Which will be a Cashew, pecan, hazelnut, almond and mushroom tray bake. With roast spuds, parsnips, swede, sprouts, carrots and peas, roast onion and gravy. Possibly yorkies if I have time. Home made xmas pud with ice cream.
Would be interested in the recipe for the tray bake.
Cashew, pecan, hazelnut, almond and mushroom - put on a tray. Bake.
Xmas lunch at The Charles Dickens down the front in Broadstairs. Pork Platter / Mixed Seafood Salad / Turkey with trimmings / Cheese Board - i make that about 3500 calories plus Fizzy stuff to begin with followed by 4 or 5 pints of Ale.
Yes, in Broadstairs itself but am not a Broadie, Eltham born/bred - retired here 7 tears ago - it seems a lot of Sarf Londoners and Bexleyheath/Welling expats have retired down here ...
Celebrated our family Christmas yesterday as it's the kids in laws' turn to have the 25th this year.
Eleven of us had dinner at The Abergavenny Arms in Frant - 15th century Coaching Inn.
The menu included 2 glasses each of Prosecco to start things rolling with soft drinks for the 5 grandkids.
We had chosen our 3 courses a week or so ago with starters of spiced pumpkin soup with mini tomato & onion bruschetta, pig & ham hock terrine with chicory, mustard & pickled plums, tuna tartare with wasabi & avocado puree, beetroot Carpaccio with pickled turnip, goats curd & candied walnuts or baked mini Camembert with toast & Christmas chutney.
Main course choices were Turkey roast with pigs in blankets, sprouts, carrots, parsnips, mange toute, stuffing, yorkies & roast potatoes ( with jugs of extra gravy for Mr F who likes his soggy...) , ribeye steak with confit tomatoes, portobello mushrooms & chunky fries, goose breast with goose sausage roll plus kale, celeriac& cranberry compote, salmon fillet with saffron & dill risotto, watercress & cherry tomatoes or vegan wild mushroom with chestnut & thyme pithivier (whatever that is ...no one chose it !)
Desserts were Christmas pud with brandy butter & individual mini jugs of custard, white chocolate & cranberry bread & butter pudding, clementine & gingerbread trifle with vanilla ice cream, chocolate & cinnamon Pecan pie with vanilla ice cream or selection of English cheeses with artisan crackers & Christmas chutney.
To finish there were chocolate truffles & mince pies with tea or coffee.
We were truly spoiled & I'd thoroughly recommend this hostelry. And no washing up !
To complete the picture, we each had a very nice cracker ( sadly NOT Michael Buble) and .....( drum roll)
SNOW !
As we ploughed our way through the lovely food, we could see something white drifting past the window and joked that the dishwasher wasn't plumbed in properly & that this was bubbles escaping...
But as we exited the pub 2.5 hours after we entered, the owner had installed a snow machine over the door to send flurries of the white stuff over us ! Such a nice touch and a fitting end to our Christmas dinner !
The rest of the day was spent exchanging/opening this part of the family's presents ( and hence putting together a mega sized Hot Wheels Ultimate garage & Car Wash for 3 year old Jacob) , playing Chase the Ace & Sevens , Reverse Charades & Yahtzee whilst consuming wine , beer & G & Ts plus nibbles, cheese & biscuits, mince pies, Christmas cake etc.
Needless to say, after a great family day, we're still in our pjs & dozing whilst watching TV, currently Mary Poppins whilst tomorrow's Christmas Day dinner will be ham, eggs & chips !
Celebrated our family Christmas yesterday as it's the kids in laws' turn to have the 25th this year.
Eleven of us had dinner at The Abergavenny Arms in Frant - 15th century Coaching Inn.
The menu included 2 glasses each of Prosecco to start things rolling with soft drinks for the 5 grandkids.
We had chosen our 3 courses a week or so ago with starters of spiced pumpkin soup with mini tomato & onion bruschetta, pig & ham hock terrine with chicory, mustard & pickled plums, tuna tartare with wasabi & avocado puree, beetroot Carpaccio with pickled turnip, goats curd & candied walnuts or baked mini Camembert with toast & Christmas chutney.
Main course choices were Turkey roast with pigs in blankets, sprouts, carrots, parsnips, mange toute, stuffing, yorkies & roast potatoes ( with jugs of extra gravy for Mr F who likes his soggy...) , ribeye steak with confit tomatoes, portobello mushrooms & chunky fries, goose breast with goose sausage roll plus kale, celeriac& cranberry compote, salmon fillet with saffron & dill risotto, watercress & cherry tomatoes or vegan wild mushroom with chestnut & thyme pithivier (whatever that is ...no one chose it !)
Desserts were Christmas pud with brandy butter & individual mini jugs of custard, white chocolate & cranberry bread & butter pudding, clementine & gingerbread trifle with vanilla ice cream, chocolate & cinnamon Pecan pie with vanilla ice cream or selection of English cheeses with artisan crackers & Christmas chutney.
To finish there were chocolate truffles & mince pies with tea or coffee.
We were truly spoiled & I'd thoroughly recommend this hostelry. And no washing up !
To complete the picture, we each had a very nice cracker ( sadly NOT Michael Buble) and .....( drum roll)
SNOW !
As we ploughed our way through the lovely food, we could see something white drifting past the window and joked that the dishwasher wasn't plumbed in properly & that this was bubbles escaping...
But as we exited the pub 2.5 hours after we entered, the owner had installed a snow machine over the door to send flurries of the white stuff over us ! Such a nice touch and a fitting end to our Christmas dinner !
The rest of the day was spent exchanging/opening this part of the family's presents ( and hence putting together a mega sized Hot Wheels Ultimate garage & Car Wash for 3 year old Jacob) , playing Chase the Ace & Sevens , Reverse Charades & Yahtzee whilst consuming wine , beer & G & Ts plus nibbles, cheese & biscuits, mince pies, Christmas cake etc.
Needless to say, after a great family day, we're still in our pjs & dozing whilst watching TV, currently Mary Poppins whilst tomorrow's Christmas Day dinner will be ham, eggs & chips !
What's not to like ?
You can’t beat a well stuffed fanny (sorry Jean, couldn’t resist it)
In Prague, (not Eltham), and one time of the year when I'm the main cook. Czech Christmas cooking is pretty derisory. Carp and potato salad on 24th evening. I mean, come on...
Bit this time the cooking is spread across five days
- already did the gammon for neighbour event on Friday. They scoffed nearly all of it. Delicious soup from it, though.
- classic turkey on 27th for the wife's extended family (due to niece being on doctor duty tmrw)
- so tomorrow for the wife and I, it's a classic roast beef joint for the first time in ages. Good looking and monstrous joint from Chris the English farmer/butcher. However I have never cooked Yorkshire pudding. Wife is a capable cook, generally, but any tips re the Yorkshires will be much appreciated.
- and then in the evening after walking it off, neighbours round for roast beef sandwiches and an introduction to sherry and mince pies.
Prague, I know a lot of continental Europe go in quite big for the Xmas eve. Is that not that big a deal in the Czech Republic
In Prague, (not Eltham), and one time of the year when I'm the main cook. Czech Christmas cooking is pretty derisory. Carp and potato salad on 24th evening. I mean, come on...
Bit this time the cooking is spread across five days
- already did the gammon for neighbour event on Friday. They scoffed nearly all of it. Delicious soup from it, though.
- classic turkey on 27th for the wife's extended family (due to niece being on doctor duty tmrw)
- so tomorrow for the wife and I, it's a classic roast beef joint for the first time in ages. Good looking and monstrous joint from Chris the English farmer/butcher. However I have never cooked Yorkshire pudding. Wife is a capable cook, generally, but any tips re the Yorkshires will be much appreciated.
- and then in the evening after walking it off, neighbours round for roast beef sandwiches and an introduction to sherry and mince pies.
Prague, I know a lot of continental Europe go in quite big for the Xmas eve. Is that not that big a deal in the Czech Republic
No it is a big deal here too, but that is it. Carp soup followed by carp and potato salad.
From about 21st, big blue tanks appear on the streets, it's the carp merchants with their produce, swimming live. Legend has it that in the old days, people would take the carp home live, and leave it swimming in the bath until the big evening. You've noticed a logistic issue there already..meanwhile the kids fall in love with the carp, and by 24th insist their Dad cannot kill it. So he takes it down to the river Vltava, and sets it free. Meanwhile his hapless wife has to produce the fallback, pork schnitzel. And everyone smells a bit ripe!
Sod all that. My wife isn't a fan either, but she cooks it tonight at the home of her best friend, who is a bit alone at this time of year, and then heads back in the morning for the "English" Christmas. Have to say she finds the four days of turkey this and that a bit gross too.
We're going on the Southwark Cyclists annual cycle on Christmas Day so we'll have our dinner on Boxing Day. Which will be a Cashew, pecan, hazelnut, almond and mushroom tray bake. With roast spuds, parsnips, swede, sprouts, carrots and peas, roast onion and gravy. Possibly yorkies if I have time. Home made xmas pud with ice cream.
Would be interested in the recipe for the tray bake.
South Indian chicken curry, okra in spicy tomato sauce, vegetable curry, Jamaican lamb curry.
Followed by Colston Bassett stilton and Montgomery cheddar.
Several beers will be on offer, as will pre-dinner cocktails, probably of the Champagne variety, and post-dinner aperitifs, most likely to include malt whiskey.
Duck, with cherry sauce; roast potatoes cooked in goose fat; gratin of brussels sprouts; honey-glazed, cumin-flavoured parsnips; red cabbage; stuffing - 2015 Coldstream Hills Chardonnay
Christmas pudding; brandy cream - 2017 Sam's Island Shiraz
Cheeses; chocolates; coffee - Baileys and Glenrowan Muscat
(It's the Muscat I am most looking forward to - absolutely astonishing, red dessert wine!)
@Chizz, not knocking your selection, but I'm guessing that shiraz isn't a sweet red, so this seems a strange combination with dessert. Would you care to offer your reasoning as to why this works, please?
We're going on the Southwark Cyclists annual cycle on Christmas Day so we'll have our dinner on Boxing Day. Which will be a Cashew, pecan, hazelnut, almond and mushroom tray bake. With roast spuds, parsnips, swede, sprouts, carrots and peas, roast onion and gravy. Possibly yorkies if I have time. Home made xmas pud with ice cream.
@iainment MsAA is going on that cycle ride, too. She really enjoyed the others she's done, I hope it's a great one tomorrow or you all.
Duck, with cherry sauce; roast potatoes cooked in goose fat; gratin of brussels sprouts; honey-glazed, cumin-flavoured parsnips; red cabbage; stuffing - 2015 Coldstream Hills Chardonnay
Christmas pudding; brandy cream - 2017 Sam's Island Shiraz
Cheeses; chocolates; coffee - Baileys and Glenrowan Muscat
(It's the Muscat I am most looking forward to - absolutely astonishing, red dessert wine!)
@Chizz, not knocking your selection, but I'm guessing that shiraz isn't a sweet red, so this seems a strange combination with dessert. Would you care to offer your reasoning as to why this works, please?
In Prague, (not Eltham), and one time of the year when I'm the main cook. Czech Christmas cooking is pretty derisory. Carp and potato salad on 24th evening. I mean, come on...
Bit this time the cooking is spread across five days
- already did the gammon for neighbour event on Friday. They scoffed nearly all of it. Delicious soup from it, though.
- classic turkey on 27th for the wife's extended family (due to niece being on doctor duty tmrw)
- so tomorrow for the wife and I, it's a classic roast beef joint for the first time in ages. Good looking and monstrous joint from Chris the English farmer/butcher. However I have never cooked Yorkshire pudding. Wife is a capable cook, generally, but any tips re the Yorkshires will be much appreciated.
- and then in the evening after walking it off, neighbours round for roast beef sandwiches and an introduction to sherry and mince pies.
Prague, I know a lot of continental Europe go in quite big for the Xmas eve. Is that not that big a deal in the Czech Republic
No it is a big deal here too, but that is it. Carp soup followed by carp and potato salad.
From about 21st, big blue tanks appear on the streets, it's the carp merchants with their produce, swimming live. Legend has it that in the old days, people would take the carp home live, and leave it swimming in the bath until the big evening. You've noticed a logistic issue there already..meanwhile the kids fall in love with the carp, and by 24th insist their Dad cannot kill it. So he takes it down to the river Vltava, and sets it free. Meanwhile his hapless wife has to produce the fallback, pork schnitzel. And everyone smells a bit ripe!
Sod all that. My wife isn't a fan either, but she cooks it tonight at the home of her best friend, who is a bit alone at this time of year, and then heads back in the morning for the "English" Christmas. Have to say she finds the four days of turkey this and that a bit gross too.
Glad to hear 'fish in the bathtub' doesn't just happen here.
I'll never forget one of my first weeks here, getting to work to find a British coworker sitting at his desk looking absolutely shell shocked. He got up in the morning walked into the bathroom to find his MIL had been to the market and his bath looked like yangzhou aquarium!
Turkey with potatoes, Kumara and pumpkin. Frikadeller (Danish meatballs) with rdd cabbage, caramelised potatoes and brown gravy. Pavlova and chocolate cheesecake for dessert. Saffa red blend (merlot/cab sauv), Becks, Tuborg and sparkling wine.
Turkey with potatoes, Kumara and pumpkin. Frikadeller (Danish meatballs) with rdd cabbage, caramelised potatoes and brown gravy. Pavlova and chocolate cheesecake for dessert. Saffa red blend (merlot/cab sauv), Becks, Tuborg and sparkling wine.
Comments
Beef in for 20 mins.
Oven down to 180 degrees.
Leave beef in for 15 minutes per 500g if you like it rare. 20 minutes if you like it medium. If you like it well done, go get a pizza instead.
Let it rest for 30 minutes loosely covered in foil
:-)
Roast spuds
Yorkshire puds
Sprouts, carrots and green beans
Vegetarian gravy
Champagne first thing
Red wine with the meal
Beers for the evening with quorn sausage rolls and crisps
The Queen at 3pm, and hopefully a decent film.
Will come with masses of roast potatoes cooked by little miss Idle, and a variety of roasted vegetables plus sprouts.
Pork Platter / Mixed Seafood Salad / Turkey with trimmings / Cheese Board -
i make that about 3500 calories plus Fizzy stuff to begin with followed by 4 or 5 pints of Ale.
Will post recipe when I can.
Eleven of us had dinner at The Abergavenny Arms in Frant - 15th century Coaching Inn.
The menu included 2 glasses each of Prosecco to start things rolling with soft drinks for the 5 grandkids.
We had chosen our 3 courses a week or so ago with starters of spiced pumpkin soup with mini tomato & onion bruschetta, pig & ham hock terrine with chicory, mustard & pickled plums, tuna tartare with wasabi & avocado puree, beetroot Carpaccio with pickled turnip, goats curd & candied walnuts or baked mini Camembert with toast & Christmas chutney.
Main course choices were Turkey roast with pigs in blankets, sprouts, carrots, parsnips, mange toute, stuffing, yorkies & roast potatoes ( with jugs of extra gravy for Mr F who likes his soggy...) , ribeye steak with confit tomatoes, portobello mushrooms & chunky fries, goose breast with goose sausage roll plus kale, celeriac& cranberry compote, salmon fillet with saffron & dill risotto, watercress & cherry tomatoes or vegan wild mushroom with chestnut & thyme pithivier (whatever that is ...no one chose it !)
Desserts were Christmas pud with brandy butter & individual mini jugs of custard, white chocolate & cranberry bread & butter pudding, clementine & gingerbread trifle with vanilla ice cream, chocolate & cinnamon Pecan pie with vanilla ice cream or selection of English cheeses with artisan crackers & Christmas chutney.
To finish there were chocolate truffles & mince pies with tea or coffee.
We were truly spoiled & I'd thoroughly recommend this hostelry. And no washing up !
To complete the picture, we each had a very nice cracker ( sadly NOT Michael Buble) and .....( drum roll)
SNOW !
As we ploughed our way through the lovely food, we could see something white drifting past the window and joked that the dishwasher wasn't plumbed in properly & that this was bubbles escaping...
But as we exited the pub 2.5 hours after we entered, the owner had installed a snow machine over the door to send flurries of the white stuff over us ! Such a nice touch and a fitting end to our Christmas dinner !
The rest of the day was spent exchanging/opening this part of the family's presents ( and hence putting together a mega sized Hot Wheels Ultimate garage & Car Wash for 3 year old Jacob) , playing Chase the Ace & Sevens , Reverse Charades & Yahtzee whilst consuming wine , beer & G & Ts plus nibbles, cheese & biscuits, mince pies, Christmas cake etc.
Needless to say, after a great family day, we're still in our pjs & dozing whilst watching TV, currently Mary Poppins whilst tomorrow's Christmas Day dinner will be ham, eggs & chips !
What's not to like ?
From about 21st, big blue tanks appear on the streets, it's the carp merchants with their produce, swimming live. Legend has it that in the old days, people would take the carp home live, and leave it swimming in the bath until the big evening. You've noticed a logistic issue there already..meanwhile the kids fall in love with the carp, and by 24th insist their Dad cannot kill it. So he takes it down to the river Vltava, and sets it free. Meanwhile his hapless wife has to produce the fallback, pork schnitzel. And everyone smells a bit ripe!
Sod all that. My wife isn't a fan either, but she cooks it tonight at the home of her best friend, who is a bit alone at this time of year, and then heads back in the morning for the "English" Christmas. Have to say she finds the four days of turkey this and that a bit gross too.
Followed by Colston Bassett stilton and Montgomery cheddar.
Several beers will be on offer, as will pre-dinner cocktails, probably of the Champagne variety, and post-dinner aperitifs, most likely to include malt whiskey.
I'll never forget one of my first weeks here, getting to work to find a British coworker sitting at his desk looking absolutely shell shocked. He got up in the morning walked into the bathroom to find his MIL had been to the market and his bath looked like yangzhou aquarium!
Pavlova and chocolate cheesecake for dessert.
Saffa red blend (merlot/cab sauv), Becks, Tuborg and sparkling wine.