Christmas Food

[ludaloo]

Just wondered what yummies you buy/make for christmas that you don't usually.

I can't wait for my xmas food shop....
Usually contains lots of chocolate!
I thought this year I might buy a joint of ham for boxing day.
We buy nuts and satsumas (which we never usually do!)

I am also going to make a chocolate gateux if I can! for christmas day pudding (noone likes Christmas pud)
I'm going to make truffles and peppermint creams too.

Any other yummies I'm missing out on??

Brandy snaps?

I'm going to do duck for xmas dinner I think.

duck sounds nice!....not very big bird though...does it feed everyone ok?

mince pies Buy the mix and make the pastry myself. Kids can join in. All devour.

I was thinking of doing duck this year, there is one you can order from M&S (which looks so yummy) but its 19.99 (ouch!) and as there are only 3 of us I can't really justify getting it, really not a big fan of turkey, anyone had goose??

oooooh brandy snaps, dribbling down my top now

We don't like turkey...usually just have a chicken...never tried goose though....

goose is very nice but extremely fatty ( like duck) and a bit of a pain to cook if I remember rightly.

Panettone!!!

Bought some Mr Kipling mince pies the other day, horrible as the pastry was rock solid, proper peanuts in shells and almonds etc are nice to have in, remember as a kid my dad would be sitting there with his nutcracker opening them for me

I have to decided to prepare and cook some stuff xmas eve ready for dinner the next day (will probably have some M&S prepared food in anyway)DH is not a veg fan so I mainly have it all to myself

I've never done it before Ludaloo but theres only dh, myself dd (3) and ds is only 3 months.
I should think it will be enough for us.

I'd recommend the goose. Yes, it is fatty, and you do have to keep pouring the fat off - so make sure you have lots of large jars/containers to collect it. But it is well worth the effort. We had goose for the first time 5 years ago and haven't had anything else since. And goose fat can be stored for ages to make fantastic roast potatoes.

My mince pie tip is to buy the really cheapo jars of mincemeat then lace them with brandy/port/whatever. Leave them to steep for a while, then make the pies. Yummy. If I remember I buy the jars in January when they're on special, then leave them for 12 months to get well and truly soaked, topping them up occasionally.

One other tip is to try clotted cream with your pudding and/or mince pies. It's great as it's nowhere near as icky as brandy butter can be.

God, did that all come out like some fecking Jamie@Sainsburys advert? Sorry

I really enjoy making my mincemeat, it tastes so much nicer than the bought cakes and smells really festive. I have a couple of jars left over from last year and am making another batch. I am doing a Nigella Lawson recipe for the turkey, it is steeped in spices for 2 days before and is supposed to make it really juicy. I am also doing parmesan parsnips, brussel sprouts with pancetta, chestnuts and parsley and proper roast potatoes with goose fat (plus carrots and peas)!! I have already made my cranberry and orange sauce, which is in the freezer and am making my christmas pudding tommorow.
Feel quite chuffed with myself!!!

I'm drooling just reading this thread!

My SUPER EASY xmas treat is mincepie puffs. All you need is some ready-rolled puff pastry, cut out xmas shapes with biscuit cutters, blob of mincemeat in the middle and bake til golden. When cool drizzle a bit of icing on. Great for kids to do.

Also dh makes the easiest homemade cranberry sauce by just bubbling up some fresh cranberries, sugar, little bit of water and orange rind if you fancy it. Much nicer than bought stuff.

Sorry to sound like Nigella!

have just bought a 16lb turkey, stocking up on plenty of red wine and will do xmas pud and gateau.

will also make my own mince pies with my eldest two helping

Really proud of myself - made Christmas Pudding at the weekend (asked MIL to help in the name of family tradition). Suddenly feel very grown up after 18 years of marriage...

SIANG how about you go and pay the people you owe money too on bounty before splashing the cash. what about their christmasses ? You've had things from them and not paid. they're mums too. unless sorted soon the police are being involved

jackiedog, i believe she's just been on bounty and posted a thread. check it out it explains

yep and thats at least the 3rd time she's promised payments will be or have been sent yet they never actually turn up. she's a liar and a thiref. the police are now being involved.