Food ‘n Drink

In the UK, the typical food eaten in and around Christmas time consists of Roast Turkey, Mince Pies, Christmas Cake and Christmas Pudding. Whilst I like Roast Turkey, ideally self basting so that it doesn’t dry out, the rest I cannot stand and have never liked!

Mince Pies are not made of beef mince, before we go any further Mince Pies are small bite-size pies filled with ‘mince meat’ which is usually made up of various dried fruit, perhaps some suet, nuts etc. and spices such as nutmeg. I’m only guessing as you usually just buy a jar of mincemeat and use a cake tray, put your pastry in, plus the filling, another bit of pastry on top and there you have it (cook them of course!). I can’t remember why I don’t like them and perhaps, as my tastes change I will grow to like them, but I avoided them this year again, so unless I try one from the shops, I’ll maybe wait for another year!

The only thing I like about Christmas Cake is the marzipan and icing that usually goes on top of it. The cake itself is very rich and heavy. Again, a lot of dried fruit including peel (which I’ve never liked), cherries (which I’ll eat before they go in the cake!) and alcohol I believe. As a kid I can always remember getting the marzipan and icing given to me by my Dad or Nan, or I’d ask for a piece and then just peel off the bit I wanted!

Christmas Pudding is also very rich and heavy. Whilst all the recipes on the BBC site seem to say you can do it the night before, I know my Mum does it a few months in advance. Probably to allow the alcohol to soak into the dried fruit. It’s traditionally then served hot with a splash of brandy over the whole pudding which is then lit. It’s a nice sight but that’s as close as I get

My choosing of Christmas desserts this year consisted of a triple chocolate cake, which unfortunately wasn’t as good as it looked (a bit dry), and a Baileys cheesecake, which was superb! However we’ve both done pretty well this year and not over eaten too much. It’s just a case now of finishing off what needs finishing and then the typical diet attempts will start again!

Hope everyone had a good Christmas and has a great New Year