Post Christmas Post

I have to admit, I'm a feeder.

I love to make mounds of food to love and nourish those I love, - and those lucky enough to come into the restaurant! I can't help it. I love to do it, and they have to eat anyway, so we might as well do it in style.

I perfectly understand that Christmas is about many other things than just food and presents, but this is a food blog after all, so this shall be my focus today.

Due to Unforeseen Circumstances (see previous post) and Major Complications with my oven, we 'decided' to enjoy our Christmas dinner on Boxing Day this year. My fantastically talented BigJ managed to source and install a brand new element for my oven on Christmas Eve, but it then had to be burnt in and tested and we made other arrangements for the big day. A few issues had to be faced as my oven is a European model and the element wasn't the exact match, but BigJ drew on his electrician roots and rose to the occasion.

Unfortunately, this did mean that we went without a gingerbread house this year and a few other seasonal goodies, but I promise we will make up for it during the year and just wait for next Christmas's bounty! I can assure you that we didn't actually feel the need for more food, there was certainly more than enough to go round!

This is what we enjoyed for our meal:

Roast Pork Belly - the crackle to meat ratio is unbeatable, and the meat is soft and juicy

Roast Chicken - stuffed with garlic and lemon to subtly flavour the meat

Baked Lamb - crispy skin, rosy flesh, always a favourite

Gluten Free Gravy - made with all the pan drippings, a splash of wine and roasted garlic

Baked Potatoes - cooked in duck fat for crispy outside and fluffy middle

Creamy Potato Bake - with lactose free cream and smoked ham

Tri Colour Carrots - yellow, purple and orange! Braised with baby leeks and garlic butter

Various Condiments - apple sauce, spicy plum sauce, mint jelly

Dessert: Frozen Berry Mess - tastier than it sounds! Chunks of meringue, berry sorbet, vanilla ice cream and raspberries deliciously mixed together

Drinks: for me- sparkling strawberry wine (a tradition) for him- apple cider, for the Juniors- sparkling apple and strawberry juice

We also had in reserve a huge smoked ham and a smoked leg of lamb, but decided that although the spirit was willing, the flesh was full, and we would enjoy these later in the week.

That is how we enjoyed our Christmas meal. The 4 of us. Anyone for leftovers?

So dear Readers, how much food did you stuff in- I mean enjoy- this Christmas?