Hi this is ME......on Lists of my life - Friday, 20th December, 2013

I thought it might be fun to write down a list of some of the particular items needed to make Christmas day go with a swing - from my perspective.  Undoubtedly over-the-top, back then, and even more so now, but fun all the same.

I had my aunt's Christmas recipe book, full of recipes both grand and not so grand, even a few simple ideas, of earlier years, even some from the kitchens of royalty and all historic and very traditional.  The romance of the book, this slim volume with its old-fashioned appeal, spoke directly to me in an intensely personal way; I was both entranced and inspired.  The book eventually became mine and its  magic has never left me.

Ah ha - here's a paler copy of my earlier list - the original would surely frighten everyone clear away!

Food for Christmas Day -

Bird - goose, turkey, chicken, pheasant, duck, multiple-bird roast, capon
Meat - beef, lamb, pork, gammon and don't forget the chipolatas!
Veggies - potatoes, parsnips, Brussel Sprouts, peas, carrots, red cabbage, onions, broccoli
Stuffing - breadcrumbs, herbs, sausage meat, walnuts, butter, seasoning, herbs, stock cubes, celery
Sauces - bread (fresh white breadcrumbs, onion studded with cloves, bay leaf, salt & white pepper, milk;  Cranberry - home-made or bought, onion.
Giblet gravy - you can still buy giblets for the very best of gravies
Mustard; Redcurrant jelly, mint sauce, Horseradish
Yorkshire puddings - if you're having roast beef

Puddings - Christmas pudding, an Iced Bomb pudding, Fresh Cream Raspberry Trifle, Tarte au Citron or Chocolate Tarte with single cream, Profiteroles
Brandy or Rum butter, Double or single cream, ice-cream, even custard!

Dessert - Satsumas, tangerines, Brazil nuts, Walnuts, Pecans, Dates, Figs, Chocolate Raisins and Chocolate Brazils
Chocolate - Peppermint Creams, Coffee Creams, Rose Creams, Turkish Delight - all flavours - My dad loved Rose Turkish Delight

Drinks - Champagne, wine, port, sherry, Elderflower cordial, Juice, Squash, Iced Water with fresh lemon slices

Tea Time - Christmas Cake, Mince pies, Shortbread fingers, Chocolate biscuits with a good pot of fairly strong tea

Christmas supper - cold meats, salads, mayo, chutneys, hot sausage rolls, homemade sandwiches of egg and cress or ham or chicken, cheese and biscuits plus mince pies with brandy butter, a glass of wine, or two...

And ..for Christmas morning breakfast, we always had slices of delicious ham, hot sausage rolls with mustard and cups of strong, hot tea; and we generally had grapefruit halves grilled, with a scattering of crunchy brown sugar on top, plus a cherry!  Was it a Maraschino cherry, perhaps!!!

I now like to indulge my sweet tooth by munching on a warmed Pain au Chocolat for breakfast, accompanied by a lovely mug of fresh coffee!

And a little something to keep my going while I cook lunch - ah....a glass or two of Madeira ....just too delicious for words!

My list is not without its missing items and you will have your own family lists, most of which you will probably now have safely stored away for next Wednesday...for the great feast that is Christmas lunch....of dinner and do you eat  sometime around late midday or do you dine on your roast goose or turkey in the evening........it's so fascinating the story of how we all differently celebrate Christmas Day through custom and tradition.

What we eat with what and how and when.  On Christmas Day or Christmas Eve.  On Boxing Day and at New Year too - just fascinating.  I feel another post coming on - soon!

Bye for now..

Daisy