Annual Secret Santa @ Houngs

Our contribution to the BBQ at Houng's was BBQ baby back ribs.

Man Vs Food

Secret Santa's with their gifts.

Christmas Day

In the morning, Jessica woke early to see what gifts Santa came bearing with in the middle of the night. She ripped open her presents in her stocking and was ready to work on the presents under the tree... cos everyone knows those are the good stuff. But mummy put a spanner in the works when she told her that she must wait until after lunch when we can sit down like civilised non Christians and open our Christmas presents together. Jessica had bad thoughts running through her head about what was just said to her but she dared not voice them as she knew only too well the damage that can be inflicted with the feared, Back Hand.

Everyone hoped that if they ignored It, It would go away.

The plan to have everyone open their presents, one at a time failed miserably. Especially because by the time lunch had finished, Jessica was about to burst. The kids let rip and so did the adults.

It was a little stressful at times- especially when the family started rolling in and dipping into my cupboard of a kitchen, but, once everyone was all seated and the food spread out on the table, the chatter started flowing, people passing food around, crackers being pulled, laughter, eating, Top of the Pops on the T.V... That's exactly what I wanted. It's what epitomise Christmas for me. Your loved ones together, enjoying each others company and eating good food... even if I do say so myself.

Good times.

Christmas Lunch

I had been looking forward to Christmas day since September and had because this year Christmas lunch would be at my house, I was even more excited because it meant it'll be the first time I had cooked Christmas lunch for the family at the flat.

Preparations were well under way at the beginning of December so by Christmas day I would have everything under control... in theory anyway.

Red and gold theme table. The centrepiece was finished off with freshly cut hollies from the drive... Tralalalalalala...

Maple Glazed Ham

Lemon Roast Chickens with Thyme and Lemon

Roast Sirloin Joint of Beef

Stuffing and Sausages Wrapped in Bacon

Roast Potatoes in Goose Fat

Peas and Carrots

Honey Glazed Parsnips

Brussel Sprouts with Smoked Bacon

Potato Dauphinoise

Warm Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream and Homemade Butterscotch Sauce

Or

With Custard

Fruit Trifle

Not to mention there were, pumpkin soup, yorkshire pudding, spiced red cabbage, chicken gravy and black pepper sauce. Phew.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake

For days when no ordinary chocolate cake will do.




Recipe from Smitten Kitchen

The Week Before Christmas

Brownie Bites

Brownie bites with a festive sprinkle of edible gold dust.

Sunday Upmarket @ Brick Lane

(then my battery died. DOH)