Monday 31 December 2012

Christmasy Deliciousness

I've been having a bad day and to be honest I feel completely overwhelmed by things that need doing, not least keeping up with my blogs, writing for other people, socialising, clearing up the house (it looks like a dust bomb has hit it) and trying to get stuff done at the lottie before Andrew goes back to work. My depression is slowly killing me today, I guess I am coming down after the efforts of Christmas.

I've been asleep most of the day and have the worst headache and indeed ache all over (another bout of flu coming?) and if that isn't bad enough my letter 'u' is sticking. Oh dear me, my 1st world problems are horrendous *shame on me!*
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Anywho :) I wanted to share a little of the fabulous food we had over the Holidays; food we grew ourselves of course ;)

First up is the Jack O'Lantern Pumpkin (if you remember, it was the only large one we managed to get this year). We've been enjoying it roasted and in risottos but we also included it in the 'big meal'.

As it was cut up we saved the seeds and not just for planting again this year oh no! We roasted the vast majority in the oven with cumin, turmeric, paprika and salt and they are the most moreish, yum-tastic healthy nibble ever! I hope you do the same soon - never waste the seeds, I promise it's hardly any trouble and you come across as a top chef!!

The flesh was cut up and blanched and then packaged up into bags for the freezer. A great tip so you don't get bored with it quickly. And this year it was added to the traditional veggie mash - oh yes, it was most excellent.

Every year since we acquired our plots we have made Christmas veggie mash with our own parsnips, carrots (usually our own but not this year due to the disastrous crop) and spuds (never our own, they are far too cheap and plentiful at this time of year in the shops) a gulg of olive oil, some freshly ground pepper and a few spices.
It made for fab Boxing Day potato style cakes too :)

The parsnips also get the roasted and honeyed treatment in our house - god save you if you try to get in my way when these babies are ready to eat, I turn feral.

The stuffing balls (and again see above warning) has our own leeks in as well as bought sausage meat, fresh cranberries and orange juice, breadcrumbs and sage.

The ever disgusting Brussel Sprouts were bought this year which really felt like a kick in the teeth. I hate them with a passion unlimited in its ferocity but I do like to see others (weirdos) eating them, loving them and knowing I had picked them the day before. This year was just not conducive to planting them with our re-jigging of the plots and making the beds bigger. I guess these look good though.

The best thing (apart from the parsnips and stuffing) in the world at this time of year is Sloe Gin or Sloe Vodka, it's up to you, we have both. We have a secret go to tree every year and make this delicious tipple, it tastes a little medicinal but I love the burn at the back of the throat and the smell. I was so fortunate to find these 50s port glasses in a local secondhand shop on Christmas Eve. I LOVE them and yes, I did fill them up a little too much - I didn't drink it all, honest!

That's all for now, I just realy wanted to share this and say THANK YOU to Andrew for making the best Christmas Dinner ever! Ever! xxx

7 comments:

  1. I'm one of the weirdos that love sprouts so can't be a supertaster!

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  2. Lovely post, and terrific photos.
    Happy New Year! Flighty xx

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  3. sprouts for me too, please. And the Christmas veg mash looks very good.

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  4. Those glasses are just lovely and the whole post makes me warm inside. Happe New Year to you all xxxxx

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  5. OMG ! Carrie girl these pictures should be in a magazine! They look absolutely fabulous and can make you feel hungry all over again even if you had just eaten (hum .. not me of course ? LOL)wiping the cheesecake crumbs from the corners of my mouth)
    I love your glasses .. what a wonderful find on Xmas eve ! They are beautiful and even more beautiful with the slow vodka fizz? ;-)
    It looks like you had a wonderful time .. sorry about how you feel girl .. I also have had some terrible shifts .. but I am trying to keep my head above water .. cat paddling as fast as I can !LOL
    Happy New Year girl !!
    Joy

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  6. I have just discovered your blog - and it is just lovely! The photographs are stunning; quite inspiring

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  7. aawwww you're all just lovely and I blush at your kind comments :)
    HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all and may you have many a worm and ladybird in your garden and few slugs xxx

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