{Getting Cosy ~ The who, what, where, why and how of autumn/winter in the Love Audrey household. What we love to cook, eat, wear and do in the colder months, with just a hint of Christmas magic.}
It’s finally beginning to look a little like Christmas round here. The tree is up and a festive wreath hangs from our front door. The children and I made an early morning pilgrimage to the shops today and a plump turkey and juicy ham now nestle safely in the refrigerator. We also took a delivery from those friendly folks at Asda and lined our cupboards with almost everything we need for the big feast.
I’m an avid meal planner at the best of times. It helps save money, reduces what we waste, and gives me a sense of order in an otherwise chaotic world. In line with this, I approach high days and holidays with a military precision. There are multiple shopping lists for the week ahead, and I’ve already begun preparing the things that can be cooked well in advance.
So, presented here for your perusal, is what we’ll be eating over the festive period…
Christmas Eve
I’ll be working until 2pm on Saturday, but as soon as I’ve rushed home and had a quick cuppa I’ll be slipping Beer Braised Beef Casserole into the oven. It will remain there, content in it’s heavy cast iron pan, for the next 3hrs, while I busy myself wrapping the last few presents, watching Christmas movies and sipping mulled wine….
Nigella’s Vin Chaud {serves 6-8}
from Nigella Christmas pg. 261
You will need:
1 x 75cl bottle good robust red wine
4 cinnamon sticks
1 x 13cm curl orange zest, shaved off the orange with a vegetable peeler
75g sugar
1 star anise
5 whole cloves
80ml cognac
Pour the wine into a large pan and add the remaining ingredients. Bring to an almost boil, don’t actually let it boil, then turn down the heat and let it simmer gently. The mulled wine is ready when the sugar has dissolved, though you can leave the pan on a very low heat to keep warm. This is best served in small cups or heatproof glasses with handles. To make a non-alcoholic version, replace the wine with 500ml pomegranate juice and 500ml cranberry juice, and dispense with the cognac.
Christmas Day
Having weighed out the ingredients the night before, we’ll be able to rifle through our stockings {no doubt at the crack of dawn} while nibbling Christmas Morning Muffins, accompanied, in my case at least, by a hefty mug of tea. If people are peckish mid-morning {and knowing my gluttonous children, they will be} there’s the possibility of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs too.
It’s just the four of us at home this year, for the first time since we moved to Devon almost 6 years ago. I am excited and anxious, in equal measures, about the prospect of cooking Christmas dinner. Cross your fingers nothing goes wrong for me!
The main event will consist of…
- Roast Turkey with AllSpice Gravy {which I’ll lovingly prepare a couple of days ahead using the bird’s giblets}.
- Redder Than Red Cranberry Sauce {already sitting invitingly in the fridge, a gorgeous shade of crimson and just waiting to be devoured}.
- Gingerbread Stuffing
- Roast Potatoes
- Brussel Sprouts with Chestnuts
… and probably some peas, red cabbage, pigs in blankets {shop bought and waiting patiently in the freezer, for shame} and Yorkshire puds too!
Boxing Day
We’ll be joined by my Mum, Bonus Dad, sister and a family friend on Monday so there will be plenty of hungry souls on hand to help us wade though the leftovers. I’ll also be cooking Ginger-Glazed Ham to satisfy Mr. LA’s carnivorous cravings and a Chocolate and Cranberry Cake for dessert.
With any luck, at this point we’ll all collapse into a food coma and there will be no need for me to enter the kitchen for at least a week.
Tell me about your Christmas feasts. What will you be cooking and eating? Any favourite tipples or treats you like to indulge in at this time of year?
Love Audrey xxx
That all sounds amazing! I’ve never attempted Christmas dinner and can’t wait to go home to my parents this weekend and be cooked for, pathetic. Last year my mum produced four roast ducks (one each!) as she worried they were too small! And I plan to eat mince pies with every meal for the next week. I hope the whole Loveaudrey household has an wonderful Christmas 🙂 xxx
Its so nice that you are having a nice cosy family Christmas day! My fiancé is working until four, so we’re eating later that normal, and I’ve invited a friend from work over too otherwise he’d be all on his lonesome & we cant have that! I’m doing a honey and orange glazed gammon this year! fingers crossed it goes okay! Completely left it too late to get any supermarket to deliver which is annoying, as now i’ll overspend in Asda and end up with too much food! I’ve done a few festive recipes over on my blog recently, so am feeling far less bahumbug than I normally would around this time of year!
I wish you four the very nicest christmas you could ever wish for, and just think, this time next month you’ll be married and even happier!
xxx
Xmas Eve we are having a Julbord, with plenty of glögg to wash it down, then the traditional roast with my Mum’s awesome stuffing on the Big Day. Boxing day will involve the leftovers of the previous 2 days. S and I are doing the Julbord, prep has begun tonight.
Oh my, can I come by too? My meal plans are very measly for Christmas, since we’re flying to Poland for the whole Holiday season. I did however bake some star-shaped cookies to nibble on in the pre-Christmas week, plus I’m cooking a huge batch of meatballs for a friend who just had a baby! x
When can I move in?! haha. You’re such a domestic Goddess! I wish I had some cooking skills! I’m sure the festive dinner will go to plan. Enjoy!xx
That sounds soooo amazing!! Round my house, its almost all prepared stuff, mainly because there’s only two of us! But I’ve a whole list of things that I have to have over christmas at specific times….bacon sarnies xmas morning, cold buffet style tea christmas day evening (where there *has* to be a ham), eating more of said buffet boxing day and every other day between xmas and christmas. I kinda wish I could actually cook and be able to do something on the same scale as your lovely self, but alas, not blessed with domestic skills in that way!!
Wow, that all sounds amazing. If for some reason we don’t make it to Ireland I’m high-tailing it down to Devon!
Have a fantastic Christmas with the family!
xxx