Creating a New Family Christmas Tradition: A Feast by All, for All

Christmas is a time for coming together, celebrating family, and indulging in delicious food. 

If you’re looking to add a touch of novelty and excitement to your festive feast, why not start a new family Christmas tradition? 

One way to make the day even more memorable is by getting everyone involved in preparing the meal. 

You can have each family member take charge of a different course – from the starter to the dessert – creating a shared experience that blends creativity, tradition, and fun.

Here’s how you can kick off this wonderful new tradition:

1. Plan the Courses Together

A successful collaborative Christmas meal starts with a bit of planning. Decide in advance how many courses you’ll have, keeping it festive but manageable. For a traditional Christmas feast, you might opt for four key courses:

The starter

The main (usually meat)

The vegetables or side dishes

The dessert

Gather your family and decide who will be in charge of each course. You could draw names from a hat, assign roles based on cooking skills, or let everyone choose what they’re most excited to prepare.

2. Incorporate Personal Tastes and Traditions

A family feast is about blending everyone’s tastes and traditions. Encourage each person to bring their own twist to their dish. The starter could be inspired by an old family recipe or a modern favourite, while the main course might reflect the region’s traditional roast or something entirely different. The vegetables can be a mixture of classic options like Brussels sprouts and roast potatoes, or something more adventurous like spiced carrots or glazed parsnips.

The beauty of this approach is that it allows everyone to share a bit of themselves through the meal, blending old and new flavours.

3. Host a Family Cooking Day

If you have the luxury of time, consider turning the day before Christmas into a family cooking day. Gather in the kitchen to prep ingredients and help one another with the more time-consuming aspects of cooking. For example, the person in charge of the starter can begin preparing soup or baking bread, while others peel and chop vegetables, or prep the pudding. This not only lightens the load but creates bonding moments around the stove.

If there are younger children in the family, assign them simple but important tasks like mixing ingredients or setting the table. It’s a great way to include everyone, no matter their age.

4. Presentation: A Feast for the Eyes

Another way to elevate this tradition is by making each course a showstopper, not just in taste but in presentation. Encourage each family member to think creatively about how they want their dish to look. The starter could be plated in individual portions, the vegetables arranged artfully, and the dessert garnished with a festive flair. You could even take photos of each dish to create a ‘family feast album’ – a fun way to commemorate the day and see how everyone’s skills evolve year by year.

5. Create a Story with the Meal

As each family member presents their course, ask them to share a little about why they chose that dish. Perhaps there’s a story behind the recipe, or it reminds them of a fond Christmas memory. This transforms the meal into more than just food – it becomes a tapestry of shared stories and experiences, weaving together everyone’s history.

6. Enjoy the Moment – Together

When Christmas Day finally arrives, sit back and enjoy the fruits of your collective labour. The beauty of this tradition is that the feast isn’t solely the responsibility of one person – it’s a shared creation, made with love by the whole family. Plus, you’ll likely discover new flavours and dishes you never thought to include before.

7. Rotate Responsibilities Each Year

To keep things fresh, rotate the roles each year. This way, everyone has a chance to try their hand at a different course, challenging themselves and exploring new recipes. It also ensures that each person has the opportunity to shine as the ‘star’ of the meal. Over time, this tradition could even spark new family favourites and become the highlight of the festive season.

Final Thoughts

Starting a new family Christmas tradition that involves everyone in the kitchen brings a new layer of meaning to the festive season. It’s about more than just the food – it’s about creating memories, sharing stories, and enjoying each other’s company. With each person contributing to the feast, the meal becomes a true reflection of the family, filled with love, laughter, and a delicious blend of flavours that are uniquely yours.

So, this Christmas, why not begin this wonderful new tradition? Get the whole family involved, roll up your sleeves, and create a Christmas feast that’s as much about the journey as it is about the destination.

The Delicious History of Mince Pies: A Timeless Christmas Treat

Mince pies, those delectable little pastries filled with a sweet and spicy mixture of fruits and spices, are a quintessential part of the holiday season in many parts of the world. 

Their history is a fascinating journey through time, blending cultural influences and culinary traditions. Join us as we explore the rich and mouth-watering history of mince pies.

Origins of the Name

The term "mince pie" can be somewhat misleading, as the filling of these delightful pastries doesn't actually contain minced meat in most modern versions. However, the name has its roots in medieval Britain when it was indeed common to use meat in these pies. The word "mince" in this context originally meant to chop finely, and early mince pies combined minced meat (usually beef or mutton) with fruits and spices.

Medieval Beginnings

The history of mince pies can be traced back to the 13th century when they were introduced to Europe. These early pies often featured a mixture of meat, fruits, and spices. The spices were particularly important, as they helped to preserve the meat before the advent of refrigeration. The combination of sweet and savoury ingredients symbolized unity and harmony, making mince pies a popular choice for feasts and celebrations.

Cultural Influences

Over time, mince pies evolved as various cultural influences began to shape their recipes. The Crusaders returning from the Middle East brought back exotic spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, which quickly found their way into mince pie recipes. These spices not only added rich flavour but also played a significant role in masking the taste of less-than-fresh meat.

The Tudor Era

During the reign of the Tudors in England (15th to 17th centuries), mince pies continued to evolve. The addition of fruits like currants, raisins, and apples, along with those aforementioned spices, made these pies increasingly sweet and less reliant on meat. It was also during this period that the traditional shape of the mince pie, round with a top crust, was established.

Puritan Opposition

In the 17th century, mince pies faced a threat from the Puritans, who believed they were too extravagant and associated them with Catholicism. Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, banned mince pies, along with other Christmas traditions, in an attempt to promote sobriety and eliminate pagan influences. Fortunately, this ban was lifted with the restoration of the monarchy, and mince pies once again became a beloved part of the holiday season.

Modern Mince Pies

Today's mince pies, particularly here in the United Kingdom, are primarily sweet rather than savoury. The traditional filling consists of a mixture of dried fruits, suet, spices, sugar, and sometimes a bit of alcohol, such as brandy or rum. The pies are often served in small, individual sizes and can be enjoyed hot or cold.

In the United States, a close relative to the mince pie, the mincemeat pie, often includes meat, though some modern versions are entirely fruit-based, resembling the British mince pie more closely.

The history of mince pies is a testament to the enduring appeal of certain culinary traditions, despite evolving tastes and changing cultural contexts. From its humble origins as a meat-filled pie to its transformation into a sweet and spicy delight, mince pies have become an iconic symbol of the holiday season, cherished by people of all backgrounds. So, as you savour your next mince pie during the holidays, take a moment to appreciate the centuries of history that brought this delicious treat to your plate.

(Image courtesy of Anita Smith from Pixabay)

A Taste of Down Under: Exploring the Typical Australian Christmas Meal

When you think of Christmas, you'll probably envision snow, warm, cosy open fires, and hot mulled wine. 

But in the Land Down Under in Australia, where December is the peak of their summer, the Christmas season unfolds quite differently. Australians have adapted their Christmas traditions to the scorching sun and clear blue skies, including their Christmas meals. In this blog post, we'll explore the typical Australian Christmas meal and the unique culinary traditions that make it a memorable and mouth-watering experience.

Fresh Seafood

Christmas in Australia often begins with some fresh seafood. With the country's vast coastline and abundant marine life, it's no wonder prawns, oysters, and crayfish make their way onto the holiday table. Prawns, especially, are an iconic Christmas dish, often served cold with cocktail sauce or simply grilled with a touch of lemon. These delicious crustaceans symbolise the Australian love for outdoor barbecues and beachside gatherings during the festive season.

Roast Meats

While roast turkey or ham is a traditional Christmas centrepiece in many countries, Australians often opt for roast meats that are more suited to their warmer climate. Lamb, beef, or pork roasts are popular choices, often cooked on the barbecue to keep the heat out of the kitchen. These succulent roasts are typically seasoned with garlic, rosemary, and native herbs, giving them a distinctive Australian flavour.

Barbecue Bonanza 

Australians are known for their love of barbecues, and Christmas Day is no exception to this rule. Barbecues are often fired up to grill various meats, sausages, and even seafoods. Also in addition to the roast meats, you might find kangaroo steaks or emu sausages, which add a unique and exotic twist to the festive feasting.

Salads and Sides

Given the heat, a variety of salads and refreshing side dishes really are a must on the Australian Christmas table. Classic salads such as potato salad, coleslaw, and Greek salad are often featured alongside more innovative options such as mango and avocado salads, all designed to cool the palate and complement the grilled and roasted main dishes.

Australia also produces a range of interesting and tasty cheeses which find their way onto Australian Christmas cheeseboards. 

Christmas Pudding and Pavlova

Despite the heat, some Australian Christmas traditions align with those of the Northern Hemisphere. Christmas pudding, a rich, fruity, and spiced dessert, is still very much enjoyed, although it may be served with a dollop of ice cream to combat the warmth. But the true star of the Australian Christmas dessert table is the pavlova. This meringue-based dessert is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and traditionally topped with fresh fruits like passionfruit, kiwi, and strawberries.

Tropical Fruits

Australians take full advantage of the seasonal fruits that thrive in their warmer climate. Mangoes, cherries, watermelons, and lychees are commonly served during Christmastime, either as a refreshing snack or incorporated into desserts and fruit salads. These juicy, tropical fruits add a burst of colour and flavour to the festive feasting. 

Drinks

To beat the summer heat, Australians enjoy a variety of beverages during their Christmas celebrations. Iced tea, lemonade, and sparkling wines are some popular choices. Some may even indulge in a classic Aussie beer or a glass of chilled rosé. A non-alcoholic favourite is the "Aussie Punch," which is a fruity concoction made with fruit juices, soda, and a hint of mint.

The typical Australian Christmas meal is a reflection of the country's unique climate, culture, and culinary traditions. From fresh seafood and barbecued meats to tropical fruits and pavlova, the Australian Christmas feast is a true celebration of the nation's diversity and love for the outdoors. So, if you ever find yourself celebrating Christmas Down Under, be prepared for a mouth-watering and memorable culinary adventure that is sure to leave you feeling full and festive.

(Image courtesy of Uwe Jelting from Pixabay)