Christmas Week Menu Planning

We are heading to the Mornington Peninsula for Xmas week at a house near the beach. Very excited to be together with our Melbourne family and new granddaughter for a whole week of feasting.

To prepare for the week, I have been putting together some menu ideas using recipes of old and some new ideas. This has helped us to put together our ingredients list as we expect not everything will be available down there.

Here are the “image boards” of what I am thinking….some recipes can be found here and others will be posted as we go. Hope it provides some #Festive season inspiration to you.

Free and easy breakfasts

Borlotti baked beans

Spanish Tapas

Roasted capsicum filled with tuna

Catalan Chickpea, Spinach and Raisin salad

Japanese inspired salmon bowls and tempura oysters

Tempura oysters

Indian feast

Chicken Briyani

Red lentil dhal

Samosas

Moroccan Inspiration

Bstilla

Couscous with vegetables

Greek BBQ
Aussie BBQ
Christmas Day

Duck roll

Just Desserts

Talking #Turkey #brine #xmas

In our family, we know it’s almost Christmas when the Turkey is in the brine overnight.

It’s all about salt, water and aromatics and a great way to throw I. The last of those star anise, juniper berries, cinnamon quills and the like that you have lying around in your spice cupboard! A few fresh ingredients like oranges, onion, spring onion tops, ginger, thyme and Rosemary will add delicious flavour to your Christmas bird.

You will need a nice clean bucket or tub. We buy a cheap, new one each year, wash it out well and fill with the turkey, cover with water, salt and aromatics. It doesn’t need to go into the fridge overnight.

Here’s the link to the original blog and Nigella’s recipe if you would like a bit more guidance.

Brining the Turkey makes ALL the difference if you want a plump , juicy roast on Christmas Day.

Merry Xmas everyone!!

Beautiful (And Delicious) Christmas Recipes

From http://www.gastrozone.com ….thank you. Some wonderful Christmas ideas…maybe one or two might make our menu over coming days.

So beautiful, they might steal the stage from the decor and centerpieces! These are the dishes you’ll want to make to impress friends and family. For…

Beautiful (And Delicious) Christmas Recipes

Festive Duck Roll #christmas #delicious

This year Annie won’t be with us for Christmas so it’s going to be up to Us to recreate her famous duck roll with pistachio and cherry filling ourselves. We’ll miss you Annie but will be thinking of you as we use your generously shared recipe.

You’ll need to hurry now to order your deboned whole duck from the butcher though!!

Festive duck roll

Here’s the link to the recipe

https://atomic-temporary-94611410.wpcomstaging.com/2018/12/26/annies-festive-duck-roll/

Orange date salad with mint and pistachio yoghurt #christmas

A lovely zesty minty, salad, delicious alongside the Christmas Turkey. Memories of Christmases past.

https://atomic-temporary-94611410.wpcomstaging.com/2017/12/26/orange-and-date-salad-with-pistachio-yoghurt-and-mint/

The best Turkey is a brined Turkey

Our Xmas turkey will enjoy a brining tonight before stuffing and cooking in the bbq tomorrow.

Here’s a link to Nigella Lawson’s Turkey brine recipe….use what spices you have on hand, anything is better than nothing!

https://www.nigella.com/recipes/spiced-and-superjuicy-roast-turkey