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Glaucus
15-10-2009, 21:03
Well as normal I will be doing a fake Christmas. But was thinking of doing a more traditional meal and no not turkey. IIRC the traditional Christmas dinner we know is only a few hundread years old.

Was wondering if anyone knew what was traditional before this, even back to the origins in Roman times.

Googles no really helping me at the moment. Other than throwing up a hundred and one recipes for plum pudding.

Briggykins
15-10-2009, 21:08
Apparently it was a boar or a peacock in medieval times. Mmm, peacock. No idea what it would have been in Roman times tho. Pheasant?

Glaucus
15-10-2009, 21:14
Just found this
http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/christmas-recipes.php

Boar head anyone..

Mark
15-10-2009, 21:15
Are you going to eat it in the traditional manner too? ;D

Will
16-10-2009, 20:48
We don't tend to have a dinner, but just a late lunch - no idea what we're doing this year, we don't take it very seriously or make much of an effort really.

Tak
16-10-2009, 20:58
No idea what we're doing this year - in the past we've either gone out or gone round someone elses house; I've never had tried cooking a christmas dinner yet (this may actually be a good way of avoiding the complete fcuk up that I'm sure would be the result)

Glaucus
16-10-2009, 22:00
We don't tend to have a dinner, but just a late lunch - no idea what we're doing this year, we don't take it very seriously or make much of an effort really.

:'( why not. It is such a great time to meet up and party with friends on the run up and then spend time with the family. Everyone goes home for a few days.

Will
17-10-2009, 09:16
Well we often go to France so that's not bad, but other than that it's just us 4 - we haven't got any family here in the UK.

We do have a pre-Christmas party that we throw for our friends (invites c.100 people) but you tend to get 50% turn up. :)

Christmas itself is a nice time to get together, but we get together on many other occaisions.

As for the run up I've always worked up and including Christmas Eve. Besides from a religious background, for me Christmas was never until January (Greek Orthodox) - but more emphasis was put on Easter anyway rather than Christmas.

Don't get me wrong I like the traditional side of things and when we had more family around we always used to get together, but that was more for the fact that there were lots of kids and it was easier to manage them all in one place than all over the place.

On personal note, Christmas has some dark times associated for me so I don't really get excited about it anymore, I accept it and get on with it, but I'm reticent of enjoying it.


Anyway back to the actual thread, boar rings a bell. In France we don't do Turkey at all for Christmas (well the do, but it's not "traditional".)

A typical French christmas meal is typically consists of some of the following (but not necessarily all):

Foie gras
Oysters
Salmon or Fish main
Muscles / scallops / other type of shell fish
Beef main
Goose / Bird main
Game main

lostkat
17-10-2009, 10:07
Foie gras
Oysters
Salmon or Fish main
Muscles / scallops / other type of shell fish
Beef main
Goose / Bird main
Game main
Can I come to your house for Christmas please? :p

Tak
17-10-2009, 10:48
Can I come to your house for Christmas please? :p

I was thinking the same thing :D

Kitten
17-10-2009, 11:36
I'll give it a miss with all that shellfish ;)

We only have 3 in our family (me, mum & gran), but we still always have Christmas lunch. It's the only time of the year we ever had a roast dinner, and now we just make it with what we like, so it's always a nice relaxed affair. Now we have Chef Matt who cooks a roaring roast, so any excuse is a good 'un ;). Usually good for soaking up the birthday celebrations too :D

Princess Griff
17-10-2009, 12:21
Its mine and Jingos first christmas in our lil housey :)

Will
17-10-2009, 12:34
Can I come to your house for Christmas please? :p

Hehe - we don't have ALL of that, it's just an example of what we'd typically have. :)

lostkat
17-10-2009, 14:44
Hehe - we don't have ALL of that, it's just an example of what we'd typically have. :)
:( Disappointed TBQFH

Jingo
17-10-2009, 18:45
Mini Crimbo in Maison Jingriff! :D

I haven't a clue what we'll be doing yet- my family will be moving into their new home in Kernow around this time, Princess Griff is heart-bound to her family home, we haven't had a christmas to 'ourselves' before and it's all just a bit in the air!

I vote for any location, but with the caveat of much mulled cider, cheesy christmas music, the usual christmas television, lots of effort with presents for everyone and a damn good spoiling of my little star Princess Griff x

Fayshun
17-10-2009, 22:48
Rear Admiral Sir Fayshun Sr, RN Rtd. always always has goose for Christmas dinner.

I'm sure he's really a reincarnation of Charles Dickens.

Lomster
17-10-2009, 22:52
My mum usually does beef and gammon for xmas :)

we have only had one xmas at faylom's mansion and we had turkey but we were all ill and Josh had only been out of hospital a couple of days and was still really poorly so none of us ate it really.

Flibster
17-10-2009, 23:12
Rear Admiral Sir Fayshun Sr, RN Rtd. always always has goose for Christmas dinner.

I'm sure he's really a reincarnation of Charles Dickens.

Goose is so much nicer than turkey. Although, I'd rather have chicken than turkey. Really don't know why turkey is so popular.

I've already ordered the meat for the meal I'm doing this year.
5kg rib roast beef joint. :D My excellent local butcher too so he was more than happy for a bit of a special order. Going to be hung for 8 weeks.

Probably going to cook it extremely slowly, probably over 18-24 hours. Other than that - haven't decided yet.

Princess Griff
18-10-2009, 21:08
Mini Crimbo in Maison Jingriff! :D

I haven't a clue what we'll be doing yet- my family will be moving into their new home in Kernow around this time, Princess Griff is heart-bound to her family home, we haven't had a christmas to 'ourselves' before and it's all just a bit in the air!

I vote for any location, but with the caveat of much mulled cider, cheesy christmas music, the usual christmas television, lots of effort with presents for everyone and a damn good spoiling of my little star Princess Griff x

Awww! You just made my eyes wee a little bit!!! Miss u - come home sooooon! x

Glaucus
28-11-2009, 01:36
hey guys I need some inspiration.

First of all what's hat word beginning with S for like a food taste course.

But on to the real deal, I have got no inspiration on a starter.

Main course is Venison haunch, fondant potatoes, roast beetroot and celeriac puree with either red wine or port gravy.

Desert is Zuppa Inglese (apparently popular in Italy for Christmas) it's a layered sponge with confectionery custard. Going to serve it with some Christmas pud ice cream and sugar work.

But I'm just uninspired by at least tentively Christmas starters

edit - how about something like cheese and mushroom filo pastry things with a cranberry sauce.

_dogma_
28-11-2009, 01:54
We won't be having proper Christmas dinner this year :(
We'll be in LA so will probably have to go for a meal as I'm too scared I'll muck up my favourite meal of the year!

Kitten
28-11-2009, 10:34
hey guys I need some inspiration.

First of all what's hat word beginning with S for like a food taste course.
.

smorgasboard?

Tak
28-11-2009, 11:28
Going to attempt to cook a full xmas roast with trimmings ;D expect a "we ended up with microwave meals" post here on xmas day :p ;D

Flibster
28-11-2009, 13:35
I've arranged some reindeer pate form my local butcher.

Not going to tell anyone. ;)

Tak
28-11-2009, 13:52
I've arranged some reindeer pate form my local butcher.

Not going to tell anyone. ;)

*tries to remember which billy connolly "tour" the australian dinner was on* ;D

Mark
28-11-2009, 13:57
As long as it isn't Rudolph or any of the others, I don't have a problem.

I'd be rather worried for your health if it was

Glaucus
28-11-2009, 14:57
smorgasboard?

unfortunately not.

Don't you just hate it when something is on the tip of your tongue but you just can't get it.

Joe 90
28-11-2009, 15:42
wow, now i really can't wait for that Christmas dinner (and all the wine)!

we always tend to be typically traditional, turkey, cranberry sauce, Yorkshire puds!

lostkat
28-11-2009, 22:35
hey guys I need some inspiration.

First of all what's hat word beginning with S for like a food taste course.

But on to the real deal, I have got no inspiration on a starter.

Main course is Venison haunch, fondant potatoes, roast beetroot and celeriac puree with either red wine or port gravy.

Desert is Zuppa Inglese (apparently popular in Italy for Christmas) it's a layered sponge with confectionery custard. Going to serve it with some Christmas pud ice cream and sugar work.

But I'm just uninspired by at least tentively Christmas starters

edit - how about something like cheese and mushroom filo pastry things with a cranberry sauce.
With venison, fondant potatoes and a rich gravy for mains, I would stick with something quite light for starters otherwise you run the risk of your guests getting a bit too full and stodged out. How about something like Gravlax with a horseradish sauce & oatcakes or seared king scallops with a pea puree & crispy pancetta?

Glaucus
29-11-2009, 09:37
that is a very good point lostkat.

Tak
29-11-2009, 12:09
We had xmas day last night :) A friend who we normally see/spend xmas with is going to oz this year so we had a full goose xmas dinner with secret santas and crackers and everything :D
This adds nothing to the thread, I just wanted to say Mmmmm goose :D