Christmas 2008

Since I’ve been cooking Christmas lunches, TLM has been snapping photos just after I run in with the gravy (always the last item, always in copious quantities). I always print the picture out and pop it in the ‘Christmas’ section of my recipe folder for reference for future years – things to work on, things that burnt, things that worked really well etc. This year’s was the biggest effort so far (roasties and mash!) and was based on the freezing-as-much-as-possible-beforehand method. We only got a little crown, which I cooked better than last time by stuffing an onion and lemon up it to raise the lower part up, but could still to with being moister for next time by decreasing cooking time and increasing resting time. Ho-hum.

There was one rather exciting and momentous Christmas occurance – I was given a bright red KitchenAid mixer by TLM. An object of lust that looks totally glam and indulgent on the side. I am of course completely spoiled and I can’t stop stroking it as I walk by (which I must stop because I’m leaving my pawprints all over it). I’ve not used it yet, as TLM has been working long shifts since Christmas day and I felt its first use should be witnessed. He finishes at 9pm tonight – or thereabouts barring any catastrophes – so tomorrow we will be having pancakes for breakfast and we will marvel at how good the mixer looks as it does what we could very well do with a whisk. I think I’ll have to get googling on batters and mixes and doughs to make full use of my new equipment. I think TLM may be thinking that effort saved in mixing will be redistributed elsewhere…

Happy Christmas all!