Nigella’s turkey meatballs, black beer gingerbread and glazed sausages in cob loaf with haloumi in radicchio and beet root sauce
Why have I included the Domestic Goddess’ menu in my blog??
Because it seemed so divinely simple, Dahling!
Christmas Stress, in capital letters, is upon us again. We eat, drink and complain more at this time of the year than at any other. Uncle Harry snores, Mum is exhausted and her short fuse is even shorter. The kids scream and run about and everyone has indigestion. Any wonder the problems come to the surface so easily. So anything we can do to ease the burden if the Silly Season is welcome.
Having said that, I ‘lurrrve’ Christmas. I envied my patient this morning who is going back to the UK for the first time in 40+ years for a real Christmas time, snow and all. I’ve been in Australia 42 years and I still can’t get used to a warm December! So in 1972, before anyone I knew did it, I had a very memorable July Christmas feast. I was later asked if the Irish really held Christmas in July?!
Back to the menu… Getting the taste right is essential of course. But Nigella Lawson has a gift for making her recipes come together so easily. And the look of deep red with green garnish works well. Especially if I have to do the cooking myself, as it appears might be the case again this year.
Of course fashions change. The obligatory silver-crystal-roses outfit for the Christmas table is now a bit passé and is largely replaced by the BBQ ‘d seafood and colourful fripperies that come to no harm outdoors. Mind you, they all need to be replaced next year whereas the silver-crystal-roses outfit lasted for decades.
What makes a good Christmas? Surprises? Good food? Drinks? Friends and family? (Well, some family anyway) I know you may think I will go for the once a year visit to your favourite religious institution but no. The thing that makes each Christmas worth having is the few moments we take to appreciate what and who we have around us, warts an’ all.
It is a bit trite to advocate an Attitude of Gratitude, but being glad for the good things and dwelling on them attracts more good things to us than dwelling on the bad things. If we keep harping on and on about our misfortunes, they multiply!
So this Christmas, take time to reduce the stress, reduce the burden of presents and cooking and try a little genuine love for the (scintilla of?) good in those around us. Remember those who irritate you the most have the most to teach you in the end.
Be well, love each other and take time out on the day to be grateful.
Oh and by the way, find out what other religions do during the year and help them celebrate too. Much better than cancelling Christmas in case it offends those of Other Persuasions!
Blessings
Maura
