People look forward to Christmas for many reasons, but when I am completely honest, I dream of a traditional British Christmas dinner. Britain is definitely deeply steeped in tradition and one of the most popular is a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.
Turkey is probably one of the most popular dishes at Christmas because it is usually the main course! Other popular dishes include ham or roast beef, but in the UK, turkey is definitely the main course of choice.
Roast tatties or potatoes, there is nothing like a tray of properly roasted potatoes! These are often cut into small squares, and put into the oven with goose fat or olive oil, along with herbs such as parsley and thyme, and salt and pepper. Once the edges are browned, the potatoes are good to go!
Stuffing is another trimming. The most popular type at Christmas dinner is with sage and onion. The stuffing can be served inside the turkey or as a side dish.
Yorkshire Puddings are an absolute must that you serve with the Turkey or preferred joint of meat. They are made from a batter that includes eggs, milk, and flour. It’s usually eaten with the roast turkey although Yorkshire Puddings are traditionally served with roast beef, many families choose to serve them alongside their Christmas dinner.
Gravy is actually a type of sauce that comes from the drippings of the turkey when it is cooked. Then the drippings are mixed with wheat flour to make it thicker, as well as salt and pepper, and finally poured over the slices of turkey and stuffing. A drop of red wine really intensifies the flavour.
Brussell Sprouts, love them or hate them!
This polarizing vegetable is a key part of a traditional British Christmas dinner. Even though many people dislike brussel sprouts (they can have a slightly bitter taste) they can always be found on the table at Christmas! They are normally served chestnuts or fried up with bacon- yummy!
Christmas pudding is a dessert that is made from dried fruit and is normally served with brandy butter. It is also tradition to soak the cake with brandy and set it alight before serving. A Christmas pudding made with figs is referred to as "figgy pudding." Although people may serve a number of different desserts at Christmas, Christmas pudding is the most traditional.
My favourite of all the trimmings are Mince pies. They are tiny pies that are filled with fruits such as raisins, cranberries, and sultanas, as well as chopped nuts and spices such as cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg. Once they are baked, they are dusted with a little icing sugar and ready to eat – perfect with a cup of tea or a glass of wine, and a nice finish to a delicious Christmas dinner!
Merry Christmas to all of you and we hope that Santa is good to you this year!