Christmas Veg & traditional baking/treats

These days I'm fairly traditional with Xmas dinner veg. Plain brussels, broc  & carrots. Roast potatoes and honeyed Parsnips. In past younger years I used to experiment,  I had more enthusiasm in those days.  I'm not keen on chestnuts with anything let alone brussels . I'm going to try a recipe for roasted brussels in a balsamic and honey glaze but perhaps before Xmas day. At 8p a packet, there's nothing to lose. Vichy carrots were nice as was cabbage and bacon, but there's only so much two can eat.

As for traditions in baking, there's mince pies to my mum's recipe; orange pastry, with a dollop of cream cheese on top of the mincemeat, under the top crust. Homemade sausage rolls, cheese sablés and Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without smoked salmon or gravadlax open sandwiches and asparagus rolls for tea. You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to get tinned green asparagus tips. They're very 60's and so out of fashion these days.

What if any traditions do you follow every Christmas.  All except Veggie who probably does a ritual rummage in the freezer.

If I have my fully functioning garden. There would be a mountain of homes grown veg for Christmas dinner. I think my record is 9 different veg. But the must for me is spouts. Like you JJB, not messed about with, and definitely not cooked for so long as they turn yellow & mushy! Also red cabbage in a sticky red currant & red wine sauce. Leeks in a cream & whole grain mustard sauce. Roast potatoes and stuffing (if it’s turkey or goose).

Unfortunately no tradition in Christmas baking. I always forget to late, I do want to make my own mince meat for homemade mince pies one day. It’s on the list of stuff I want to do in my home.

Other traditions I have to watch a muppets Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve with a couple of mince pies and a glass of Sherry or mulled wine. Not done that for a couple of years because they stopped putting the movie on free tv channels. But this year I’ve treated myself and bought it. So the tradition is back on .

The only traditional thing that I do is visit the shops on Christmas Eve for bargains!
On the day I usually have beans on toast with cheese on top for lunch and something I bought cheap the day before in the evening.
I'll ring my brother and apologise for not going to see him and all his family (he understands and doesn't expect me to be there but he always invites me).
Otherwise, its just like any other day. If its dry I'll be in the garden, if its wet, I won't but I will be getting ready to sow some seeds - like early tomatoes.

The major supermarkets are each trying to outdo each other for cheap veg. Aldiis are 8p.and Morries and Tesco are 10p & 12p! It's laughable really!

We are having a Christmas get together at my daughters in London so I'll be eating what I am given. We are taking some soup with us that will do for one meal with olive bread may be. And it's time now to sow onions, I'll be sowing Bedford Champion and Sturon which are both good keepers and grow to a good size.