THE FOODS FOR CHRISTMAS

Christmas Tree Cranberry Bread

Early mornings, late nights, cuts on my finger, burns on my arm, back aching and feet swollen from standing long hours, hair frizzle in the heat; smelling sweaty and hot, yet I am lovin' it!

In case you are wondering why the silence, I was on leave preparing for the pre-Christmas party  which was held on the 23/12/2012.

When Jeremy told me that he is coming home with his girlfriend Eunice for Christmas, I straightaway started planning for a Christmas party and besides my youngest brother (the Bunn's family) were also back from Melbourne for holiday too! This would be a prefect opportunity to gather the family together  to meet her and to welcome her to our BIG family. A Big Warm welcome from the Chan Clan, we are happy to meet you Eunice.  After all that's what Christmas is about- family togetherness and love; fun and laughter; joy and forgiveness!

It has been a long time since -was it 2 or 3 years since the last Christmas party? Time to plan my Christmas menu and I wanted to include the family favourites as well as introduce new food.  

Besides taking over 3 days to finish my cooking(yes it was that long for me),  I had enlisted the help of my sisters to cook their own speciality!  The table was laden with food- a potpourri of East meets West. 

Starting off is the main staple, Fried meehoon cooked my sister Jennifer. She also cooked her special Hakka Abacus.  These are yam dough shaped into abacus coin and fry with minced meat and mushroom. Very yummy and addictive.

Hakka Marbles 

The evergreen Chicken Curry cooked by eldest sister 

Braised Duck with Ginger in Fermented Bean Sauce- by sister Yoke.

Scotch Eggs by sister Yoke  

   Prawns and sotong sambal - Yoke

Chilled Chicken roll seeped in brandy and 

served with pickled carrots and cucumber ribbons
this was done 3 days ahead by me.

Roast Chicken with lemon and sage served with cherry tomatoes 

and roasted potatoes. 

Roasted Pork Loin wrapped with bacon 
and stuffed with cranberry and apple sauce 

(recipe will follow later)

Roasted Pumpkin and beetroot 

Caramelised onion and porcini/shitake mushroom quiche
(too much handling, hence  the pie crust was broken in some places)

Salmon and Spinach Quiche 

I even baked some baguette for the
Tomato Bruschetta which was a hit!

The side dishes included: a coleslaw with red and green apples and celery dressed with yogurt and a potato salad with sour cream and chopped chives and dill.  The Pork Loin was served with the remaining cranberries and apples cooked to a sauce and a mustard sauce as well.

The dessert table included the Christmas Tree bread above as well as these cakes below:-

Steamed Chocolate Cake with Salted Caramel mousse and topping


Chilled Oreo Cheesecake


Last but not least Tiramisu Crepe Cake

There were gummy jellies done by my sister-in-law Evon and the girls, while Sarah made a cocktail of Gingerbeer, orange juice and cream soda drink.

I am very happy to see everyone tucking heartily and going for seconds as well- it was worth all the pains and aches!  

Nothing can beat wholesome food, homecook with love and joy!

Coming on next, after the food....... Santa is coming......