THE SCENE
As I made the trek 'home' (Mum and Dads house will always be home) for Christmas, I was apprehensive as to what I would arrive too. A few weeks prior I had told my Mum and Godmother to make Christmas low-key this year as it had been a big past few months and I didn't want them to have the added stress of decorating home's to rival the 'Griswalds' and putting on a huge Christmas feast with all the trimmings.
When I arrived I was pleasantly surprised to find that while my Mum and Dads house wasn't decorated with the 'over the top' lights, huge decorated tree, and Christmas themed ornaments on every table, door and shelf, their beautiful Southern Highlands home had subtle elements of Christmas hidden around the place for me to find.
As for the 'Christmas Tree', there were two mini trees placed on top of a low lying cabinet, where she had placed both Mine and My Brothers presents overflowing from the drawers. One of the trees, was made of small wooden planks and had (some our favourite) decorations from across the world, hanging from it! The other was a small traditional pine tree, that was being used to hold an experimentation of new decorations from the 'turquoise and silver' theme, to be the potential theme for next year!
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” — Leonardo da Vinci
THE MENU
Some of the Popular Recipes from the Menu
Roasted Pumpkin, Panchetta and Rocket Salad
What you need
1 butternut pumpkin, unpeeled
5 tbspn extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp fresh thyme- leaves only
1 small dried chilli, crushed
sea salt and cracked pepper
16 slices flat pancetta
1 tbsp honey
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
4 handfuls rocket or other salad leaves
shaved parmesan, to serve
What to do
Preheat oven to 180degC
Remove ends of pumpkin, cut in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Cut into quarters lengthwise
Spray a baking tray with oil spray and lay pumpkin pieces side by side. Drizzle oil over teh top, sprinkle thyme and chilli and seasoning. Bake 10 mins
Remove from oven and lay pancetta on top of pumpkin. Continue to bake for 2-5 mins or until pancetta is crispy and pumpkin is soft Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly
Meanwhile, place honey, vinegar and oil in a small bowl and whisk to combine
Divide warm pumpkin and pancetta between plates, then pour a little dressing over rocket and scatter leaves over pumpkin
Top with parmesan and remainder of dressing
Serve immediately
Berry Christmas Punch
What you need
1.5 liters cranberry juice, well chilled
375ml sparkling wine, well chilled
125ml lemonade
2 limes, quartered
250g strawberries, washed, halved
150g blueberries
120g raspberries
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
Ice cubes to serve
What to do
Pour the cranberry juice, sparkling wine and lemonade into a punch bowl or jug. Use your hands to squeeze some of the juice from the limes into the punch. Stir to combine. Add the squeezed limes to the punch. Add the strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, mint leaves and ice cubes.
THE SOUNDTRACK
When we finally sat down as a family to share the amazing menu of food, softly in the background played all the classics!
Christmas With Bing Crosby / Nat "King" Cole / Dean Martin
1. I Wish You a Merry Christmas- Bing Crosby
2. O Holy Night- Nat King Cole
3. White Christmas- Dean Martin
4. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (Medley)- Bing Crosby
5. Joy To The World- Nat King Cole
6. Winter Wonderland- Dean Martin
7. What Child Is This?/The Holly And The Ivy (Medley)- Bing Crosby
8. Caroling, Caroling- Nat King Cole
9. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (1989 - Remaster)- Dean Martin
10. Pat-A-Pan/While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night (Medley)- Bing Crosby
THE ENTERTAINMENT
Christmas is never truly Christmas unless you spend time as a family and watch some of the classic (or almost classic) movies to get you into the holiday spirit.
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
Jingle All The Way
Home Alone 2: Lost in NYC
Last Holiday
Four Holidays
You've Got Mail
Serendipity
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
This Christmas
Christmas Night is spent letting our stomachs rest, sorting through all the gifts, and watching these two...
THE TRADITION
Christmas Eve: Put on your PJs, read "The Night Before Christmas," place a pile of freshly baked cookies on a plate by the tree, along with a glass of cold milk, and then head to bed to count sheep for what feels like forever. Wake up to crumbs, a letter from Santa, and a mountain of shiny presents.
Wishing you a Safe and Merry Christmas...(showing off my styling for the day!)
As I made the trek 'home' (Mum and Dads house will always be home) for Christmas, I was apprehensive as to what I would arrive too. A few weeks prior I had told my Mum and Godmother to make Christmas low-key this year as it had been a big past few months and I didn't want them to have the added stress of decorating home's to rival the 'Griswalds' and putting on a huge Christmas feast with all the trimmings.
When I arrived I was pleasantly surprised to find that while my Mum and Dads house wasn't decorated with the 'over the top' lights, huge decorated tree, and Christmas themed ornaments on every table, door and shelf, their beautiful Southern Highlands home had subtle elements of Christmas hidden around the place for me to find.
As for the 'Christmas Tree', there were two mini trees placed on top of a low lying cabinet, where she had placed both Mine and My Brothers presents overflowing from the drawers. One of the trees, was made of small wooden planks and had (some our favourite) decorations from across the world, hanging from it! The other was a small traditional pine tree, that was being used to hold an experimentation of new decorations from the 'turquoise and silver' theme, to be the potential theme for next year!
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” — Leonardo da Vinci
THE MENU
Assortment of Nibbles: Cheese, Crackers, Grapes, Soy Crisps, Chocolate Fudge, Rum Balls, Cheese Sticks, Salmon Dip, Sundried Tomato's and Fetta
Thai Noodle Salad
Tabbouleh
Beetroot, Apple and Dukkah Salad
Roasted Pumpkin, Panchetta and Rocket Salad
Pearl Couscous Salad
Garlic, Soy Beans and Asparagus
Oven Roasted Vegetables
Assortment of Hot and Cold Meats: Ham, Chicken, Pork, Lamb
Fruit Pavlova
Lemon Tart
Berry Christmas Punch
Some of the Popular Recipes from the Menu
Roasted Pumpkin, Panchetta and Rocket Salad
What you need
1 butternut pumpkin, unpeeled
5 tbspn extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp fresh thyme- leaves only
1 small dried chilli, crushed
sea salt and cracked pepper
16 slices flat pancetta
1 tbsp honey
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
4 handfuls rocket or other salad leaves
shaved parmesan, to serve
What to do
Preheat oven to 180degC
Remove ends of pumpkin, cut in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Cut into quarters lengthwise
Spray a baking tray with oil spray and lay pumpkin pieces side by side. Drizzle oil over teh top, sprinkle thyme and chilli and seasoning. Bake 10 mins
Remove from oven and lay pancetta on top of pumpkin. Continue to bake for 2-5 mins or until pancetta is crispy and pumpkin is soft Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly
Meanwhile, place honey, vinegar and oil in a small bowl and whisk to combine
Divide warm pumpkin and pancetta between plates, then pour a little dressing over rocket and scatter leaves over pumpkin
Top with parmesan and remainder of dressing
Serve immediately
Berry Christmas Punch
What you need
1.5 liters cranberry juice, well chilled
375ml sparkling wine, well chilled
125ml lemonade
2 limes, quartered
250g strawberries, washed, halved
150g blueberries
120g raspberries
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
Ice cubes to serve
What to do
Pour the cranberry juice, sparkling wine and lemonade into a punch bowl or jug. Use your hands to squeeze some of the juice from the limes into the punch. Stir to combine. Add the squeezed limes to the punch. Add the strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, mint leaves and ice cubes.
THE SOUNDTRACK
When we finally sat down as a family to share the amazing menu of food, softly in the background played all the classics!
Christmas With Bing Crosby / Nat "King" Cole / Dean Martin
1. I Wish You a Merry Christmas- Bing Crosby
2. O Holy Night- Nat King Cole
3. White Christmas- Dean Martin
4. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (Medley)- Bing Crosby
5. Joy To The World- Nat King Cole
6. Winter Wonderland- Dean Martin
7. What Child Is This?/The Holly And The Ivy (Medley)- Bing Crosby
8. Caroling, Caroling- Nat King Cole
9. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (1989 - Remaster)- Dean Martin
10. Pat-A-Pan/While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night (Medley)- Bing Crosby
THE ENTERTAINMENT
Christmas is never truly Christmas unless you spend time as a family and watch some of the classic (or almost classic) movies to get you into the holiday spirit.
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
Jingle All The Way
Home Alone 2: Lost in NYC
Last Holiday
Four Holidays
You've Got Mail
Serendipity
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
This Christmas
Christmas Night is spent letting our stomachs rest, sorting through all the gifts, and watching these two...
THE TRADITION
Christmas Eve: Put on your PJs, read "The Night Before Christmas," place a pile of freshly baked cookies on a plate by the tree, along with a glass of cold milk, and then head to bed to count sheep for what feels like forever. Wake up to crumbs, a letter from Santa, and a mountain of shiny presents.
Wishing you a Safe and Merry Christmas...(showing off my styling for the day!)
