Cooking for Xmas

We don't celebrate christmas per say, but what we do is have a massive cook out and just stuff ourselves silly. It's hard not to be jolly at this time of the year especially when you're in overseas. The sparkling decorations, the merry carols and of course, the amazing christmas cooking program on telly! Last year, we (nisa and myself) roasted a huge halal turkey. It was a success, if I could say so myself. After watching Jamie's Christmas three times in a row, you seriously can't go wrong. That was how obsessed I was in getting it right.

So, this year, I'm trying to get out of this turkey business. Firstly, turkey meat is a bit drier than any other poultry. Secondly, it's seriously huge and since we're not expecting alot of people this year, it's just us and my cousins so, a smaller bird would be sufficient enough for the 5 of us. Third, Adli and I are kinda bored with the turkey meat, plus the leftovers will be too much and it will be a waste. And finally, I want to try cooking a different bird this year! I've been going through this xmas menu in my head over and over again, but I somehow have settled on this.
1.Duck- it will be my first time cooking it. I still can't decide whether to roast it the traditional way with xmas spices or make it into something like a stew like Rick Stein's Vietnamese Duck Stew.
2.Chicken- I still find that we need some kind of white meat on the table. The sight of carved breast meat somehow is always, always appealing. So, instead of roasting turkey, I'll be roasting chicken and I know this will be a hit with everyone. Roast Chicken- you can never go wrong with it!

3. Stuffings- I have never been a fan of stuffings and that's why I have never actually made one. But, after having some of my friend's stuffings of apples and mince meat, I might have changed my mind about this stuffing business. So, I'm going to give it a shot with stuffings made with chestnuts, apples and... (still deciding) The only thing is, I'm not sure where it should go into, the duck, if I do decide to roast them, or the chicken. Chicken don't have thick skin like a turkeys so I'm not sure if it holds. Maybe I'll just do the stuffing the Jamie way, i.e. roast in a dish pan.

4. Trimmings- Roast potatoes is anmust, roast carrots, yokshire pudding, brussels sprouts and a new addition to the trimmings family- Sweet Potato and Marshmallow. I first heard this from the tv show, Chuck. Then, Shasa (another fan of Chuck) has also made this dish before, though she has it as dessert. So, I will let you know how it goes with mine. And of course, Gravy, Gravy and Gravy!!

5. Dessert- Apple Crumble. After watching Hugh's River Cottage last night, I can't help salivating on his Apple Crumble with a Crunch. The crumble has an extra crunch of oats and ground almonds. Since I already have apples in the kitchen, I might just make this (if I have time, that is.)

I should really start preparing today, the day before the big lunch. But, with Haris in the house, there's nothing much can be done. Well, at least the gravy can be made earlier, and the crumble and the marinating and stuffing. Ok... that sounds like almost everything. Have to wait till tonight when Adli is back to look after Haris so I can get busy in the kitchen! Can't wait!



Till then...