Our family pre-Christmas lunch went off without a hitch and the gammon and corned beef from Woolies were absolutely delicious. The grandchildren all loved their gifts and the weather stayed fine, so it was a wonderful day.
I had to tell a little white lie to the little ones though, and I told them I’d written a letter to Santa asking if he could please drop off their gifts from us, early. Our seven-year-old grandson asked lots of questions about how Santa got to our house and I had to think of answers quickly. There are no flies on children these days!
The shops are buzzing and full of festive season treats for all members of the family. If you are only about to start your Christmas gift buying now, don’t forget to make a list of who you have to buy for and any ideas next to their names. Also try and stick to within your budget. It really does make shopping easier and if you don’t overspend too much a least you’ll not be starting the New Year, broke.
Easy entertaining
Will you be having family and friends round for drinks and snacks over the festive season? Make it fuss free and relaxing. If you have the budget you can go to Pick n Pay, Checkers or Woolies and buy ready-made snacks. These can be quite expensive though so if your budget is tight here are a few ideas which won’t break the bank.
Buy four French bread loaves and cut into slices about 2cms thick. Brush one side with olive oil and bake in a hot oven (200c) for about five minutes, until crispy.
Cream cheese toppings
Mix 100g softened cream cheese with: four rashers of crisply fried streaky rindless bacon, finely chopped. Season to taste and add sun dried tomato pieces, or 50g pimiento-stuffed green olives, finely chopped, season to taste, spread on the bread slices and top with a stuffed olive.
Tuna topping
Drain a tin of tuna and flake with a fork (or use the shredded tuna). Fold lightly into 4 tablespoons soured cream and season well with salt and black pepper. Spread on the bread slices and top each with sliced gherkin.
Make two dips using mayonnaise and sour cream. Mix and add a teaspoon of hot English mustard to the one and to the other add a few drops of Tabasco sauce. These can be served with potato crisps or salted biscuits.
Sausage rolls
Make your own sausage rolls, it will work out cheaper. Buy a roll of ready-made puff pastry and defrost. Use 450g sausage meat (from your local butcher) and 1 beaten egg for glazing.
Preheat oven to 200c. Roll out pastry into a rectangle, about 5mm thick and 15cms wide. Divide the sausage meat in half and on a floured board, roll it into two thin sausage shapes. Place om each pastry strip, just right of the centre. Brush the pastry edges with beaten egg and fold the pastry over the sausage meat. Press pastry edges firmly together and knock up with the back of a knife like a pie edging. Cut the pastry rolls into equal 5cm lengths of larger if preferred. Place on a dampened baking tray and brush with the egg mixture. Cut two or three slits across tops of each roll for steam to escape.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until well risen and golden brown. Serve hot with mustard.
Put out a few bowls of salted nuts and make-up a cheese platter. Use four different cheeses and a few types of biscuits. Plain digestive biscuits go a treat with cheese. Decorate with green grapes.
I think most people in South Africa take what they’ll be drinking to parties. Don’t feel embarrassed asking them to do this. It is nice though if the guests have a welcome drink.
Rose cup (serves 8)
1 bottle of sparkling wine (dry)
6 tablespoons of Southern Comfort
300ml Tonic water
100g fresh strawberries, halved
1 orange, cut into pieces
Ice cubes
Put the ice cubes into a large chilled bowl or jug and pour in the remaining ingredients. Stir well and serve in tall cocktail glasses.
Enjoy the evening!
That’s it for this week. Shop till you drop!
Julie
