Auntie's Christmas dinner email! 2011

Thought I would share one of my darling Auntie's yearly 'Christmas dinner' emails... This year catering for 15 with 3 joining us later for tea. Previous years have seen numbers up rise to 22/25, but this year 4 are in Dublin and 4 are entertaining their relatives coming from Spain, and 2 others we are not sure what they are up to. Also, not sure if our ancient hostess trolley is still up to scratch.... going since 1985 and it's now on it's last legs. I must post pictures of Christmas past...1970's with all of us wearing lurid coloured paper-hats!


2011 Christmas Menu
Lunch Main
Mel & Paul: Turkey (& turkey meat juices to add to gravy)
Prunes in bacon
Brussels sprouts
(hostess trolley)

Lara & Jeremy: Gluten free sausages
Roast Parsnips, Roast potatoes, Mashed potatoes,
Peas, Green beans, Sweet Corn

Michael & Heather: Mashed Swede
Fruit salad (for lunch and evening)
Crackers (to pull)

Lynda & Nigel Bread sauce Cranberry Sauce Gravy

Judy and Brian Chipolata Sausages, Mini Sausages Chestnut stuffing,
Yorkshire puddings (if large freezer in working order)

Lunch Pudding
Lara & Jeremy Cream, Custard, Brandy butter

Judy & Brian Christmas puddings (traditional plus chocolate and gluten free option)
Jelly, Ice Cream, Cornets
Drinks

Lara and Jeremy Wine, Soft drinks, Fizzy Water

Lynda and Nigel Beer
Judy and Brian Tea, Coffee, Milk, Elderflower cordial, Cranberry Juice, Iced water


Afternoon Tea/Supper and Snacks
Mel & Paul Roast ham,

Lara & Jeremy Small amount Smoked salmon/lemons & very very few bagels
gluten free loaf Crisps (incl gluten free option)
Olives; Dips; Crudites
Cheese; Crackers Green salad

Lynda & Nigel Potato Salad

Lara & Jeremy Satsumas, Option Christmas cake

Michael & Heather (left over) Fruit Salad

Judy and Brian Traditional Christmas cake (inc gluten free option)
Mince pies (inc gluten free option)

Lynda & Nigel Trifle

NB It would be much appreciated if contributions were brought in ready to serve/heat containers with serving cutlery but, where appropriate, already as hot as possible.
Please could we all, including myself and Brian – but Lynda are you paying attention? -
at long last realise we always over cater quantities. This year especially as you will see from above we are fewer in number. 15 at lunchtime with Lucy, Marc and Pearl joining us later.
It would be even more appreciated if – while done as an act of kindness and with good
Intent – nobody attempted to wash up. Lara and Jeremy kindly supply all tableware for lunch and our arrangement is that it goes from table to crate and returned to Lisburne
Road’s washing up machine. Otherwise, without wishing to be churlish and ungrateful, it just
gets muddled with that belonging here.