Christmas without a doubt has to be my favourite time of year; opening presents around a roaring fire, laughter and cheer all around and most of all being with my family (I have to say that as it really does sound terrible if I say the best thing about Christmas are the presents!) It's probably the only time of year when I transform into a hyperactive child filled with breathless excitement at what Santa might be bringing....( like I said, probably the only time of year).
Perhaps it's because I'm from Northumberland, but I just love the cold crisp weather, getting wrapped up for a long walk on the beach with my dog and the smell of snow in the air (meanwhile my late Grandfather would be forced into full blown panic, buying at least 2 dozen bottles of anti-freeze just for the car).
Christmas Eve for me has always been on par with Christmas as my Father and I named it 'Daddy, Daughter Day'. It's the day when my Dad and I get up at the crack of dawn and collect the Christmas goodies; the Goose, vegetables, naughty food treats which Mum can never find out about, last minute presents and just generally have a wonderful day together.
However, this year is going to be my first year without this tradition and it is now my turn to become, what I hope to be - a responsible adult. The Christmas dinner has finally come to be my task. Worst of all, it's not even with my parents who would be wonderfully biased and praise whatever I cook. Instead it's with boyfriend's family whose expectations I have foolishly built up as the day of destiny always felt so far away - more than enough time to turn myself into a professional chef! Christmas is now in just a few days and I still have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do!
What doesn't help is that each and every one of my Christmases has been amazing - even when my dog was running around the house with the goose in her mouth (she was too distracted by her achievement to eat it) was still perfect. My parents are wonderful cooks and I can now appreciate that Christmas dinner is without a doubt, an art.
Now the dreaded event is looming ever closer, I have finally sat down and done a bit of research...
Apparently, it's the gravy that really makes the dinner. This is something I would usually dismiss as I always focus on the delicious bread sauce, exquisite truffle filled stuffing, Yorkshire puddings and then the wonderful sticky toffee pudding (I don't like Xmas pud!). However, luckily for me, I've stumbled across a great gravy recipe that works best with roast chicken which is perfect if, like me, you're on a tight budget this year.
This recipe serves 4 which is perfect as that's precisely the amount of people I'm cooking for..
Gravy Sauce (Serves 4)
2 Small Onions Quartered
1 Carrot Cut into Four Lengthways
2 Stalks Celery Roughly Chopped
5 Sprigs Fresh Thyme
1 heaped tbs plain flour
70ml Brandy
3 Sprigs Fresh Thyme
700ml Chicken Stock
Method;
This is a two stage recipe. Before roasting your chicken, place the quartered onion, carrot and celery in the tray long with the fresh thyme and cook as required. When the cooking time has elapsed, remove your chicken from the oven and allow time to rest for 20 minutes on a plate covered loosely in foil. Pour off some of the fat from the tray then add the flour, cook over a medium heat for 1-2 minutes, add your brandy and then reduce by half, pour in the stock, bring to the boil and cook until the gravy thickens. At this stage add any of the resting juices from the chicken. Season with salt and pepper then pass through a sieve before serving.