Christmas, Its all about The Family, The Food, The Wine and The Presents

This year the Family have rented some chalets in Matakana Riverside Lodge. Its fabulous here.
Perfect for our mob. Fun to wake up with the little children opening these presents.
We arrived on Christmas Eve, there was time to put out the food for Santa and his Reindeer

 Next was the erection of the beautiful wigwam

 Santa made it thank Goodness, He ate some of his cookie, the reindeer had a nibble at the carrot.
Santa, obviously had had too many beers...he was only able to down a few sips.

The day started off well, Santa presents first

 Don't you love the delight on their faces

 Fab

Katie with a Larry David moment. Trying to open the packaging the new dolls are wrapped in. How do they do it?

You need a Stanley Knife...but what does a Stanley Knife come in BUT a bloody bubble pack.
Anyhow let's not ruin the day.
The Grandfather in his happy place

Over to see the other presents
Ms Sophia got a new laptop from Santa and a stunning, elegant Santa Suit from her younger brother.

He got assorted goodies plus a scooter from Santa

The great thing about Santa's visit is there are loads of wonderful things to play with
Even though he obviously left things off Ms Cleo's list which she found very annoying!!!

Some preening by the live in hairdresser

The plan was 9am Breakfast,
11am Champagne, Oysters and Family presents
Guests arrive at 1pm
Lunch around 2pm
SO
First the boys had to play tennis

Slight delay,
The we had to heat the croissants, lay out the cheese and other bits and bobs
Cook the bacon, Joseph set the table

And before long, the starving throng were hovering around the table

So time was slipping away and next thing we are having to postpone the elevenses, till twelveses
Food to prepare, showers and dress ups to happen
Action Girl!

Whoops, corks were popping again and oysters laid out

Hooray, Santa Jojo was preparing to hand out the Family presents.

 The usual carnage

 Cheers...Merry Christmas everyone

Still got a whole day to go.

Best Pizza - First Course and Dessert Pizza - A Big Hit

It was Thursday at Grandmas, and I made Pizza for the kids. I had some tomato sauce leftover from the catering gig.
The following are a perfect topping for kids,

Tomato Sauce
Finely chopped bacon
Finely chopped red onion
Chopped pineapple
Chopped capsicum
Grated Cheese
And at one end I threw on some sliced mushrooms for Dale and Me.
My Pizza Dough is very simple
Click here for the recipe
Don't buy the bases just make it. Cheap as chips
All you need is time.

Then I decided to make a Dessert Pizza
I peeled, cored and sliced 2 apples
Threw them into a dish with some sugar
few knobs of butter and the juice of an orange
I roasted them till tender but still holding their shape

Rolled out the dough and covered it with yogurt
Arranged the apples on the top
Sprinkle over some brown sugar
Bake about 15 minutes

Let cool a little before cutting
Serve with whipped cream
Its wonderful... Summer is here
We were able to eat outside
The kids loved it

Always inventive with the cushions
An obstacle course for Ms Cleo

Hockey World Champs-Feeding the Crew

Ho Ho Ho, Christmas is here
My Friend Mary Will tarted up my candelabra
I just love the white reindeer
I bought them from one of my favourite sites
Father Rabbit

  I brought out my other lovely Christmas things. Really feel in the spirit now.

I've had a fun week, New Zealand is hosting the Hockey World Championship here in North Shore. Auckland.  Here are some teams warming up

The Outside Broadcasting Team are filming it for The World.

Organised by our Juice TV.  I was asked to provide Lunch and afternnon tea for 7 days.
20 people.They are a hungry lot.
It has been a fun project. A lot of cakes, scones, cookies, pizza, filled rolls, wraps.
Kept me pretty busy. It has been fun.
Today they got Tortilla. I bought some great little containers, which were great for the Tortilla. Individually served with a nice relish on the side.

I also made an Apple and Raisin Cake and some White Chocolate and Craisin Cookies

Here is the recipe for the cake. Given to me by my friend Mary
Mary’s Apple Cake
2 apples, peeled and chopped in small pieces
1 cup sugar
125g melted butter
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups flour
1teaspoon baking soda
1teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon each of salt, nutmeg, allspice
1 cup raisins
1/2-3/4 cup walnuts (Optional)

Icing sugar

Pre heat Oven to 180C
Prepare tin. Grease and flour
I like to line the bottom with baking paper

Combine apples and sugar,
Stand for 5 mins.
Combine cooled melted butter and egg with apples.
Sift dry ingredients and stir until just mixed.
Add raisins and 1/2 cup walnuts.(if using them)
Spread mixture into 23cm, greased tin.

Put remaining walnuts on top if using.
Bake for 45- 50 mins.
I find it takes a bit longer.
Leave in tin for 10 mins, before turning out

Dust with icing sugar.

 For the Cookies... click here for the recipe.

I bought half baked Paneton Rolls
These are brilliant.
Paneton is a French Bakery here in Auckland.
They make great baguettes and these wonderful Ficelle Rolls
Just op into a 180C oven for 8-10 minutes
Voila...Fresh Bread

So Mise en Place
Filled Rolls
Chicken, Avocado, lettuce, Citrus Mayo
Ham, Cheese and Spinach salad
And some Corn Muffins, basket of fresh fruit

Wraps are great
Spinach, Carrot salad and chicken
Spread the wrap with Mayo
Toss the spinach in a little French dressing

Make an easy carrot salad
Top with moist chicken

As an alternative
Lettuce, Egg salad, and Cucumber

Another day of Filled Rolls
How about the old favourite?
Corned Beef, Cabbage and Carrot
I cooked a piece of Topside Corned Beef
and the cabbage was Cole slaw, of course.
A salad with a little difference.
I mixed the Mayo Dressing with some Onion Marmalade, plus a little whipped cream to lighten it up.
Delicious

Gave an great extra flavour to the rolls. Made some chicken ones for the non meat eaters

Also, some cut up pineapple,(for health)... Chocolate Chip Cookies and for afternoon tea
Sausage Rolls. Well the sausage rolls went almost straight away. Nothing like a warm sausage roll, dipped in my special Ketchup.

Monday was supposed to be a lay day. but because of inclement weather, the games were postponed on Sunday. So the crew had to start early so I sent over some hot cheese scones.
These are wonderful, full of cheese and butter...no good for those of us, who could be dieting. I don't think the crew will care.

I will do another post with the recipe later.
Two more days to go. Great fun.

You say Frittata, I Say Tortilla- Depends on the Country-Our time in Spain

I am still trialing dishes for the Juice TV Crew lunches next week.
Mainly I need timing. My delivery time is before 11 am, so I need to know how much I have to do the day before and how much on the morning.
This Frittata is a very simple dish. A stable in Spain, part of the Tapas Menu as well.
When we were in Spain in the 60's, we stayed at a wonderful Camping Ground, called Vilasar De Mar.
Just outside of Barcelona.

The owners of the property, Damian and Isabella, plus his brother Jose and wife Maria adopted us.
This put our original plan, to drive through to Torremolinis and onto Morroco aside.
We had such a good time, we spent 2 weeks in their camping ground.
It was the end of the holiday season, so they devoted their time to making sure we saw everyting we could in Barcelona and the Environs.
They took us of course, to bullfights

They introduced us to Gerhard and Adele, a German couple, who ran a water ski school.
They taught us to water ski. Even I got up first time. A miracle.

I think I spy a cigarette in my hand.
Gerhard also took us to a big football game in Barcelona... which was very exciting, as he was an even more aggressive driver than Dale, and that's saying something. It was scary.
Isabella, also showed me, how to make the Spanish Omelet or Tortilla.
In New Zealand at that time, Spanish omelet was a bit like that Russian salad, with peas, potatoes and carrots.
The Spanish only add potatoes and fried potatoes at that.
Couldn't wait to tell My Mother that she had it wrong. (Bit of youthful arrogance perhaps)
God, it was wonderful.
They also invited us to dine with them.

Which was a nice change from eating in the tent.

How about those shorts?
So, onto the Spanish Omelet
I have added some onion and parsley.
And just for a little extra flavour, I grated some Parmesan on the top.
I like that.
This will feed 6 people for lunch, with some french bread and a little relish on the side.

Olive oil
2 large potatoes, peeled, chopped into chunks
1 large onon peeled and cut into chunks
8 eggs
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Some chopped parsley
Grated Parmesan Cheese

You need a pan which can go into the oven
The omelet starts off on the stove, then you pop it under your Grill/Broiler to finish off

Toss the potatoes in olive oil S & P
Into 175C oven roast till tender and golden about 20 minutes
Remove and place in a bowl
In you pan lightly saute the onions in olive oil till tender, don't brown them
Add to potatoes.
You can do all of this ahead of time.
Which is great, if you have to make a few of these.

Hey look at these eggs. A carton of double yolkers!

Pre heat your Grill/Broiler
Break eggs into a bowl
Season with S & P
Whisk well
Add cooked potatoes. onions and parsley
Heat your oven proof pan on the stove top
Add a good slurp olive oil
Throw in egg mix
Grated Parmesan Cheese over the top
Let sit and and cook till the omelet starts to set
About 4 minutes

When you can lift it up with your spatula and it has started to brown
Pop under the grill.
It will take about 5 minutes and it will rise and look wonderful

Remove onto a board or plate

Cut into slices and enjoy