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.