[HPforGrownups] Christmas Dinner in England

[Michelle Apostolides]

No: HPFGUIDX 7045

Hi Ebony.

Good to see you again.

> Calling all British HP4GU regulars and others:
Waves nasty little red passport in the air.

> I need help!
At your service.

> Loads of questions:
>
> 1)  Web research reveals several Brits mentioning turkey and
> cranberry sauce as a holiday tradition.  am I mistaken?
> We have it too - more's the pity. Goose or Duck is now seen as an
alternative.

> 2)  Shouldn't another meat choice be offered?  In America, the usual
> thing is to have turkey on Thankgiving and ham on Christmas.
Yes, Ham is served too.
>
> 3)  Everything seems to contain alcohol.  What do the children
> drink?  (BTW, how can you *not* have egg nog?  Or mulled cider?)  Do
> they have to drink everyday pumpkin juice?  Or can they have
> something special... perhaps "sparkling" pumpkin juice?
> Some people do have egg nog. Or mulled wine. And don't forget the
booze in the Chritmas Pud.

> 4)  Do Brits abhor fruitcake as much as your average American?
I do. But most people have one, whether everyone eats it or not. My Mum
has made one and out of 6 of us, it's only her and Dad that eat it.

> 5)  Is there a bread served, or do the Christmas crackers serve this
> purpose?
No the Crackers are made of paper and contain little gifts and jokes
inside them.

> 6)  Please explain the Prawn Cocktail,
Cold cooked prawns coated in a sauce made of mayonnaise, tomato puree
and paprika, served with shredded lettuce.

 Christmas crackers
See above.

, and  Christmas pudding.  The description I have of Christmas crackers
> is "we pull the crackers and take turns reading the jokes and sharing
> the toys.  Throughout the meal you must wear your paper crown from
> the crackers."  This sounds very nice, but I'm still confused...
> right now the mental picture I get is of a cross between Cracker Jack
> and a Burger King kid's meal crown.  Help, please.
Whats a Cracker Jack ?


> I understand the Christmas pudding is filled with coins and charms,
> soaked in brandy and flamed.  Is this correct?  My experience with
> flaming food is sadly only flaming cheese--we have a large Greek
> community here.  Is the concept similar?
It's a steamed pudding made ( very basic knowledge of ingredients here -
only made iot once myself ) from currants, raisins, candied fuits,
treacle ( like molasses ), sugar, suet and sugar. Plus booze. It's nice
but stodgy.


>
> 7)  Is this a plausible Christmas dinner?  More specifically, is it
> plausible for a grown-up Weasley clan?

> When would it be properly served?  Christmas Eve?  Christmas
> afternoon?  Christmas evening?  Boxing Day?
Christmas Day afternoon.

> Also, I'm thinking some of the sisters-in-law, such as Hermione and
> Angelina, could help Molly out by bringing covered dishes.  Is there
> a such thing as potluck, or is this considered rude?
No. As veg, we have Roast asnd Mashed Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts ( I'm
about the only person in our family who likes them, Parsnips ( roast or
boiled ), carrots, etc etc

> 9)  In general, American tables *groan* on holidays.  I've heard that
> people are a bit more restrained overseas.
Entree = starter ? Just one with a veggie option.

Side dishes = veg ? As many as you want !

> Thanks in advance for your help... I have several American beta-
> readers (thanks Penny, Heidi, and Carole!) but it might also be nice
> to have one of our British members give the chapter a final glance-
> through.  Prevention is the best medicine for "we don't do/say that
> in England" reviews.  :)

Bung it over here if you like !!

Michelle