Christmas Dinner
For the first time ever, I did Christmas dinner. It meant if I spoilt the food, the day would be ruined! That may be a little dramatic but the point is made. How did it all start? A week ago, I asked my aunt (the matriarch) what we'll be doing for Christmas. Her response - she's not cooking...at least not until Boxing Day when we do the (now traditional) family dinner. It therefore left a very obvious gap in a very important part of Christmas. Being the person I am (not a chef but the type to want problems resolved) I volunteered. This was an agonising decision! OK...a little dramatic, but I was nervous. I had never done the entire dinner before (or rather main part of the meal). I, more importantly, don't cook on a regular basis. I find it something I enjoy on occasions when I feel the mood. And I like the non-typical foods. Nonetheless, I spoke with my cousin, went to the supermarket, and the plan was hatched. In the final analysis, the menu was: baked chicken,...