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, callaloo quiche (with a crust made from mainly breadfruit flour), quinoa with raisins and roasted snapper. I also wanted an appetizer - I settled for cream of pumpkin soup.

I started the preparation from the night before - cutting the potatoes, seasoning the meat, cutting up the callaloo and cooking it, and preparing the soup. That took a few hours. I thought to myself - it should be easy enough to cook the meal given all that prep. And I am now admitting, my thought was off! The late ending of church on Christmas morning didn't help. I ended it all about an hour after the time I had anticipated.

In the end, I think it all came off well. I wouldn't expect to win a prize for my culinary skills, but I actually enjoyed the meal and I think others did too. I also made an observation that this is just a taste of what to expect if I have my own family. Could it also be a Christmas miracle?

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