Christmas catering

BritMumInNZ

Friends of old will know I’m not the best in the kitchen. It took me many years to get over my fear of going near the cooker (okay, it’s not THAT bad!) and baking, well, I was never going to go there! The only experience I had of baking was in ‘Home Economics’ at school and I remember feeling so nervous, but feeling very proud at the end of it.

Since becoming a parent I’ve tried to put my cooking phobia to one side and give them an opportunity to get involved in the kitchen (but I’m rather like a duck on water – trying very hard to put on a calm, serene face for the children, whilst paddling like mad with internal waves of trepidation).

On Sunday, we were invited to a friend’s house for a BBQ – but this was no simple burgers and sausages. It was the Christmas dinner of my dreams (minus the turkey and cranberry sauce) cooked Kiwi style on the BBQ. A full roast lamb cooked on a charcoal BBQ accompanied by the most delicious spread of salads. I almost fell off my chair backwards when the word, ‘Dessert’ was uttered (“What! Pudding too!”). In my house we don’t have pudding – it’s a piece of fruit, yoghurt, ice-cream and that’s about it! I have occasionally cooked a fruit crumble, but that’s as far as it goes! Anyway… this is what was for dessert… all home made of course…


The girls had a wonderful time and delighted in the company of the other children – so much so that all the parents had a wonderfully relaxed time – what a treat! Our friend’s house is set overlooking Lyall Bay, with stunning views. The back garden is such a classically English ‘country garden’ with roses and flowers aplenty and a thriving vegetable path. What’s more, the BBQ was within staggering distance of our home! Girls finally fell asleep at 9.30pm and woke around 8.00am – just enough time to rush through the morning routine and out to school for the 9.00am bell! Thank goodness the loooong summer hols are only three week’s away!




And just to prove I can be adventurous in the kitchen… here’s a gingerbread house I made one Christmas (before I had children of my own) for a party we threw for friends (many of whom had children). Okay, I know it’s nothing amazing – but I gave it 100% effort!

Now, if I could just get several hours of complete quiet in the house I could get creative once more (I cannot cook and parent at the same time – I need 100% peace to get in the right frame of mind!). Lots of love! x

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4 thoughts on “Christmas catering”

  1. I love the photo of the children all sitting in the little chairs – like a group of old ladies at the seaside. Hooray, you’re a cook after my own heart. I’m very impressed by all these people who post fantastic recipes and keep meaning to try some of Pioneer Woman’s. I used to like doing special meals for friends but it doesn’t come naturally. I think it was after the realisation , when the boys were very small , that I would be responsible for 3 meals a day , each and every day for the next 15 years, that I gave up feeling guilty about giving the boys spaghetti hoops, wholemeal bread and cheese followed by fruit or yoghurt. It was easy, they ate it and now they are 6ft 4″, 6ft 2″ and 6ft 1″ so it can’t have done them any harm. Now during the holidays there are often 10 people waiting for 3 meals a day, there would be offers of help but I still felt that my ‘holiday’ was spent chained to the kitchen. Last summer I allocated whole meals (and washing up)to pairs of youngsters and that was better. I’m a bit concerned that this Christmas I will only have one day before (some) of our guests leave and I start back at work full-time with my new class. I keep saying to the boys that the best present they could give me would be a whole day off from the kitchen but they think that is too much work! As this might be the last year here at Dingles Farm I feel I have to pull out all the stops but I shall be drawing up a rota as well. Life is for enjoying not for housework!

    Hi Ruta, good luck on getting some helpers in the kitchen – we always had a rule in our house – if you cooked, then everyone else was on washing up duty! I always remember having the best conversations over washing up (and a few water fights in the process!). Sarah x

  2. What a wonderful time you were all having at the BBQ….agree with your friend Ruta M about the children sat on the little chairs…what a magic picture!! It is a beautiful, crisp, frosty morning here.However looking at the pictures of the BBQ I can almost feel the warmth of a Summer’s day as I gaze at that beautiful garden.

    Yes, that photograph on the chairs really was perfect – the children were brilliant together and had a lot of fun.

  3. Gorgeous photos!! You have captured some realy lovely moments there!!

    Now desert is really a kiwi thing for sure. So many times we have been for a meal and they have whipped out the desert, eyes have rolled and we have been so very unthankful!! Hee hee!!

    I just picked up the Foodtown Magazine from Countdown last week and they have the same gingerbread house recipe in there. I gave it a thought to make one for Bethy’s birthday, but as I am no chef I think not!! You did amazing.

    Lots of love xxxxx

    Thanks Marrisa, perhaps I should give it another go – but I remember Dan helping out with the structural engineering! Sarah x

  4. oh SARAH!!!!!!!!!
    your gingerbread house is *so* snowy!!
    love the roof and the ground.
    love your patience too!
    did you have trouble with your roof slipping off? joel had to stick wooden skewers through his roof panels to hold them on – thankfully the ends are well-camouflaged by snow and lollies!!

    oh and the pavlova and strawberries for dessert is very kiwi – and i am dribbling all over the screen just looking at those christmas mince pies – can’t wait ’til my mum arrives for christmas – i think i’ll barricade her in the kitchen!!!!!
    mwah X

    Thanks Katie! It was easier to have patience in a quiet house before the pitter patter of little feet and ‘helpful’ little hands! We did have some tricky times with the roof and also used wooden skewers – Dan was very helpful with putting in the architectural engineering points! Best wishes with your Christmas cooking endeavours! Sarah x

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