Mama's Christmas

Growing up we didn't make a big thing out of Christmas. I never believed in Santa and we never ever had a tree, though my father would throw some multi-colored Christmas lights on the balcony.

To me Christmas was about Christmas music on the radio, bigger crowds, Christmas movies, and waiting impatiently on Christmas eve for 12 am so we could open the presents our parents gave us (so we didn't feel left out at school after winter break). We also spent time with extended family, however the older we got, the less 'Christmassy' things got. By the time I was a teenager Christmas was just another day.

So after I met my husband, he shared a lot of his Christmas traditions with me and my son. I didn't know A LOT and it has been so much fun learning from him. It was so much fun decorating a Christmas tree for the first time with him. I don't know why, but I was extremely nervous about it. I actually have a video of it, but it's on a broken laptop that my husband is now tinkering with! 

So every year my husband and my children are making our own little traditions, and trying to ensure our children have fond memories of Christmases and pass it on to their own children. This Christmas my eldest son is with his biological father so it was a bit sad, but my 3 and 1 year old were a lot of fun and very appreciative! 

We didn't bring the presents out until the very early hours on Christmas morning so the kids would think Santa brought them loads of gifts, but the first thing my daughter said was "THANK YOU MA AND DAD!" She's too clever and funny ;)

Some photos:

Christmas Eve

A simple dinner- Baked Penne with Sausage and Ricotta with a side salad from vegetables and apples from the crisper and a balsamic vinaigrette 

Mince Pie and spiked eggnog for Santa and a carrot for the Reindeer....yes 1 carrot- we ain't got it like that ;)

Discovered this Christmas morning! Looks like Santa didn't wipe his feet- rude!

At least he's appreciative!

Definitely a White Christmas

Kids woke up late but they got into the presents quickly!!

Peppa Pig obsessed baby was quite happy with this :)

Homemade Vanilla Hot Chocolate to kill the morning chill

Daughter getting ready for Christmas Dinner

The "princess dress" she's been asking for since her birthday :)

Christmas Dinner thanks to Cook's Illustrated Holiday Issue:

 Ultimate Stuffed Beef Tenderloin (stuffed with mushrooms and spinach) 

Candied Sweet Potatoes (not too sweet- just perfect) 

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans with Mustard Vinaigrette

Rolls from Rachael Ray. Those rolls were a hit 2 years straight. They're f##king awesome. Excuse my freedom. ;)

Tunnel of Fudge cake! Soooooo rich and perfectly fudgy! Also from Cook's Illustrated Holiday Entertaining Issue!

My friend's son said the dinner was the best he's ever eaten. I love this kid even more now ;) The dinner was a big hit and we hardly have any leftovers! We still have cake and that's all that matters ;)

Husband aka Santa

Just Peachy, Peach Chutney that is!

While reading my Rachael Ray magazine (don't judge me), I came across an interview where she asked the main character from True Blood, Stephen Moyer, **Confession- I had to Google his name as I never watch the show or have the magazine in my vicinity**  about his fridge and his fantasy dinner party guests. What really stuck out to me was the chutney in his fridge. He described it as a pear and chili chutney and how he used it to dress sandwiches, perk up meat and my mouth began to water.


I've only bought chutney once this past winter, and was a bit turned off that the main ingredient was High Fructose Syrup, especially as it's so easy to make at home! Though that did not stop me from using the whole jar- I just did not buy chutney again. It was a mango chutney and I used it as an accompaniment to curries, to dip pita breads in, spread on a sandwich, etc. I promised myself that I would make some, but never did. Now that I am into jarring/canning I've been researching different things to can. The main thing I am most excited canning is chutneys! I do not have any jars yet, but it's on my list of things to order on Amazon as soon as we have extra money. In the meantime I made just enough chutney to accompany tonight's dinner- Lemon-Curry Tilapia with a Cool Cucumber Salad on the side- also from Rachael's magazine.


I found a peach chutney recipe on www.foodnetwork.com and it is really simple, play it safe recipe for a first try. I will be making different varieties in the near future. I absolutely loved this paired with the fish! And you can use it with whatever you want! Slab on some nice toasted crusty bread if you want, chutney is pretty versatile!

Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
2 shallots finely diced
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
1 1/2 pounds fresh peaches, blanched and diced**
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brandy
1/2 cup cider vinegar
Salt and Pepper

Directions
Melt butter, add garlic, shallot and jalapeño and sweat for 1 to 2 minutes on medium heat. Add diced peaches and cook for 2 to 3 minutes,  raise heat to medium high. 






Add sugar and stir cooking for about a minute more. De-glaze pan with brandy and vinegar and stir for a about 1 or 2 minutes, then turn heat down to low until peaches are soft. Season with salt and pepper and serve.