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Christmas preparations past and present

mw0njm. said:
carrots and potatoes were added to Christmas pudding wow
www.bbc.com

Carrots in the Christmas pud: How wartime cooks made do

Carrots and potatoes and even gravy browning were key ingredients in wartime recipes for Christmas pudding.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
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Found this recipe for Mrs Beeton's Christmas pud dated from her 1906 edition book on Household Management. It looks fairly straight forward I may try it, but half the recipe.
 

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Radiorails said:
Mrs. Beeton, thought by many to be a homely, middle aged person, was only 28 when she died. She was, first and foremost, a journalist and writer. As the mother of young children I imagine her Book on Household Management took up quite an amount of her time.
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She had a tragic short life: In the early years of her marriage she was busy professionally he book published at the age of 23, but she experienced enormous personal tragedy. Her first baby died from croup at only three months of age and her second child died at three from scarlet fever. Her 3rd child survived (name unknown) She also suffered a series of miscarriages in between these deaths. She died of puerperal fever in July 1865 following the birth of their fourth child named Mayson. So Sad.
 
Not sure I understand why you'd need to skin suet. Is it from the fat near the skin surface of the cow ?
 
I think it is the fat from around the various organs and has some connective tissue holding it in place. Back in Beeton's day you would probably getb it direct from the butchers, not nicely cleaned and shredded.
 
Yes (around kidneys for example) - not the nice packets of Atora we use today. You can even buy vegetarian suet as well.

Christmas puddings are better for being kept - my Nan, my Mom and I always steamed them in October (7hours minimum). Then another couple of hours on Christmas Day. Mom always kept one back for Easter as well but I think that was only because my Dad loved Christmas pudding.
 
Vivienne14 said:
Like the presentiation of the Empire Christmas Pudding recipe.

Does anyone else like Christmas tins ? Over the years I've had many, but they end up disappearing or being used for anything other than Christmas stuff. I have one for my Chrustmas cake and a lovely panetonne tin where I keep the grandkids treats. A few weeks ago I bought a tin of shortbread solely on the basis of the tin it came in. (I know pretty shallow and extravagant). But with the impressive stag on the front and its tartan surround, I had to have it. However, I did promise myself to fill it full of homemade shortbread once the the original contents were eaten. And that's NOW !

Why is shortbread called shortbread ?
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I rang Gordon Ramsey to ask him why is Shortbread called Shortbread and i cannot print his answer sorry i did try.
 
Vivienne14 said:
And did anyone have a sewing box using an old Christmas cigar box ? I did for a while but it became too small when I got interested in sewing. So then I moved on to a Christmas Quality Street tin at home (and a tall silver Bournvita tin for my school sewing lessons). But in time my daughter bought me a proper sewing box (for Christmas about 10 years ago) with trays and pockets in. Right fancy by comparison.
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The mother in law always kept her spare buttons in an old sweet tin . They always had multiple uses and kept everything tidy.
 
I've just had a (festive) email from a friend saying they won't be sending a Christmas card this year and the saved cost will be donated to a charity of their choice. I agree with the principle, but think its sad that another tradition is slipping away. Remember the times when you were advised to "Post early for Christmas"?

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Vivienne14 said:
I've just had a (festive) email from a friend saying they won't be sending a Christmas this year and the saved cost will be donated to a charity of their choice. I agree with the principle, but think its sad that another tradition is slipping away. Remember the times when you were advised to "Post early for Christmas"?

View attachment 186668
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1701854372452.png
WOW!! Post early on the 24th for delivery by Christmas - in 1878 - steam trains and horse-drawn carriages!!!! Now you could post a card in the middle of May and it would struggle to arrive in time for Christmas. Thats progress for you.........
 
mw0njm. said:
carrots and potatoes were added to Christmas pudding wow
www.bbc.com

Carrots in the Christmas pud: How wartime cooks made do

Carrots and potatoes and even gravy browning were key ingredients in wartime recipes for Christmas pudding.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
Click to expand...
My Mom always used her mother's Christmas pudding recipe and that included grated carrots. I think they were ahead of their time as these days we all like carrot cake! Nannie Woolley was born in 1871 and the recipe could have been her mother's.

I remember suet coming in a big uneven lump which had to be grated (not that I did it - I always used vegetarian suet which is 25% less fat).

As for the gravy browning - I've just read a recipe for Christmas cake and it includes gravy browning, good for colour if you're not using dark beer in the mix.
 
Mark Tooze said:
View attachment 186671
WOW!! Post early on the 24th for delivery by Christmas - in 1878 - steam trains and horse-drawn carriages!!!! Now you could post a card in the middle of May and it would struggle to arrive in time for Christmas. Thats progress for you.........
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Mark, I have a postcard in my aunts collection sent on the morning of a visit to say that they wouldn't be able to meet this lunch time.
 
Vivienne14 said:
Like the presentiation of the Empire Christmas Pudding recipe.

Does anyone else like Christmas tins ? Over the years I've had many, but they end up disappearing or being used for anything other than Christmas stuff. I have one for my Chrustmas cake and a lovely panetonne tin where I keep the grandkids treats. A few weeks ago I bought a tin of shortbread solely on the basis of the tin it came in. (I know pretty shallow and extravagant). But with the impressive stag on the front and its tartan surround, I had to have it. However, I did promise myself to fill it full of homemade shortbread once the the original contents were eaten. And that's NOW !

Why is shortbread called shortbread ?
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Does it look anything like this, Vivienne? I bought it a few years ago and kept it in use since then, I couldn’t part with it as I think the picture is wonderful. Mind you, the metal it’s made of is paper thin so I don’t know how long it’ll last.
 

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A silly little thing perhaps, but some of the nicest things about Christmas are. At some time in the early/mid 1970’s when I was a child, the BBC showed an award winning, short animated version of A Christmas Carol and my elder brother or sister (I can’t remember which one) recorded the audio of it by the tried and trusted method of placing a tape recorder by the television and pressing the “RECORD” button. Every year after that, in the exiting days leading up to Christmas, we would sit and listen to the muffled sound of a C60 cassette retelling the story. Years later in the early 90s it was screened again and I was so exited at the chance of seeing it once more I actually booked a day of work to ensure I could video record it without any hiccups. A few years later, I would sit and watch that video with my own children every Christmas...the circle is complete

Made in 1971 and featuring the voices of Alastair Sim as Scrooge and Michael Horden as Marley’s Ghost (as in the 1951 version) the exceptional animation is based on the illustrations from the book itself and is very true to the cold, bleak feeling of the tale as originally told. This is NOT made for children, no sickly Disney rubbish here.
 
Vivienne14 said:
Like the presentiation of the Empire Christmas Pudding recipe.

Does anyone else like Christmas tins ? Over the years I've had many, but they end up disappearing or being used for anything other than Christmas stuff. I have one for my Chrustmas cake and a lovely panetonne tin where I keep the grandkids treats. A few weeks ago I bought a tin of shortbread solely on the basis of the tin it came in. (I know pretty shallow and extravagant). But with the impressive stag on the front and its tartan surround, I had to have it. However, I did promise myself to fill it full of homemade shortbread once the the original contents were eaten. And that's NOW !

Why is shortbread called shortbread ?
Click to expand...
britishfoodhistory.com

Shortbread

The history of shortbread goes back to at least the 12th century and originally started life as ‘biscuit bread’; biscuits that were made from left-over bread dough that was sometimes sweeten…
britishfoodhistory.com britishfoodhistory.com
 
Godber said:
A silly little thing perhaps, but some of the nicest things about Christmas are. At some time in the early/mid 1970’s when I was a child, the BBC showed an award winning, short animated version of A Christmas Carol and my elder brother or sister (I can’t remember which one) recorded the audio of it by the tried and trusted method of placing a tape recorder by the television and pressing the “RECORD” button. Every year after that, in the exiting days leading up to Christmas, we would sit and listen to the muffled sound of a C60 cassette retelling the story. Years later in the early 90s it was screened again and I was so exited at the chance of seeing it once more I actually booked a day of work to ensure I could video record it without any hiccups. A few years later, I would sit and watch that video with my own children every Christmas...the circle is complete

Made in 1971 and featuring the voices of Alastair Sim as Scrooge and Michael Horden as Marley’s Ghost (as in the 1951 version) the exceptional animation is based on the illustrations from the book itself and is very true to the cold, bleak feeling of the tale as originally told. This is NOT made for children, no sickly Disney rubbish here.
Click to expand...
A Christmas Carol with Alistair Sim has to be one of my all-time favorites. We never had a tape recorder, but many friends did as you did. It worked and everyone was happy regardless of the resolution especially by today's standards. Great memories!
 
Love the 1971 film in #77. Not seen that before. Thanks Godber.

Lady P, like the look of the Mary Queen of Scots shortbread, especially with the caraway and citris zest
 
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I like the tin you postef Godber. I remember those in M&S. Has an art deco look about it.
20231206_165227.jpg


This is my tin. It has Black Watch tartan around the sides. Just waiting to be refilled with home-made shortbread. Too busy at the moment and still mulling over the recipes in LadyPs post.
 
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Mark Tooze said:
View attachment 186671
WOW!! Post early on the 24th for delivery by Christmas - in 1878 - steam trains and horse-drawn carriages!!!! Now you could post a card in the middle of May and itwould struggle to arrive in time for Christmas. Thats progress for you.........
Click to expand...
The Post Office think that is pressure for the festive time of the year think of the paper boys and girls from years ago delivering the Sunday papers with all their extra magazines inside . Fell off my bike a few times when i got the balance wrong plus the groove on your shoulder from the bag and all for a £1.00 a week . Paper boys and girls i salute you. By the way i asked our Postman about 1st and 2nd class delivery and he said none . I think next day delivery has gone. So i send my Christmas cards out in January ready for the coming December.
 
And that's one thing that's still around today Timetraveller. Must have been hard work, especially uphill and on snowy or very cold days (even worse - mornings!)

The mention of magazines reminded me of catalogues. An essential part of our prep for Christmas. Browsing for ideas - loved it. Can't remember when I last saw one of those thick catalogues like Littlewoods, Grattan, John Moores (was that Littlewoods ?). Turning down the edges of pages of 'likes' or circling items with a biro.
 
Vivienne14 said:
And that's one thing that's still around today Timetraveller. Must have been hard work, especially uphill and on snowy or very cold days (even worse - mornings!)

The mention of magazines reminded me of catalogues. An essential part of our prep for Christmas. Browsing for ideas - loved it. Can't remember when I last saw one of those thick catalogues like Littlewoods, Grattan, John Moores (was that Littlewoods ?). Turning down the edges of pages of 'likes' or circling items with a biro.
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Yes with you on the magazines .My sister ran a Janet Frazer catalogue back in the 1960s loved looking through it and they had everything in them. And you could pay in full or instalments . Remember Grattans did John Moore own Littlewoods i remember Littlewoods in the City centre. Turning down the pages yes great memories. Argos used to do a catalogue not as big but was still great to look through. You are right nothing like a good old browse.
 
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