Christmas Traditions – What Were Yours Growing Up?

[mw0njm.]

A tip for roasting goose or duck is to prick the skin then roast on a wire rack or trivet set inside a roasting tin. Pour off the fat during the cooking. The legs should be covered in foil or or cut off and cooked separately. Keep the fat as it makes wonderful roast potatoes. Geese are expensive, so buy well before Christmas and freeze the bird before careful thawing. It is a dark meat with a strong favour, but won't be dry.

Duck is easy to get, try a free range one. If it is wild - a shot bird, then look for pellets. Wild duck can taste fishy or muddy to some. For goose a farm or game dealer is best, they take a long time to grow.

if the shooter is sticking to the law the shot should be none lead

• wildfowlers must abide by the law and meet the standards described in this code, and show respect for the countryside, due regard to health
• The use of lead shot for all wildfowling has been made illegal in England and Wales, and for all shooting on or over wetlands (including foreshore) in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

nothing worse than eating a bird full of shot

 

[Richard Dye]

yes loads of sprouts pigs in blankets whole carrots and mash tatties

oo roll on Christmas

Ditto we had/have the same and lots of stuffing for turkey and the pork!

 

[Richard Dye]

Never tried duck/goose, always thought they were greasy? Like Pete said, turkey can be dry. Might try a duck/goose this year or fish & chips with a curry sauce.

It’s pretty easy to crisp up Duck, the grease makes wonderful roasted potatoes!

 

[John L]

So apart from the main meat…. Do we also have pigs in blankets & sprouts on our plates for Christmas ???!!!!

Turkey, pigs in blankets, stuffing, cranberry sauce, roast potatoes, roast parsnips, sprouts, Yorkshire pudding, peas and carrots, with Christmas pudding & cream to follow. With a glass or two of wine, to help it go down...

 

[Smudger]

It’s pretty easy to crisp up Duck, the grease makes wonderful roasted potatoes!

My wife has informed me that many years ago we used to buy confit de canard from Tesco. I shall have to check to see if they still sell it.

 

[Suzanneiom]

Turkey, pigs in blankets, stuffing, cranberry sauce, roast potatoes, roast parsnips, sprouts, Yorkshire pudding, peas and carrots, with Christmas pudding & cream to follow. With a glass or two of wine, to help it go down...

Sounds delicious, roll on xmas day )

 

[Richard Dye]

My wife has informed me that many years ago we used to buy confit de canard from Tesco. I shall have to check to see if they still sell it.

Go for it! A great taste….

 

[Richard Dye]

Turkey, pigs in blankets, stuffing, cranberry sauce, roast potatoes, roast parsnips, sprouts, Yorkshire pudding, peas and carrots, with Christmas pudding & cream to follow. With a glass or two of wine, to help it go down...

I’ll bring a couple of bottles of red! That is a great celebration!