Kikoklu Christmas Dinner 2011

We had agreed that we would have 2 Christmas dinners in 2011, we had our first in February so now in December it was time to have the other.

The venue was to be the Healy Hall, a palatial residence just outside of Kiel. Carolyn, the Lady of the Mansion, had decided (for she as the person(s) supplying the venue, made the main course) on Goose.

The motly crew had assembled:

Kalle and Linda. Ahem getting a bit close there old boy

A smiling relaxing Marianne

Me, making sure no one got too much

It says "das muss so" (it's got to be)

Carolyn had run out of glasses so had to drink out of her hand

So the menu was to be:

Pre-dinner drinks:

Canard-Duchêne (Charles VII Brut) Champagne

Starter: Kalle's calf liver and chicken terrine.

Soup: Rich's Wildkraftbrühe mit Haseleberspätzle einlager - Game Consommé with hare liver spätzle

Main: Goose with an Irish potato stuffing, Linda's spiced red cabbage, Chrystalised orange slices, in goose fat roasted potatoes, roasted parsnips and shallots, gibblet gravy.

Refresher dessert: Marianne's fresh fruit salad and vanilla ice cream.

Main dessert: Carolyn's Christmas pudding (2009 vintage)

First we had a little tete a tete as normally in the kitchen.


We next adjourned to the main dining-hall and opened the bottle of Champagne for pre-dinner drinks

In between chatting and just idling around, the goose was being cooked,

 The pud was boiling and Kalle presented his wonderful terrine.

Kalle's terrine:

Calves liver marinated in cognac, chicken breast filets rubbed with fresh ginger, minced pork, pork fat to cover all in the terrine form. Sliced and served with a lamb's lettuce salad, Pomegranate dressing and a homemade Cumberland sauce, accompanied by a Swedish rosemary cracker.

Rich's Soup game-consomme-with-hare-liver-spatzle

The main course
The goose stuffed with potato stuffing.

Before

And

After

The wonderful juicy goose meat

Roasted parsnips and shallots

Roasted potatoes in goose fat

Carolyn's spiced Orange Rings

6 firm, medium-sized (bio) oranges


400 ml white wine vinegar


350 g soft brown sugar


cinammon stick


1/2 tsp whole cloves


2 blades mace






Wipe oranges well but do not peel. Cut them into thin, even slices. Put them into a saucepan and barely cover with water. Boil and simmer for 30 min. or until soft.


Drain liquid into a clean pan, add vinegar, sugar and spices. Heat gradually until sugar has dissolved.


Put drained slices in a few at a time when it is boiling hard and simmer until rind becomes clear.


Transfer rings to warmed jars until almost full.


Boil syrup again until it begins to thicken (ca. 15 min). Then leave to cool a little and pour over orange rings. Cover at once.


Store a week before using.



Linda's spiced cabbage this was adapted from one of the Hairy Bikers' recipes (roast herb salmon with braised cabbage and mushroom cheese sauce)



Sucking on the leg bone

The plate of Christmas Joy

Marianne's Fresh Fruit Cocktail and Vanilla Ice Cream

Ending with Carolyn's Christmas Pud Flambé

As she lights the touch paper, I bravely disappear onto the sofa.

Bit of a damp squib!!!! No bang!!!

In the meantime, unbeknown to us, a little romance was taking place:

Ms. Angel perched upon a wine glass, nonchalently watching the goings on.

Little did she know that a strange man robed in scarlet and who had a 1st Dan in Judo was watching her from afar.

And was he a quick mover. Before you could say Santa Claus he had climbed up beside her.

He slowly sidled around to her and started his chat up line " Ello my little angel do you want to feel inside of my sack", boy does he know some corny lines, but the poor naive, unsuspecting maiden (but not for much longer) fell for it hook, line and sinkler.

Before you could blink an eyelid they were off, down the glass and onto the duvet.

Well, you don't need me to tell you what happened next. Santa had his sack well and truely rifled and the angel got some of the plum duff and a few other surprises.

They had to get married and they got a couple of liked minded friends to be maids? of honour????? and best man, they went away on a double honeymoon to Switzerland and while there formed the Christmas 4 person bob team

They are now hoping that 6 person bob teams will be allowed in the next winter Olympics as they are expecting baby sledgers.

Happy Christmas from Mr and Mrs Claus AND THE REST OF US.