Christmas

Mum's Christmas Plum Pudding

Yum, Yum, Pudd of Plum.  This is a brilliant, fruity, traditional Christmas cake everyone will enjoy.

Note the ounces (oz) usage rather than kilograms. This is a traditional recipe handed down through generations!
FYI - 35 ounces="1" kg. So 8oz is approximately 300g. 4oz is 150g.
Oh, and with this recipe there is but one rule: 1 glass for the pudd, 1 for the cook....

For more recipes by Trudi Nelson, go to www.freshinthekitchen.co.nz

Oliebollen

Oliebollen, the Dutch version of doughnuts, is literally translated as "oily balls". They are said to have been first eaten by Germanic tribes in the Netherlands during the Yule, the period between December 26 and January 6.

The Germanic goddess Perchta, together with evil spirits, would fly through the mid-winter sky. To appease these spirits, food was offered, much of which contained deep-fried dough.

It was said Perchta would try to cut open the bellies of all she came across, but because of the fat in the oliebollen, her sword would slide off the body of whoever ate...

Quick Pavlova

We think that everyone needs to give this pavlova recipe a go! Don't be afraid; it's a fun pav to make. And lopsided pavlovas are all the more charming. Perfect for ANZAC Day, Waitangi Day or Christmas!

For more recipes by Trudi Nelson, go to www.freshinthekitchen.co.nz

Rich Christmas Cake

When I was compiling the recipes for this book, I could not leave out my mother’s recipe for this rich, moist fruit cake. She has handed it on to me from her mother and I’d like to think it will continue to be cooked in future generations of our family. We don’t like icing, but you may wish to cover it with marzipan and then a white butter icing on top for a really festive cake.

Roast Turkey with Two stuffings.

Two delicious stuffings make this turkey very festive: dried pear, sausage and herb stuffing for the main cavity, and an oyster and bacon stuffing for the small area by the breast. In our home chipolatas and bacon rolls are now traditional accompaniment to the Christmas turkey. You can roast them the turkey and serve them on the side – the children will love them.