The Holiday called Christmas has become a festival of pressure and over consumption in modern times. Let's go back in time and capture some old fashioned stories from Christmas Past. They are useful.
My parents were products of the Depression of the 1930s and nothing was wasted. I grew up with the saying "Those who waste food will go directly to hell!" I still believe that and use up everything. I also bring home what I can't eat from a a restaurant. This is often frowned upon by English people. Not sure why. We used to joke that our grandmother could make leftovers out of leftovers and everything tasted good! One of the things I love about Christmas is the left overs which often taste better the next day. I love reading about your childhood memories in New Zealand. xo
I love the idea of making left overs with left overs!!
"Those who waste food will go directly to hell!" My thoughts exactly!!! Isn't it funny how everything tastes better the next day. Freshly mashed potatoes are lovely but refried mashed potatoes! Nirvana!!
I always love your posts and stories, Celi (I comment as Grace @ Cultural Life over at The Kitchen's Garden – I used my middle name when I used to blog 12 years ago and haven't updated my WordPress profile).
I was brought up by a single mum who was born just after the war and remembered ration books in the '50s. Even though I'm a '90s baby, well into the capitalist era, I don't remember Christmas being a time of consumerism for us. Books are always the best gifts! I'm trying to encourage my nieces to read, I had my nose in a book constantly when I was a child.
I noted your comment about fruit cake in New Zealand. I hear that in the States fruit cake isn't popular, it seems to be joked about! I love my mum's Christmas cake, made every year from a recipe in a vegetarian cook book from the 1970s (much used and now falling apart, held together with sellotape!), with the fruit soaked in brandy and the cake being 'fed' every week with even more alcohol. I think mum used whisky when I was growing up. Rich and delicious!
American fruit cake makes me think they stood at the door and shot the fruit in with a pop gun. I love the idea of feeding the cake!! We must exchange recipes!!
Oh yes! That would be wonderful. Just take a photo - saves time. My email is celima.g.7@gmail.com- but you probably know that already- I feel like making a good cake to have with a deep red wine to ring in the new year!
I would watch that TV show about using leftovers creatively! ... if I get a TV, haha.
Gardening for myself (and Woofing) has taught me so much about building recipes off of what is available in the fridge or garden. I love that it gives a framework to cooking, tying dishes to seasons and seasonal memories, and making certain dishes all the more special when they make a reappearance as the produce becomes available.
Thank you for sharing your memories, I looove hearing about traditions from other places and times. Your upbringing sounds filled with lovely ways of making the most out of little. Especially in the company of others, I think that's where some of the richest memories can be made.
Leftovers are one my favorite things to find in the fridge. And you’re right seasonal cooking gives us nutrients that we need at the time, I think, do you think?
Fritters is still one of my favs. Mum made them quite often and would be our Monday evening meal followed by our Sunday roast made with the leftover pork or lamb, she would make corn fritters too which were just as delicious. I myself am not a big lover of cooking but I find myself making corn fritters from time to time and I’m not sure if it’s because I feel like a good ol fritter or because they bring back good childhood memories of family time around the table! Thank you for this read C, we enjoyed it :)
My parents were products of the Depression of the 1930s and nothing was wasted. I grew up with the saying "Those who waste food will go directly to hell!" I still believe that and use up everything. I also bring home what I can't eat from a a restaurant. This is often frowned upon by English people. Not sure why. We used to joke that our grandmother could make leftovers out of leftovers and everything tasted good! One of the things I love about Christmas is the left overs which often taste better the next day. I love reading about your childhood memories in New Zealand. xo
I love the idea of making left overs with left overs!!
"Those who waste food will go directly to hell!" My thoughts exactly!!! Isn't it funny how everything tastes better the next day. Freshly mashed potatoes are lovely but refried mashed potatoes! Nirvana!!
I always love your posts and stories, Celi (I comment as Grace @ Cultural Life over at The Kitchen's Garden – I used my middle name when I used to blog 12 years ago and haven't updated my WordPress profile).
I was brought up by a single mum who was born just after the war and remembered ration books in the '50s. Even though I'm a '90s baby, well into the capitalist era, I don't remember Christmas being a time of consumerism for us. Books are always the best gifts! I'm trying to encourage my nieces to read, I had my nose in a book constantly when I was a child.
I noted your comment about fruit cake in New Zealand. I hear that in the States fruit cake isn't popular, it seems to be joked about! I love my mum's Christmas cake, made every year from a recipe in a vegetarian cook book from the 1970s (much used and now falling apart, held together with sellotape!), with the fruit soaked in brandy and the cake being 'fed' every week with even more alcohol. I think mum used whisky when I was growing up. Rich and delicious!
American fruit cake makes me think they stood at the door and shot the fruit in with a pop gun. I love the idea of feeding the cake!! We must exchange recipes!!
That image made me laugh 😁 And yes, definitely, I'll write the recipe out. Would you like me to email it to you?
Oh yes! That would be wonderful. Just take a photo - saves time. My email is celima.g.7@gmail.com- but you probably know that already- I feel like making a good cake to have with a deep red wine to ring in the new year!
Sent! I can imagine it would pair very well with wine. Luxury! 😊
I would watch that TV show about using leftovers creatively! ... if I get a TV, haha.
Gardening for myself (and Woofing) has taught me so much about building recipes off of what is available in the fridge or garden. I love that it gives a framework to cooking, tying dishes to seasons and seasonal memories, and making certain dishes all the more special when they make a reappearance as the produce becomes available.
Thank you for sharing your memories, I looove hearing about traditions from other places and times. Your upbringing sounds filled with lovely ways of making the most out of little. Especially in the company of others, I think that's where some of the richest memories can be made.
Leftovers are one my favorite things to find in the fridge. And you’re right seasonal cooking gives us nutrients that we need at the time, I think, do you think?
Amazing, thank you SO much x
You are always welcome and thank you so much Andy for commenting too it really really makes my day .
Fritters is still one of my favs. Mum made them quite often and would be our Monday evening meal followed by our Sunday roast made with the leftover pork or lamb, she would make corn fritters too which were just as delicious. I myself am not a big lover of cooking but I find myself making corn fritters from time to time and I’m not sure if it’s because I feel like a good ol fritter or because they bring back good childhood memories of family time around the table! Thank you for this read C, we enjoyed it :)
When I come to visit I will teach you grandmas fritters. They are SO GOOD!