The Christmas countdown

[Prayer Warrior]

My husband died right after Christmas, so my family really didn't feel like celebrating Christmas for years. It's a difficult time of year for us.

But last Christmas was very nice. My sister came from out-of-state with her two dogs. Even though I had the flu (which I rarely get), we had a nice peaceful Christmas. God knew we needed it!

Something I do every Christmas (and Thanksgiving) is make my grandma's cornbread dressing recipe. (It's very southern, @farouk :)) Before she died years ago, she showed me how she made it. It's been a family favorite ever since.

What are some special dishes that y'all make during the Christmas season?

 

[Josho]

What are some special dishes that y'all make during the Christmas season?

I am a big fan of having seafood during Christmas, my mum usually gets smoked salmon and prawns.... Mmmmmmm

 

[shortangel]

i'm getting excited about Christmas yayyyyyy :)

 

[Prayer Warrior]

I am a big fan of having seafood during Christmas, my mum usually gets smoked salmon and prawns.... Mmmmmmm

Okay, you’ll have to explain what prawns are. :)

 

[Josho]

Okay, you’ll have to explain what prawns are. :)

Oh I believe all you Americans call prawns "shrimp."

 

[Prayer Warrior]

Oh I believe all you Americans call prawns "shrimp."

View attachment 10936

Ah, shrimp! I grew up on the Gulf Coast. We had jumbo gulf shrimp (but not for Christmas).

 

[Josho]

Oh I believe all you Americans call prawns "shrimp."

View attachment 10936

Anyway has anyone ever actually gone "prawning" or tried catching these things?

These are tricky things to catch with just a net and torch, they swim so fast, the trick is, you gotta scare them into the net with a torch underwater, while walking around in shallow water.

There are probably other methods though of course. But that's a recreational method.

 

[JohnDB]

Today I ordered the 11 lb or 5 KG brick of fine belgium chocolate.
2 lbs of white.
Also a 4lb bag of dried, pitted cherries.

They ought to be here soon. Amazon delivers.

Chocolate was kinda expensive this year.
Last year it was @ $5 lb...this year more like $7. Kinda a huge jump. (Much cheaper when bought in bulk and I usually go through 15-18 lbs). The local grocery stores has it @ $10/lb on sale...or around $13/lb normal.
I use good chocolate for my candies. Better than hershey's ever thought about.

Cherries were great as usual...only $6/lb.

Gonna have to make a run for flour, spices, cocoa powder and sugars. (Brown, powdered, and castor/cane)

This the season.

 

[Josho]

@Prayer Warrior But of course we also usually have the classic Christmas ham and turkey in Australia. :)

 

[Prayer Warrior]

Today I ordered the 11 lb or 5 KG brick of fine belgium chocolate.
2 lbs of white.
Also a 4lb bag of dried, pitted cherries.

They ought to be here soon. Amazon delivers.

Chocolate was kinda expensive this year.
Last year it was @ $5 lb...this year more like $7. Kinda a huge jump. (Much cheaper when bought in bulk and I usually go through 15-18 lbs). The local grocery stores has it @ $10/lb on sale...or around $13/lb normal.
I use good chocolate for my candies. Better than hershey's ever thought about.

Cherries were great as usual...only $6/lb.

Gonna have to make a run for flour, spices, cocoa powder and sugars. (Brown, powdered, and castor/cane)

This the season.

Stop it!!! You’re making me want some chocolate.

 

[JohnDB]

Oh I believe all you Americans call prawns "shrimp."

Prawns are a bit different...

Bigger and almost like a lobster.

 

[Josho]

Today I ordered the 11 lb or 5 KG brick of fine belgium chocolate.
2 lbs of white.
Also a 4lb bag of dried, pitted cherries.

They ought to be here soon. Amazon delivers.

Chocolate was kinda expensive this year.
Last year it was @ $5 lb...this year more like $7. Kinda a huge jump. (Much cheaper when bought in bulk and I usually go through 15-18 lbs). The local grocery stores has it @ $10/lb on sale...or around $13/lb normal.
I use good chocolate for my candies. Better than hershey's ever thought about.

Cherries were great as usual...only $6/lb.

Gonna have to make a run for flour, spices, cocoa powder and sugars. (Brown, powdered, and castor/cane)

This the season.

Cherries usually can get up to like $20+ a kilo at that time of year around here.

 

[Prayer Warrior]

@Prayer Warrior But of course we also usually have the classic Christmas ham and turkey in Australia. :)

There ya go! That sounds like Christmas to me. :)

 

[Josho]

Prawns are a bit different...

Bigger and almost like a lobster.

I haven't ever seen one the size of a lobster really... Except maybe in Spongebob Squarepants.

 

[Prayer Warrior]

Cherries usually can get up to like $20+ a kilo at that time of year around here.

$20 a kilo?? Huh?

Americans are metric illiterate.

 

[Josho]

$20 a kilo?? Huh?

Yeah something that

People obviously go crazy over them.

 

[JohnDB]

Stop it!!! You’re making me want some chocolate.

Here's something similar to what I make every year.
Best Sellers | John Kelly Chocolates

 

[Josho]

Here's something similar to what I make every year.
Best Sellers | John Kelly Chocolates

These must be some luxurious chocolates.

 

[Prayer Warrior]

Here's something similar to what I make every year.
Best Sellers | John Kelly Chocolates

Never heard of it. Looks good.

 

[JohnDB]

$20 a kilo?? Huh?

Americans are metric illiterate.

1.8 kg for $24 USD