Christmas Food Past & Present
Every year on the Saturday before Christmas, the Boar’s Head Gaudy is held at Queen’s College Oxford, upholding an ancient college tradition. The meal begins as the boar’s head, served on a silver dish, bedecked with holly, mistletoe, rosemary and bay and carrying an orange in its mouth, is ceremoniously brought into the dining room to the sounds of the Boar’s Head Carol. Read More
Festive Food - Cranberries
Christmas may still be several weeks away but there is no escaping the influx of festive foods on display in the shops. Fresh cranberries will also start making an appearance now and jars of cranberry sauce suddenly gain more prominence at this time of year. At one time, Christmas was probably the only occasion that cranberries, in the form of cranberry sauce, would have been eaten in the UK. That was until 1995, when the ‘Delia effect’ sent sales of cranberries rocketing after they featured in her ‘Winter Collection’ TV series and accompanying recipe book. Read More
Festive Food - Stollen
Although Stollen was originally a German Christmas speciality, it is increasingly becoming an essential part of Christmas in many parts of the world. With its sweet, rich, fruit filled buttery dough and marzipan filling it is easy to see why it is a popular addition to the Christmas table. However it’s doubtful whether anyone would find the original Stollen recipe as enjoyable. Read More
Festive Food - The Yule Log
Have you ever wondered why chocolate Yule logs are eaten at Christmas? Over the years the Yule log has become staple Christmas fare alongside the mince pies and Christmas cake. Although it is now more commonly thought of as a cake for children, in the past the Yule log played a significant role in the Christmas festivities. Read More
Festive Food - The Christmas Pudding
This is the year that you’ve decided to impress your family and friends and make your own Christmas pudding. So, one of the first things you need to do is to decide when the best time would be to make it. Fortunately this is something that is easily resolved because there is actually a day dedicated to making Christmas puddings. It is aptly titled ‘Stir Up Sunday’ and it is always the Sunday before advent. Read More
The Time When Mince Pies Were Banned
It’s hard to believe nowadays, but for a time during the 17th century, Christmas festivities were banned throughout the country. No feasting, no traditional Christmas foods such as mince pies and plum porridge (the precursor to Christmas pudding), no time off work, no games, no church services and no decorations. Instead life had to carry on as if it was a normal working day.
Why? Read More
