We were seven for Christmas dinner for our long slow barbecue that I
planned and wrote about earlier.

The weather looked doubtful. I had a quiet word to my friend up above
and at noon we sat outside on the deck. Sparkling wine flowed. When
the last of our guests arrived, we started cooking.

3kg of steamed mussels, cooked in butter, shallots, a generous splurge
of white wine and a dash of water. Tipped on a platter with fresh
bread and wedges of lemon. (1kg left over)

3 large crayfish tails, cut into sections and served cold with pepper,
salt and lemons for those who wished.

two racks of lamb, barbecued to pink with herb crust.

marinated chicken thighs, cut into pieces and cooked on skewers.

(The wind got up and we moved indoors to the previously prepared
dining table)

1kg of lightly seared fresh scallops (400g left over)

1.6kg of marinated Thai tiger prawns (1.2kg left over!!)

sides of mixed green salad, potato salad, tomato salad.

We were pooped. Uncooked sat buffalo wings and beef kebabs. We decided
not to serve them as people were struggling to eat the last dish and
it was already 5pm, from a start time of 1pm for eating.

Desserts were trifle, pavlova, mixed berry fruit and a lemon baked
cheesecake, and icecream and whipped cream.

I was zonked. Everyone was full. I felt I never wanted to see another
meal again.....

BUT
Boxing day today we had leftovers to get through. Another barbecue and
better weather. We sat outside till 8.30pm, eating beef kebabs, more
prawns, more scallops and buffalo wings.

Tomorrow should see the leftovers finished. Phew.

Next year I will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food. Next
year I will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food. Next year
I will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food. Next year I
will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food.

Kathy in NZ

Kathy in NZ wrote:
> We were seven for Christmas dinner for our long slow barbecue that I
> planned and wrote about earlier.
>
> The weather looked doubtful. I had a quiet word to my friend up above
> and at noon we sat outside on the deck. Sparkling wine flowed. When
> the last of our guests arrived, we started cooking.
>
> 3kg of steamed mussels, cooked in butter, shallots, a generous splurge
> of white wine and a dash of water. Tipped on a platter with fresh
> bread and wedges of lemon. (1kg left over)
>
> 3 large crayfish tails, cut into sections and served cold with pepper,
> salt and lemons for those who wished.
>
> two racks of lamb, barbecued to pink with herb crust.
>
> marinated chicken thighs, cut into pieces and cooked on skewers.
>

more food items snipped
>
> Next year I will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food. Next
> year I will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food. Next year
> I will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food. Next year I
> will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food.
>
> Kathy in NZ
>
>

Nah, just invite me. What a feast!

gloria p

On Mon, 26 Dec 2005 08:32:32 GMT, (Kathy in NZ) wrote:

>Next year I will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food. Next
>year I will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food. Next year
>I will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food. Next year I
>will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food.

Now, wonder if I should go find an e-card site that does scheduled
delivery--and use this as the message for next, oh, Dec 20th....
<g>

--
-denny-
"Do your thoughts call ahead or do they just arrive at your mouth unannounced?"

"It's come as you are, baby."

-over the hedge

On 26 Dec 2005 15:18:31 -0800, "aem" > wrote:

>
>Kathy in NZ wrote:
>> We were seven for Christmas dinner for our long slow barbecue that I
>> planned and wrote about earlier. [snip description of feast]
>>
>> Next year I will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food. Next
>> year I will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food. Next year
>> I will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food. Next year I
>> will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food.
>>
>No, next year your friends and relatives will bring along more friends
>and relatives whom they have raved to about your feast. So you'll need
>as much or more and there won't be so much left over. In order for us
>to finalize our travel plans, are you on the North Island or South?
>-aem
>
We live in the North Island, close to the capital city of Wellington.
Let me know when you're coming. Bring an appetite.

kathy in NZ

On Mon, 26 Dec 2005 15:24:16 -0800, Denny Wheeler
> wrote:

>On Mon, 26 Dec 2005 08:32:32 GMT, (Kathy in NZ) wrote:
>
>>Next year I will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food. Next
>>year I will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food. Next year
>>I will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food. Next year I
>>will cook less food. Next year I will cook less food.
>
>Now, wonder if I should go find an e-card site that does scheduled
>delivery--and use this as the message for next, oh, Dec 20th....
><g>
>
>--
>-denny-
>"Do your thoughts call ahead or do they just arrive at your mouth unannounced?"
>
>"It's come as you are, baby."
>
>-over the hedge

Possibly next year I will return to the traditional roast turkey. I
planned the feast months in advance so send me the card in September!
The barbecue was a lot of work, and also expensive (with wine, more
than $NZ300). But Christmas is like childbirth..... you forget the
pain.

Kathy in NZ