The holidays have come and gone, but file this away for next year: a Christmas dinner based off of Dickens’s classic, a Christmas Carol. The following menu has been pulled from the description of Bob Crachit’s feast on Christmas Eve — not a sad, meager meal, as it is often portrayed in film interpretations of the story. But rather a proud day, when the family pooled their modest resources to create a filling feast and a happy occasion. Read the excerpt from the original story here.
The menu items are linked to the historic or contemporary recipes.
Roast Goose with Sage and Onions
Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Apple Sauce
Christmas Plum Pudding in Blazing Brandy
Cock-tail; Gin Sling; Hot Spiced Rum; Charles Dickens Punch
This was the first time I had ever roasted a goose and I was a little disappointed. Water birds have immense chest cavities, so what appears to be a large bird actually does not has a lot of meat. A ten pound goose produced a tiny pile of meat; although what few bites I had tasted good. Knowing that, it’s not a surprise that Scrooge buys the family a big, meaty turkey at the end of the book.
I wasn’t sure how the plum pudding was going to light on fire, but after some discussion, we doused the hot dessert in warm brandy and held a lighter to it, and it was soon engulfed in flame. It was a very impressive end to the meal.
We also played a rousing game of Snapdragon, which involves plucking raisins out of a pan of burning brandy. It’s a lot less dangerous that it sounds.
I remember eating Snapdragons as a child. I’m unaware that a game is involved. Could you elaborate just a bit? Thx
You know what, I meant to link it do a good description of the game! Will do.
hooray for british christmas (bristmas)!
did you make butter sauce for the christmas pudding?
my hosts this year made brandy and rum butters for sauce… so delicious.
I did ! 1 stick unsalted butter, about 1/4 brown sugar, and a healthy helping of white wine. Delicious! Although i have to say, I don’t think plum pudding is my favorite..at least not circa 1840s plum pudding
The plum pudding was fun to light on fire but the holly did light up and had to be removed. The trick is to do it and turn all the lights off and go “OOOHHHH”.
As for goose, it is so expensive and 1 just barely feeds 4… a bit of a let down but was good, wasn’t it?
I hope you had a jolly party with all those wonderful drinks! Happy New Year, Sarah!
Happy New Year, Deana!
We did turn of the lights and lit it up with many gasps of delight.
The goose was sooo expensive! And yes, the meat was good, but not enough of it! I served a really tasty ham to supplement the meal.
The Goose was awsome, as was all the food!!
Thanks, Mike!