The first commercially produced Christmas Card (1843), designed by Henry Cole (1808-1882)
Wishing all Greasy Spooners, wherever you are in the world, my very best wishes for a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year.
The free range turkey’s in the oven- stuffed with watercress, bacon and chestnuts. Elizabeth David’s Orange Sauce has been made (not at all sure about this one); the ham has been baked, glazed with honey and studded with cloves. I’m going to shred the brussel sprouts and fry them quickly in the wok with bacon and chestnuts and a bit of white wine.
The Greasy Spoon Christmas Pudding is ready to go. It’s already been cooked for ten hours. By mistake. We went to a drinks party, forgot to turn off the stove, and came home at two in the morning to find it still steaming away. It’s either going to be fabulous or a complete disaster. We shall see. And the kitchen lights have just blown and we’re cooking in the London gloom. Luckily, the stove’s still working.
The other life-shattering event is that yesterday morning, for the first time in my life, believe it or not, I have actually, finally made a cake. A manly Scottish Dundee Cake flavoured with J & B Rare Whisky. I will be reporting back in the New Year with the results.
