Christmas Turkey Stuffed With Mushroom-Flavored Forcemeat

From Ruth Van Waerebeek’s “Everybody Eats Well in Belgium Cookbook.” This has become my standard Thanksgiving turkey recipe. I follow it precisely, alternately basting with drippings and butter every 15 minutes. The result is a spectacular presentation—a beautiful, dark golden brown turkey that everyone ooh’s and ahh’s over. It’s not that hard, just takes a little extra work. And the extras—making the forcemeat stuffing beforehand and the gravy at the end—are worth the trouble. Ruth says that the Christmas Turkey is traditionally served with Deep-Fried Potatoe Croquettes, Celery Root and Potato Purée, an assortment of green vegetables, and Baked Apples Filed with Berries, or Pears Poached in Spiced Red Wine.

Gigot a La Cuillère – French Slow Cooked Spoon Lamb

A classic French Bistro recipe, and one that is SO easy to cook; the lamb in this recipe is cooked after 5 or 6 hours, but 7 hours is the traditional French timing for ‘gigot a la cuillère’ – a joint that can be carved with a spoon, hence its name! You will need a very large ovenproof casserole with a lid or a large, deep roasting tin, which you can cover tightly with tin foil – or, this can be cooked with GREAT success in the crock-pot. This lamb is just divine when served alongside gratin Dauphinoise and steamed haricots verts. I add lots of garlic for quite a pungent flavour – adjust the garlic and seasonings to personal taste.

Rosemary Roasted Garlic

Garlic is so good when it’s roasted. Try this on Italian style bread topped with tomato, or added to your mash, pasta, or in butter for a baked potato.

Leslies Topside Roast

Leslie lived across the road from us and was a very good friend of Mums. Mum cooked this alot when we were growing up as kids. Make sure you weigh your roast for cooking times. I have quoted cook time for a 1 kilo roast. You may like to increase the paste mixture for larger size roasts.

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