I’m sure you can agree with me when I say that this year has seriously had it’s accelerator all the way down. It feels like only like yesterday when I was writing up a post for all the Christmas gatherings in 2010. To date, I’ve had five pre-Christmas parties with four consecutive night outs of food and booze which also meant a week long aftermath with a thumping hangover still lingering.
My mantra during the holidays: “EAT LIKE YOU’LL NEVER SEE FOOD AGAIN!” ….
Creamy the cat lookin all crazaay devouring her Christmas Pressie. Abit like me when it comes to food I guess.
FEASTivities 2011 (not counting work parties)
1. Neighborhood Christmas Party
2. A Meaty Argentinian, Filipino and Chinese BBQ
3. Christmas with the Family
4. Ivanhoe Christmas Street Lights
5. Food Blogger Christmas Picnic
6. Waking up to La Belle Miette Macarons
7. Still to come: Another Christmas BBQ in countdown 5 hours……
Neighborhood Christmas Party
The onslaught of eatathons begun at my mum’s Neighborhood Christmas Party which has been been running for an incredible 7 years now and looking at the turn out at this year’s event, I think next year we’ll need two spit roast pigs.
Even Santa makes an appearance!
hmmm…someone hungover (ME!) forgot to bring their BBQ utensils.. (explained later on)
As with every year, the main attraction of the party is the Lechon (spit roast pig) and to make it even better, this time round, we had an electric carving knife – at my request. I tell you folks, this invention is life saving. You see, I somehow end up with the carving duties and by the end of the day, after slicing and strategically distributing the crackling, my hands are absolutely knackered!
Everyone in the neighborhood contributes to the raffle with prizes ranging from king sized hampers to bottles of wine as well as toys and lollies for the kiddies.
Mum giving a welcome speech
What’s great about the neighborhood, is the cultural diversity so on the buffet table you have dumplings, Greek desserts and arancini balls to pasta, curries and spring rolls. So good.
Santa even makes a visit bringing his jolly swager handing out choccies to all the kiddies and yes, even the adults.
Food really does bring people together.
A Meaty Argentinian, Filipino and Chinese BBQ
Last weekend, my mates threw one mighty BBQ at their place in the far eastside of town. Thankfully, they also had one sweet deck at the back that provided some needed shade during the balmy weather and where we plopped ourselves for several hours. I brought Cookie the beagle along with me to play with their two doggies – a Rottweiler named Apollo and a little one named Wesley who couldn’t get enough of Cookie. I swear I caught them humping more than few times! Horny buggers!
An festive table spread by my friend Saks
My mate Jason, who is Argentinian, prepared a heavy load of Beef Asado. So simple with just a dash of salt beforehand, the meat was flamed up into a juicy state and cooked medium rare.
I made some homemade Tocino using a mix of pork belly and chops- curing the meat with my homemade mix for 4 days resulting in a sticky, sweet and perfectly charred batch of meat. The dogs were going wild!!!
My other friend Sam made some Chinese soy based chicken wings that we also put on the barby to smoke up. The dessert platter was epic with little morsels and cherries. We started cooking in the afternoon, sat outside chatting and drinking under some pretty cool lanterns then finished up at 2am…comatosed on the couch watching Kick Ass whilst I counted the numerous mosquito bites I had. Wah! For some reason, mozzies go weak for my blood.
Christmas with the Family
AYE CURUMBA! Despite being a small family, my mum insists on making two massive Orange and Honey Glazed hams amongst other things like eggplant, prawns, crab, green mango salad, Daang (fish) and don’t get me started on dessert . My brother and I would always say “Who’s gonna eat all this?” It’s funny how tradition overrides logic and practicality.
One thing I do look forward to is my mum’s Daeng that I’d describe as candied fish. It can be made in many ways, but this version is the best – smoked, charred, sweet and beautifully crisp.
4 hour cooked Orange and Honey Glazed Ham by mum
Ivanhoe Boulevard Lights
I guess I’ve started my own tradition – every year, my friends and I would make a visit to the Ivanhoe Boulevard Lights in action. It’s one of the few ways to get yourself into the festive spirit and with all the amazing houses all lit up, it’s hard not to. There are carolers, hotdog and ice cream vans and a tonne of other revelers.
This house used to be the most decorated- resembling a gingerbread house. However, this year, they seem to have taken a less is more approach. Nonetheless, still an amazing effort. Loved the candy canes.
The nutcracker at the Ivanhoe Christmas lights
My favourite house at Ivanhoe Christmas lights
Food Blogger Christmas Picnic
The feasting continued at the Bloggers Xmas Picnic which began at a local park and continued at Agnes’ joint where we shamefully did a Singstar/Karaoke session. At Msihua’s request, I made an English Trifle that weighed a tonne. This time round, I added even more Frangelico as we could hardly taste any last time. Though, I didn’t mind it either way considering how much booze I had drunk at the Christmas celebrations the 3 nights beforehand! I woke up at the crack of dawn to construct the Trifle….hungover then quickly got dressed and put on my big sunglasses to cover up my sorry state.
Consider this the new and improved Trifle with more layers, more custard, more fruit and with so much alcohol you can light it up. I also brought in some marinated Pork Belly that I ended up barbequing with a plastic fork because I forgot to bring the essentials. Oh, if anyone got a photo of this, please email me! 🙂 So preoccupied, I didn’t take as many photos as I should have. Weird, I know!
Barbequing with a plastic fork. WIN. Not… (ping Sporkette)
My memory was in a bad state on that day but I believe Ashley made the addictive cured salmon (below) and chocolate banana bread (so good), Thanh drummed up the fruitylicious baked cheesecake, Bianca baked some hot hot hot potatoes and spicy hummus, Brian made some pretty jellies filled with fruit and Kat created a great antipasto platter. There was also some lamb by Agnes, cauliflower rice, avocado, coriander and celery salad by Msihua – fellow bloggers, please let me know who made the other gems!!! LOL
Bloggers trying to be healthy…
So that wraps up my Christmas adventures.I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Habbby New Year. Keep safe but partay hard.
Christmas Morning
I woke up this Christmas morning with the best suprise pressie, a special batch of macarons given by La Belle Miette’s pastry chef! Thank you! After a morning jog with Cookie (in the rain…wah) I cooked up a BIG BREKKIE with some leftover ham, eggplant, tomatoes from the neighbour’s garden and some eggs.
Bring on 2012!!!!!! Ye Ye Ye wha wha!
So um, what did you get up to?
If you’re not already signed up for updates from Food Rehab, get on the list and I’ll do my best to keep us learning about none-other than glorious, GLORIOUS food! Also, follow me on Facebook or Twitter if you have either of those addictive things.
Keep eating,
Adrian
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Oh my gosh, I feel so sad about my life right now! Not only have I had no pre-Christmas parties, my work “party” was the five of us going to a cafe on our last day of work and having one coffee each and sharing one cheese plate. WORST. CHRISTMAS. FEASTING. EVER.
At least we had lots of food on actual-Christmas day. And also, hurrah for you! Thank you for sharing, so that I can at least know how the other half live. 😉 Merry Christmas!
Gosh, just thinking back at the amount of feasts last month. I feel so bloated!
Woaah! Serious celebrations! Dunno how you managed to keep up with it all! 🙂 The neighbourhood Christmas party seems like such a lovely idea!
Other than the food blogger picnic I didn’t have any other pre-Christmas parties to attend, but Brad and I shuttled back and forth between my place and his place for lots and lots of food….OooOoghn….
Also, I made the chocolate banana bread as well. Still dreaming about your trifle!!
haha, tell me about it. Thanks for the update, I have made the relevant amendments ma dear!
Good seeing ya over the break
Belated Merry Christmas 🙂 I love that mantra eat like you’ll never see food again aahaha i think i’ve been doing exactly that 😛
I think it will be my 2012 mantra!
Ooo, everything looks delicious.
So much choice, I didn’t know where to start!
THANK YOU! I LVOE YOU LONG TIME FOR MY TRIFLE! IT WAS MINE!! Hahahahaha.. I made the boring cauliflower rice, and avocado, coriander and celery salad.
Agnes made the Lamb… I can’t remember what else, but I loved your pork belly as well… MmMmm
Love ya long time too! 😛
My pleasure, I heart trifle!
Omg… EPIC EATING ALL THE WAYYY! And your mum sounds like such a big hearted, joyous and light-spirited woman. Powerhouse for bringing the whole community together like that. MAD PROPS. Seeing food really bring people together from all walks of life has really been one of the main reasons why I love it so much, more than the taste and everything. Beautiful stuff. You must be so proud of your momma! Respect!!!
Tell me bout it. Yes, mum is pure sunshine. And yes, total RESPECT. Thanks!!!!!!!!
No-one does epic feasts like you do Adrian! And I love the idea of a street party although I live on a very busy main street so I don’t know how that would go 😛
Street parties are far and few these days. But yes, a busy street may not be ideal LOL
What a super festive post- loved the array of celebration as well as food photos. You and your family know how to celebrate as well as cook. Also the get together with the blogger friends is pretty cool. Definitely something to remember in years to come. Well done!
Yes, we love getting together and finding any excuse to eat!
Best. Matra. Ever! And with a feast like that, completely appropriate! 😉 Happy New Year 🙂 its been such a pleasure reading you blog. Cant wait for more in 2012!! 😀 x
haha, knew you’d appreciate it 🙂
Wow, after reading about all your festive feasts, I wonder how you manage to stay so trim! And don’t say it’s your metabolism because I’ll never believe you. Your mama sure knows how to throw a fab party…in fact, I’m thinking of moving to your neighborhood before next year’s do! Have a la la la laaaarvely year ahead, Adrian!
I must have some good genes…from my mum of course. 😛
There is just so much there that I love the look of. How good is that trifle! But I think I like the idea of the street party the best – what a great way to bring people together. Happy New Year!
Yes, the annual xmas party is a highlight everyone looks forward too. Plus, the food is a good allure
Adrian, it astounds me that you’re not a mega fattie with all the food you eat. 😉 Hope you had a fantastic Christmas and New Years. Catch up for more feasting soon! x
haha, It must be all the running with Cookie
How do you still manage to stay so slim with all the food you consume! No fair! 🙂
Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas. Best wishes for the new year!
hehe, thanks April. It must be my genes I guess. That and plenty of damn excersise
i love all your parties, especially the street party, i have been thinking i should try and start one in our street, you’ve inspired me (well your mum!), this year should be the year 🙂 bumma about the plastic fork bbq tool, hehe
I look forward to the xmas party every year. Such a touching event
So so much food. How do we fit it all in?
here here
What a killer, that Creamy. My kitty opened her present on her own, at least partially. No devourment of it, though:)
Love the sound of excessive, frequent feasting. Not as much the sad giveaway eyes and heavy head:P
Creamy loves xmas. She knows she gets pressies 🙂
omg your mum’s glazed ham looks so freakin fantastic!
Def worth the 4 hour wait!
Wow that is a lot of Christmas feasting. Love the fact that you have a huge ham for a small family – we do that as well. It’s great because you get more leftovers!
To add to that, mum makes a 2nd ham for New Years! CrazazazazazY!
Oh my gosh, everything looks amazing! So jealous of your BBQ – my partner would love to try Tocino – I’m going to have to tell him about them. I’m normally not a fan of trifle – but yours looks beautiful – love the fresh berries on top!
For Christmas we had a big feast – ham, turkey, pork belly, oysters, terrine, vegies. I made a Christmas Pudding and a White Chocolate and Creme Fraiche mousse for dessert and we drank lots of Pisco Sours!
Tocino rocks, I shall post a recipe soon for ya!
Wow, your xmas also sounded like a blast! YUM.
Happy New Year, Adrian! (Best blog post title ever, by the way.) Mossies go wild for your blood because of all the deliciousness you consume. And I’m thinking all Christmas trees should come with an encircling train set now, hmmm…
hehe, thanks Rita! I think you’re onto something. I knew there was a reason why mossies love my blood! wah