h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

it's Kathleen, the interested Foodie) I wanted to send you a typical Canadian Christmas Feast menue but I've been in the hospital and Christmas dining is not on top of my priority list! I knew that you are a Civil Servant but exactly what so you do within your government? Every Civil Servant has an expertise. I'm 49, artistic and definately afraid of Big Brother-i.e. any government whether it be Democratic or otherwise. K

Hi Kathleen,

Very nice to hear from you. Sorry you've been laid up, I hope it wasn't anything too serious. I can understand that you've had other things on your mind apart from food & drink.

Yes I am a civil servant. I'm known as the Business Manager for the Harrier Integrated Project Team which provides logistic and engineering support to the Harrier aircraft fleets of the RAF and Royal Navy. Actually that sounds a good deal grander than it is! My job is mainly admin.

I would love to know what a typical Canadian Christmas menu is like and also how Christmas is viewed in Canada. It's not a very religious festival for most people these days in UK; more to do with feating and light and present giving. We will be very traditionally British on the food front this year - Roast Capon, with roast potatoes and brussel sprouts followed by Christmas pudding with rum butter (I made the puddings myself so I hope they turn out ok!)and no doubt some sort of starter. There will also be sherry, wine and port or brandy(maybe even both!). I have done some quite untraditional Christmas meals in my time, including two vegetarian ones.

The Foodie Forum seems to have fallen by the wayside a bit. I tried to keep it going but got tired of making all the running. I think I'll give it another go in the New Year though. We should be able to start some interesting threads I think.

Have a great Christmas and New Year!

Love to hear from you,

Stephen

I'm on the mend. This year, Christmas will be low key. I'm feeding my daughters, one son-inlaw, his mother and my husband. I didn't want to do the traditional Canadian Turkey or ham but I received much protest. So here's the menu- Stuffed Turkey, mashed potatos,glazed carrots, Frenched green beans with toasted almonds, Broccoli. Desert will be Hazlenut Torte and Mince tarts . Pre- dinner, I will offer Hot Crab dip. Of course, the wine will flow. In all, a relatively ordinary meal. Are you an aeronautical engineer? I ask because my 21 yr. old God-daughter is studying to be one. She earned her pilot's licence at age 17! I'm so envious. I have flown a small plane once in the air, flown in an ultralight and I used to sky-dive. But OHHHHH I'd really like to obtain a pilot's license! Merry Christmas to you and yours, keep well . Kathleen

Stephen- Post note- the mince tarts will be accomanied by Rum Butter9we call it hard sauce here.) Canadian Christmas in my mind is not viewed as a religious time of year but a overwhelming state of pressure, demands made on everyone and an overindulgence of present giving. The stress to perform is extreme. The very definition of Christmas in North America simply widens the gap between the haves and have nots . /because my family is Agnostic, Christmas for us is a time of giving nd being thankful for what we have Personally, I don't celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving because that is an over inflated American tradition. How many times a year are we supposed to be thankful with a day off? Anyway, I'll toast a glass "To Absent Friends"- another family tradition. Cheers, Kathleen

Hi again!

No I'm not an Aeronautical Engineer, I am an administrator, computer programmer, manager...all that kind of thing. I'm also a trained professional photographer but that's another story..I don't earn my living at it any more!

Your Christmas dinner doesn't sound ordinary to me; it sound lovely! Cooking in my experience is much more a matter of the the skill and dedication of the cook than the ingredients. Your menu sound terrific and I'm sure you will get the best out of it!

We too are an agnostic household. I have been trying to think of an acceptable, simpler, less indulgent way of celebrating the mid-winter festival for some years but haven't really come up with anything. We tend to go for quality rather than quantitiy these day - good ingredients, better wine than we usually drink, that kind of thing - but it still gets pretty OTT most years. We are entertaining my wife's 89 year old, recently widowed, father and her brother and sister-in-law this year! I doubt it'll be a bundle of laughs but there you go! We'll keep a bottle of something decent forl after they've gone!

A merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours! We'll kick-start the forum again in January!

Best Wishes

Stephen