Traditional Aussie Christmas food....
Being a recent arrival in Australia I still have a lot to learn about Australian culture and cookery, especially at Christmas. I have been used to cold, crisp winters days with plates piled high with steaming hot food. Here in Australia, Christmas day is often in the 30 degree plus zone. Hot food is not quite so appetising and cold foods and barbies are part of the Aussie tradition. When my friend Maree asked me if I was interested in a day course teaching traditional Aussie Christmas fare I jumped at the chance.
Along we went this morning into the middle of Newcastle to a big kitchen supplies shop. It sold every plate, saucepan and kitchen gadget imaginable. Heaven! On one end of the shop was a kitchen with a large mirror suspended from the ceiling allowing everyone to have a birds eye view of the work surface below. We took our seats, fresh cup of coffee in hand and watched Chef Glen work his magic over 6 courses.
As each course was cooked it was plated and passed around for us all to eat. With most courses came a glass of wine that suited the taste of the meal. Bubbles with the oysters, Chardonnay with the spice crusted leg of Ham, Sticky Syrup Dessert wine with the macadamia nut pudding....
By the end of the morning we rolled out of the shop, stuffed and full of loads of ideas of what to cook at home but no appetite to get stuck in straight away!
