Dinner For Eight

They loved Roast Turkey
"Come home, have dinner with us, and we will have a roast turkey", that was what I said to Mel casually.  She did come home together with her husband Lance and her four children, Mary Rose, Thomas, Henry and Lily.
Cooking a roast turkey for the last day of the year to be thankful for and appreciate what we have was very appropriate. The roast could have been better, but. .they said that they loved it.

The roast Turkey

Roast Turkey with Nuts and Raisins Stuffing
Garnished with Fresh Herbs

Melanie, Lily and Henry arrived at about three o'clock, and Lance, Mary Rose and Thomas came twenty minutes later. The children and everyone were outside in the backyard, enjoyed the fresh air and the garden.

In the backyard with Mel's Family

Early in the morning, the table was done; everything was organised. The preparation was kind enough to get all the things to go smoothly.

Table for Eight, No Entree but with Dessert

I like to rest the roast for one hour, I did that while I prepared the vegetables.  The roast potatoes were the best I ever cooked, well at least one I did it right.

The gravy was delicious, silky and has a fruity taste.  If you like this flavour, I tell you what I did. Place the stuffed turkey which is ready to roast on a bed of sliced apple, orange, onion, and grapes. Cook the roast in a slow oven, and add stock or water now and then, don't let the roasting pan get dry.  This way, you get fruity and delicious juices.  Strain and thicken the sauce to have a lovely thick gravy and add some butter at the end to achieve silky texture. 

The dinner was served as planned, the grandkids ate little, but well, even they loved the stuffing. The turkey was flavoursome and delicious but overcooked.  It was plenty of leftovers which I could have for the filling of sandwiches.

Turkey and Mustard Finger Sandwiches

The Grand Kids - The Next Day

Breakfast at Nana's is served by Pop, or most of the time 'prepare yourself breakfast'.  Pop cooked porridge for them.  They were so good, ate all the breakfast,  for that they were allowed to have little cakes-my mini rose sponge.

Mini Rose Sponge Cake

Having the children home is always busy, so it was.  Rayner took them to play at the park, Mel went out for shopping, and I was at home busy cooking for the luncheon as we were expecting Thomas' Godparents.   The menu: Cheese and spinach pie with Susy's water pastry served with garden salad,  turkey sandwiches, Lemper (Javanese Rice Rolls) and sausages (for the children) followed by sweets and coffee.  The sweets: Brioche with apple poach in red wine syrup and peach and mango square cakes.

The Brioche with Apple Poached in Red Wine Syrup

Peach and Mango Squares Cakes

Lunch with Us

In Our Backyard 

Lance, Mel and Henry

Lily in a pretty dress

Melanie, Lily, Henry and Rayner

Susy serving the salad, Lucy, John and Melanie

Mary Rose was happily reading a book

A lovely time at the New Year's Eve with Friends

Susy and Rayner

with Lucy, John, Melanie and Lance.

The Grand Kids

Lucy and John left about half-past three for Melbourne, thanks for visiting.  Mel's family left about five o'clock in the afternoon, and they had a pleasant drive home.  They got back quickly, it was a relief.

The Dinner for eight was excellent, we were together at the same table, as it does not happen very often, I made the best of it.



The Luncheon was pleasant, it was good to have family and friends around.




The First Day Of The New Year 2014
Until Next Post
Susy