Christmas morning dawned cold and frosty - despite the 'meteo's prediction of rain - and there was bright sunshine in a pale blue sky.
Yes, I had slept through till daylight after a late meal for 'Reveillon'. The French usually have a banquet (perhaps after midnight mass if they are 'croyants') followed by a grand opening of presents. We decided to compromise with our own special menu and just open one present each.
Jay cooked a relatively simple but delicious dinner comprising a grilled pepper salad, his own recipe for fish pie: cod, marinated in white wine and lemon juice and topped with a mixture of breadcrumbs, parsley and garlic then baked till crispy - cheese, and then a black forest 'buche' from the local bakery.
Of course, the meal was well 'watered' with champagne and wine and ended with a digestif - hence the 'grasse matinée' (late start!)
But Christmas Day was relaxing this year. No getting up at the crack of dawn to put the turkey in the oven and the pudding over the steamer. It was to be a turkey and pud-free meal in the evening.
We had a late breakfast of scrambled egg with smoked salmon accompanied by champagne (oh the decadence) and then we all sat round the fire to open our presents. All except Bear, that is. He stayed in bed nursing a painful shoulder.
In the afternoon Yvette brought her husband and grandaughter round for nibbles and more champagne. It was a kind of combination of 'apero', and dessert. We ate the savouries as nibbles before our meal while Yvette's family enjoyed the mince pies and sweetmeats as they had already had lunch.
Then it was time for the big experiment - our unconventional Christmas Dinner. Jay and CC did the honours and this was the menu:
Melon balls in Port
Shrimps on a bed of lettuce with mayonnaise and vinaigrette
Carrot and Pinenut roast with sprouts, carrots, roast potatoes, mushroom sauce and (homemade) cranberry sauce.
A selection of cheese: chaource, brie, beaufort, fourme d'ambert
An icecream buche with raspberry coulis.
We rounded off the meal with coffee and cognac - bliss.
