Just (holiday) desserts

In case you’re stumped for caloric excess this holiday season, the WSJ has a story on Christmas-centric desserts out of Europe.

The one I’m most familiar with is panettone, which is pretty easy to find in the US. & I happen to like the candied fruit concept. Although I don’t particularly think of it as a dessert—I like it toasted with tea in the afternoon.

The plum pudding—well, the only example of that I’ve ever had was at the holiday lunch at the company canteen in Maidenhead. (Maidenhead is right next to Bray, where the Fat Duck mentioned in the article is located; but it’s a world away from any kind of Michelin recognition.) Like pretty much everything that came out of that kitchen, it was revolting. I was so looking forward to it because of Mrs. Cratchit’s success in A Christmas Carol; but that one time kind of put me off.

& I haven’t noticed plum pudding being “obligatory” everywhere, or even everywhere in the English-speaking nations, as claimed by the UK food writer. Even my friends in Britain don’t make it, they make Christmas cake, which is a form of fruitcake covered with marzipan & icing.

I do like mince pie, which is also huge in Britain. Only there it’s not “pie”, but “pies”—little tarts, really. Which you pick up with your fingers & eat without bothering with a fork, & let the crust crumbs be damned.

This was commented upon by the Navy Chaplain at the US Embassy during the Thanksgiving service held for Americans at St. Paul’s cathedral. He was letting the newbies know what to expect from Christmas (the Brits don’t bother with any other winter holidays; it’s all Christmas, all the time), & he was absolutely spot on.

At any rate, I pass this story on as a public service to holiday makers everywhere.