Originating from England I had never heard of Julia Childs, we had a British version called Fanny Cradock. Fanny Cradock was not her original name but that was the name that we all knew her by. She had a long suffering husband called Johnnie, he appeared on her cooking shows and he wore a monacle. From all accounts she was a bit of a tyrannt and that he was indeed very long suffering......
But much in the same way as Julia Childs taught young ladies how to cook in the United States. I can remember watching Fanny Cradock on the televison producing a wonderful feast and making all young women believe that they too could learn to cook......
When I eventually moved to the States I was able to watch the very tall Julia Childs whipping up something delicious and making it look easy for the very first time. I was spell bound by her demeanour and speaking voice and the times she was lampooned on 'Saturday Day Night Live'......
Because of this late introduction to the great Julia I was really looking forward to watching the movie 'Julie & Julia'. I can honestly say that I loved the movie. I do not know how true to life it actually was but by the end of the movie I felt that in some small way I knew her......
Over the many years of my marriage I have learned to cook and enjoy the experience. When I was first married I made many mistakes including leaving the little baggy inside of the chicken and then roasting it. My face was a picture as I carved my first roast chicken and some of the gibblets fell out while I was performing this important task......
For most of my life the truly British Sunday roast dinner was a ritual in our home and just about every household across the British Isles. No Sunday would be complete without the smell of roast chicken, beef or lamb wafting from the open doors of homes across the nation......
Come dishing up time everything would come to a standstill. Children would change out of their Sunday best, little hands would be washed and tummies rumbled. This was the best part of the weekend where great company and good food was enjoyed and everyone could catch up with what happened that week. Truly family bonding at it's finest......
Every Sunday my mother and my second dad Brian would come over to our house and a full roast dinner including roast potatoes, roast onions, roast parsnips, peas, carrots, brussels sprouts, stuffing, Yorkshire puddings and delicious gravy poured over the top would greet everyone. This would be followed with a made from scratch pastry apple pie with custard and a dollop of Devonshire icecream over the top......
By the time I had finished this feat I would have the privilege of leaving the clearing up and sitting down. My mum, Brian and my husband would take over the kitchen and work as a team to wash and clear up. We did not have a dish washer so this simple task was really appreciated......
Now when I look back I realise that I used to prepare and serve up a Thanksgiving dinner every Sunday. The funny thing is that when you have made it as often as I have it becomes second nature. You really get into the swing of things and become a true pro. I have literally cooked this meal over 1,300 times, I find that hard to believe looking back but it is true......
Christmas Crackers......
The roast dinner is still my husband and son's favourite meal of all time and when I make one there is a small stampede for the table. It is the one meal that I know everyone will attend, be on time and we can sit, relax and talk. Though of course when it is prepared for Christmas we also sit with our Christmas crackers pulled and funny paper hats on our heads. Another truly British past-time, that on Boxing Day and Christmas Day we will happily look silly and sport our paper hats while reading to each other the worst jokes on the planet that come with the crackers......
Memories are made of times like this and cherished for ever. Today dear Brian is no longer with us and my mother is in England but I will always have the memories of those wonderful halcyon days when we all sat together and wore our silly hats......
I also know that I will again go back to England to live and to spend my mother's remaining years close to her and again prepare the family roast dinner. Traditions will begin again and life will go full circle......
And yes, I will be cooking our favourite roast dinner meal this weekend,
Mmmmm, good......
1 comments:
I think, long, long, ago I did the same thing about forgetting the bag of giblets. As I remember, it was not a company dinner, so I was saved a bit.
Cooking is not one of my "forte's". Hubby says I am an excellent cook, I don't know why...honestly! I would rather be sewing or painting than in the kitchen and I put it off 'til the very last minute! lol!
Hope you are having a great weekend! It is definitely Fall here and soon I will be in a waiting for spring mode!
Jil
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