2011-12-21T00:00:00Z Copyright 2012 Bron Marshall Bron Marshall Magazine http://www.bronmarshall.com/2011/christmas/bronmarshall.jpg http://bronmarshall.com/favicon.ico Bron Marshall http://bronmarshall.com/2011/christmas/index.html 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 Christmas

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Bron Marshall http://bronmarshall.com/2011/christmas/table_contents.html 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 Christmas

~ Bron's Thoughts for Christmas 2011
~ Australia BBQ Chili Mango Prawns
~ Brazil Pudim de Leite Condensado

~ Canada Chocolate Pecan Butter Tartlets

~ France Buche de Noel

~ ... ]]>

Bron Marshall http://bronmarshall.com/2011/christmas/brons_thoughts_for_christmas_2011.html 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 Christmas

Growing up I always longed for a huge 10 foot plus Christmas tree decorated just like the ones in the department stores with matching sets of lights, ornaments and garlands. Matching sets of linen, plates, cutlery and glasses on the Christmas table. Matching wrapping paper on all the presents under the tree too. All coordinated down to their ribbons and tags. Tidy, matching sets. It never happened, but I thought sets would be the way to make everything perfect on that day.
Maybe it's with increasing age or maturity (I'm not sure - especially with the latter), but nowadays I realise that Christmas is not about creating matching sets at all. It's about celebrating the individual, and when I say Christmas I mean all ... ]]>

Bron Marshall http://bronmarshall.com/2011/christmas/australia_bbq_chili_mango_prawns.html 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 Christmas

Aussies, BBQs and Prawns are synonymous with Summer down under and why not, they're bloody good!
I adore prawns on the barbecue, I'm hellishly jealous of the prawns, Moreton Bay bugs and luscious mangoes Australia grows. This is my hat tip to our neighbours across the ditch.
Click here for BBQ Chili Mango Prawns Recipe

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Bron Marshall http://bronmarshall.com/2011/christmas/brazil_pudim_de_leite_condensado.html 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 Christmas

The French call it Crème Caramel, the Mexican's Flan. Definitely a dessert for celebration. This Brazilian version of caramel topped custard with sweetened condensed milk is rich and lusciously smooth.
Click here for Pudim de Leite Condensado Crème Caramel with Condensed Milk Recipe
For the Caramel
When making the caramel it always pays to take extra care as the sugar reaches extremely high temperatures. As a precaution, I fill the kitchen sink with cold water and make sure I have an oven or heat resistant cloth handy.
For the Condensed Milk Custard
To serve, turn the custard out on ... ]]>

Bron Marshall http://bronmarshall.com/2011/christmas/canada_chocolate_pecan_butter_tartlets.html 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 Christmas

Butter Tarts are a common Canadian offering in the Winter. Studded with moreish pecans and my addition of dark chocolate chips they are an addictive treat. Also perfect as an alternative for people who aren't fond of Christmas Fruit mince pies.
Click here for Chocolate Pecan Butter Tartlets Recipe
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Bron Marshall http://bronmarshall.com/2011/christmas/france_buche_de_noel.html 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 Christmas

The French Buche de Noel or Yule log needs no introduction. This one is easily put together with simple steps that can be made in advance and includes a lighter chocolate cream compared to the often richer buttercream and mousse varieties.
When making the meringue mushrooms don't worry if they seem a little funky to begin with, once glued together and placed within the log they will look right at home - remember not all fungi are created equal and neither should yours.
Click here for Sponge Roll Recipe Click here for Chocolate Cream ... ]]>

Bron Marshall http://bronmarshall.com/2011/christmas/greece_kourabiedes_scented_almond_shortbread.html 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 Christmas

Kourabiedes are wonderfully scented Greek almond shortbread. The shortbread themselves are not particularly sweet until they are drenched in plenty of powdered sugar. There are many similar versions throughout the Mediterranean area sometimes using different toasted nuts.
Click here for Kourabiedes / Scented Almond Shortbread Recipe
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Bron Marshall http://bronmarshall.com/2011/christmas/germany_gluhwein.html 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 Christmas

Glühwein is the German version of Mulled Wine. My memories of Gluhwein transport me back to sipping and clutching a glass to keep warm while wandering around their many and magnificent Weihnachtsmarkt / Christmas markets.
Click here for Glühwein Recipe
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Bron Marshall http://bronmarshall.com/2011/christmas/india_cream_cheese_cumin_murukku.html 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 Christmas

Murukku or Chakli as they are also known are a traditional Indian snack made during Diwali - the festival of lights and other celebrations. Typically they are made with a special Murukku press and coiled into spirals. I made mine using a forcer or spritz cookie press.
Click here for Indian Cream Cheese and Cumin Murukku Recipe

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Bron Marshall http://bronmarshall.com/2011/christmas/italy_panforte.html 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 Christmas

Siena in Italy is the place to thank for this wonderfully indulgent Christmas cake. This version is gluten free and will keep well for a long while, that is if it's not in front of me!
Click here for Panforte Recipe
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Bron Marshall http://bronmarshall.com/2011/christmas/japan_christmas_rudolph_bento.html 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 Christmas

Creating a Japanese inspired Bento Box or lunch is a fun way to use up your Christmas leftovers, as well as keep the Christmas spirit alive with kids after the big day.
Here I've made Rudolph with brown rice onigiri and a cream cheese filled Pepperdew for his red nose. He is surrounded by omelette and ham parcels wrapped with chive ribbons. A quick web search is sure to give you plenty more ideas for Christmas themed Bento characters. You could try a simple snowman, Santa himself or perhaps a Christmas cat.
Click here for Onigiri Rice Recipe
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Bron Marshall http://bronmarshall.com/2011/christmas/new_zealand_ice_cream_christmas_puddings.html 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 Christmas

New Zealand is well known for its love of dairy products and ice cream in particular. As Christmas is celebrated in Summer in the land of the long white cloud ice cream is often featured at the Christmas dessert table alongside the nation's famous Pavlova. Variations of this fruit studded ice cream pudding often replace the traditional boiled or steamed Christmas pudding.
Click here for Ice Cream Christmas pudding Recipe
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Bron Marshall http://bronmarshall.com/2011/christmas/england_christmas_ham.html 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 2011-12-21T00:00:00Z +1200 Christmas

Glazed Hams at Christmas are universal, however I believe they probably started in England with roast Gammon being certainly very popular there. They are always a crowd pleaser and a great way to feed a lot of people. This quantity of glaze will suit a much larger ham than mine in the photo, which was a smaller approximately 4½kg leg.
Click here for Traditional English Glazed Christmas Ham Recipe
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