[bob_the_engineer]

:laugh it seems every other UK person is in search of a turkey, I’m beginning to feel like a bit of an old-hand at kiwi Christmas’s we get two a year here, one is called the mid winter feast where we all pretend its Christmas because its winter, and the other one is in December.

Something I’ve learnt is a lot of kiwis won’t entertain the idea of eating turkey, “dry horrid meat, why are you eating that!”.

I started off with pork and then went onto a leg of lamb on the BBQ, but do what the kiwis do and go for the ham!

Its going to cost you about $90, but it is stunning and it’s about the size of your head! I’ve never prepared one myself, its always been done for me in the past, but I intend to find out just how to do it this year.

Forget the turkey, your in a land of better things, go for a big plate of stringy tasty ham, more of a tradition in NZ!

Here’s a comparison:

Gordon Ramsay in the UK and his large ham (1 to 1.5kg)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/gordon_ramsay/article394213.ece

Kiwi version 4 or 5 kg :clap bring on the ham
http://www.nzdeli.co.nz/Web%20Forms/DeliProduct.aspx?ProductID=51



Bob

[benandclare]

We've a large ham 3.5 kgs of the little beaut :D Courtesy of my boss

[bob_the_engineer]

:D Kiwi companies are cool

bob

[gil]

No desire for turkey here!

[Moorf]

Defo a huge ham to see us through Xmas :nice1 done ala Nigella's coke recipe..

[sizzlingbadger]

Have to say we're having turkey and all the trimmings this year :D

Got a real craving for it after not having turkey for so many years it's the must have. Rarely cooked it for Christmas Dinner in the UK always beef Wellington or something along those lines.

But we will also be having the big ham courtesy of the butcher :nice1 Freezing half of it and eating half of it over Christmas, New Year and probably the rest of the year :o

[Nick88]

I agree completely, we're having fish. I'd have chicken over turkey any day.

[Myrkk]

dry horrid meat????

they ain't cooking it right then. :roll

We celebrate Yule which in the UK is the 21st December and in New Zealand will be the 21st June. All about the new year ahead and the lengthening of the days, looking forward to more abundant times etc. Sounds like some UK expats are going back to their Pagan roots :D :nice1

[incredible hulse]

Full turkey dinner cooked with the help of Delia to ensure not a dry meat in sight. She never fails us. Can't see the appeal of ham - good for the sarnies and that's about it for me

[Jules]

Full turkey dinner cooked with the help of Delia to ensure not a dry meat in sight. She never fails us. Can't see the appeal of ham - good for the sarnies and that's about it for me

Totally agree.... we are having a full roast turkey dinner, cooked by my lovely friend..:raebanana

Jules :nice1

[kanatakiwi]

Full turkey dinner cooked with the help of Delia to ensure not a dry meat in sight. She never fails us. Can't see the appeal of ham - good for the sarnies and that's about it for me

what is Delia's secret? I have heard from several people that NZ turkeys are dry, and tough, and I am scared to shell out that money and treat the rellies to this big deal real christmas dinner which none of them have ever had !!! only to find out it is nearly inedible!
help!
G

[Xaviera]

Cook your turkey properly and it will be perfectly fine and moist.

Not my preferred meat for Xmas - love a beautiful ham and lots of seafood - crayfish tails halved coated with garlicky herby butter and cooked on the barbie is one of my family's favourites. And champagne cocktails - sparkling wines with a bit of liquor (I think we use Grand Marnier) and lots of squished and halved strawberries and mint.

But a well cooked turkey with cranberry stuffing is also delicious. Don't you just love Christmas indulgence foods!

Merry Christmas to you all :raebanana

[incredible hulse]

what is Delia's secret? I have heard from several people that NZ turkeys are dry, and tough, and I am scared to shell out that money and treat the rellies to this big deal real christmas dinner which none of them have ever had !!! only to find out it is nearly inedible!
help!
G

Out of memory it's rub all over the turkey with loads of butter and then lay out bacon rashers on top of the turkey; then foil over the tin loosely. Cook on a really high heat for the first 45 mins and then reduce temp and cook at a lower temp for the rest (I think with the foil off) . Hasn't failed us yet - we had an NZ turkey (non frozen) last year and it was very good. Just ordered again - 12.99/kg

[Carol]

Turkey?
Ham?

Nah. Bring on the whole beef fillet please.... it is such a treat and is DIVINE!

Ham's fine for boxing day.... but not without our customary pease pud - which I've been forced to learn how to make myself!
lol



AND - I've discovered......SCAMPI in Moore Wilsons!
:raebanana:raebanana

[wales4eva]

I have cooked my last ugly bird for the very last time and I can honestly say..I aint gonna miss it..but it took me only 1 meal to love the bird..thanks motherinlaw...:nice1
When I get back to Auckland I will hassle my bro to rack up a "hangi" of pork,mutton,beef,kumara and chicken...vege of course..if I cant get that then Im slapping up a BBQ...

:nice1