Look what we made with the “treasure” we found in the rather compact “foreign muck” section of the supermarket! Considering I didn’t actually get anything on the day itself, this could well have been my present from Saint Nicholas – I just had to search for it: –
Yes, yes, I know you can make your own mincemeat, but somehow the decent jarred stuff is always my favourite when it comes to mince pies. I have had to explain a couple of things about them on numerous occasions recently (thanks mostly to the International Food Fair we had at school) – a) they are not actually called mint pies, and b) that they don’t usually tend to contain any meat (well at least not these days anyway) which is hardly a surprising assumption given the name I guess…
By far my favourite English Christmas Food misunderstanding actually happened at the weekend, and came from some good Danish friends. We had arranged a Christmas gathering sharing seasonal food from our home countries… Along with the mince pies (family recipe here in case you are in need of one!) sausage rolls, smorrebrød, and Flæskesteg (Danish Roast Pork) to name but a few dishes, Mr R got well into the Christmas spirit and had made a spectacular Yule Log for the occasion, which was graciously given pride of place by our hosts. It was only after the plates had been cleared away (and a glass or two of champagne) that they confessed that they had thought it looked very much like a bit of tree, but hadn’t wanted to say so out of fear of hurting our feelings…
When it comes to life as an Expat, it’s these kind of cultural misunderstandings that are definitely my favourite… I am just glad we hadn’t invited them for tea, they might have eaten beforehand!
They do look lovely. I make my own mincemeat in bulk and then it lasts for a few years if bottled properly. This year we are eating a lovely 2010 vintage.
They sound gorgeous! I will ask you for your recipe for next year! xx
:)) yes, cultural misunderstandings do liven things up, don’t they? I remember being in hospital just after my daughter was born, and being asked what i would like for tea. And I remember being too embarrassed to tell them that I was really hungry, and would actually like dinner and not tea, please.
The tea thing is very confusing isn’t it? Thanks Pia! :) x
A chocolate tree?!
We have some strange customs don’t we! :D
I was given a jar of homemade mincemeat yesterday by the teacher of the Year 2 class I help. She also gave me some cranberry and brandy sauce and a chutney. So I must now make some mince pies instead of buying the processed supemarket ones. Have nipped back to look at your family recipe. Ta very much!
How rude they weren’t keen on your husband’s log! ;-))
She sounds like a fabulous teacher to work with! I think they did like his log, but couldn’t quite understand that it was actually meant to be a log… :D
Ha, love this! I find myself explaining on almost a daily basis at the moment that mince pies aren’t actually made from mince meat. It’s very confusing for the Swiss.
P.S. No British visitors are allowed through my door at this time of year without packing a jar of Robertsons mincemenat in their case for me.
Thank you! I actually have a jar left, can’t quite believe it! Right, time for more mince pies then! :D