First of all, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, etc. to you and yours!
For me, the holidays are always about the food. Naturally. But, I guess there are people out there (mostly of the younger set) who feel the holidays are about The Stuff. The loot. What Santa brings. Etc. Etc. PlayStations, Xboxes and televisions and iPads and iPhones were the gifts given to young people I know...which make Brent and I look like miserly Grinches because we gave Legos, painting sets, and promises to our children.
But I say to you: did any of those kids have a six-course, all-day Hobbit feast for their Christmas Day dinner?
No, they did not.
The Hobbit meal idea was borne of the recent release of the final Hobbit movie this month Diehard Tolkien fans know that Hobbits eat several meals a day including a first and second breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner and supper...not to mention a mid-morning meal called Elevenses.
This idea is a little repellent to non-Tolkien fans...after all, it does seem like a lot of food. And, recreating a Hobbit Christmas feast meant spending most of the day with the same people.
And in this case, moderation is key. Let us begin...
The inspiration began with an NPR article (read here) and recipes found here. I decided on six meals instead of the traditional seven.
The morning began at 8 am with a light breakfast of saffron cream scones, homemade Devonshire cream, and lemon curd. Also, an assortment of coffee and teas were offered...as it is the Hobbit way.
After present-opening, it was nearly time for second breakfast. This meal was a little less Hobbitish, and consisted of pancakes, sausage, and bacon.
In between meals, we played Pin The Tail On Smaug and Riddles In The Dark. Before we knew it, it was 11 o'clock and time for Elevenses. And Elevenses consisted of Lembas (an Elvish waybread) and Merry's Mulled Cider. We also played the clip from the first Lord of the Rings where Legolas explains that a small bite of lembas fills the stomach of a grown man...and then Merry and Pippin divulge they've eaten four of the wafers.
After this time, most of the Hobbit guests left to go take naps or showers...to reconvene at one for luncheon.
Lunch was simple...cold cuts, cheeses, and crackers. It was gone within minutes. Then, we began the first Hobbit movie. Fitting, yes?
Afternoon tea was at three. Lemon-lavender muffins with fruit...and I will be making these muffins again. They were light and floral and delicious. And of course, a selection of teas and coffees were available.
And shortly before this meal, I began working on this...
The centerpiece of the supper meal. The prime rib...certainly a favorite of Dwarves across Middle-Earth. Supper was at six...
The finished, crusted prime rib...
On a plate with a good drop of the Old Winyard, laid down by Balbo Baggins, along with Mushrooms ala Gandalf, and Farmer Maggot's carrots...
Topped off by a blackberry tart from Bree...
As good as the Shire could afford! Happy Holidays!
For me, the holidays are always about the food. Naturally. But, I guess there are people out there (mostly of the younger set) who feel the holidays are about The Stuff. The loot. What Santa brings. Etc. Etc. PlayStations, Xboxes and televisions and iPads and iPhones were the gifts given to young people I know...which make Brent and I look like miserly Grinches because we gave Legos, painting sets, and promises to our children.
But I say to you: did any of those kids have a six-course, all-day Hobbit feast for their Christmas Day dinner?
No, they did not.
The Hobbit meal idea was borne of the recent release of the final Hobbit movie this month Diehard Tolkien fans know that Hobbits eat several meals a day including a first and second breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner and supper...not to mention a mid-morning meal called Elevenses.
This idea is a little repellent to non-Tolkien fans...after all, it does seem like a lot of food. And, recreating a Hobbit Christmas feast meant spending most of the day with the same people.
And in this case, moderation is key. Let us begin...
The inspiration began with an NPR article (read here) and recipes found here. I decided on six meals instead of the traditional seven.
The morning began at 8 am with a light breakfast of saffron cream scones, homemade Devonshire cream, and lemon curd. Also, an assortment of coffee and teas were offered...as it is the Hobbit way.
After present-opening, it was nearly time for second breakfast. This meal was a little less Hobbitish, and consisted of pancakes, sausage, and bacon.
In between meals, we played Pin The Tail On Smaug and Riddles In The Dark. Before we knew it, it was 11 o'clock and time for Elevenses. And Elevenses consisted of Lembas (an Elvish waybread) and Merry's Mulled Cider. We also played the clip from the first Lord of the Rings where Legolas explains that a small bite of lembas fills the stomach of a grown man...and then Merry and Pippin divulge they've eaten four of the wafers.
After this time, most of the Hobbit guests left to go take naps or showers...to reconvene at one for luncheon.
Lunch was simple...cold cuts, cheeses, and crackers. It was gone within minutes. Then, we began the first Hobbit movie. Fitting, yes?
Afternoon tea was at three. Lemon-lavender muffins with fruit...and I will be making these muffins again. They were light and floral and delicious. And of course, a selection of teas and coffees were available.
And shortly before this meal, I began working on this...
The centerpiece of the supper meal. The prime rib...certainly a favorite of Dwarves across Middle-Earth. Supper was at six...
The finished, crusted prime rib...
On a plate with a good drop of the Old Winyard, laid down by Balbo Baggins, along with Mushrooms ala Gandalf, and Farmer Maggot's carrots...
Topped off by a blackberry tart from Bree...
As good as the Shire could afford! Happy Holidays!
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