Christmas Day with Maman Blanc

Hello friends

In many homes across the world, the Xmas lunch was being prepared. Kitchens are busy. My Maman started at 6am this morning: she cannot help it. I joined her at a respectable 7am. 

The wine is being cooled, the silver is being polished. Maman's best tablecloth - the silvery one - is spread across the table. Le gâteau à la crème is baking, the escargots are bing stuffed with garlic butter. I am contemplating the opening of 120 oysters (with the wrong knife!), and then I shall go for the searing of six Canards du Challand (delicious ducks). My pruneaux d'Agen are steeped in a Martell XO cognac and a light syrup. By midday the ducks will be cooked to a golden crips.



Papa is shuffling about, singing "on a pas tous les jour 20 and…!" (he is 91!!). There is so much activity. Maman, now a diminutive 4 feet 5 inches, comes back from the baker, loaded with 20 crusty baguettes - this is tradition. There is a huge Christmas mean being prepared at the Blanc house.



I have made so much XO cognac butter to be served and flambéed much later with the Christmas pudding (some traditions I have brought over from England with me).



This is how Christmas should be. 


My sons, Sebastien and Olivier have been booked for the clearing and washing up - they know the deal! 


I wish you all a merry and happy Christmas, wherever you are.


Best RB

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