Jen and Melissa are hosting this wonderful Jolly by Golly blogfest to celebrate this season. So, of course, I had to take part! The idea is to post a piccy of your lights, decorations and tree. Share a recipe of your favourite food and drink and lastly to visit everyone taking part and share the joy.
Generally my Christmas lights are inside the house, but this year we put a string of red lights in our frangipani tree out the front. I keep forgetting to take a pic while they were turned on. Oops.
We have a hot Christmas here in Australia so the traditions vary. I have three sides to the family and each one offers a different kind of food. One side offers a seafood buffet with prawns as the star. Another side offers a traditional barbeque with side salads. And the third side offers traditional roast pork and turkey. Oh, and then there are the snacks... There is no point trying to maintain a weight-loss diet at this time. I don't have a favourite drink, but I do have a favourite dessert:
Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake.
250g plain choc biscuits
125g butter, melted
500g cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup caster sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons cocoa powder, sifted
300g sour cream
300g cherries, pitted, halved
cherries and icing sugar to serve
1. preheat oven to 160 degrees Celsius (140 for a fan forced oven) -- sorry I don't know what that is in Fahrenheit (It's slightly cooler than a moderate oven). Grease 5.5cm deep 24 cm base spring form pan. Process biscuits until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add butter. Process to combine. Press mixture over base of prepared pan. Cover. Refrigerate for 30 mins.
2. Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating to combine. Beat in cocoa and sour cream until just combined. Fold in cherries. Spread over biscuit mixture.
3. bake for 35-40 mins or until centre is just firm. Turn off oven and cool for three hours with door slightly ajar. Refrigerate overnight. Top with cherries, dust with icing sugar. EAT.
I hope everyone will have a wonderful and safe Christmas. I will post again next week and then my regular blogging schedule will return to normal in the new year.
Yum yum yum.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so good! And that cheesecake recipe, Yum! I posted mine a little early as well, so feel free to stop by and see what my favorite dessert is.
ReplyDeleteI also find it interesting to see what others are doing in different parts of the world, so thanks for sharing what goes on in Australia.
Whisk, it is yum ;)
ReplyDeleteMary, I love to hear all the different traditions. It's great! Coming over to visit!
What a fun blogfest - very chrismassy indeed! You have a beautiful tree and yummy food but that recipe - oooh - yum!!! Weight loss diet at christmas?!?! Does not compute!! :-)
ReplyDeleteTake care
x
old kitty, hehe. Every year I tell myself I'm not going to over eat. Pfft! Silly me.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of Christmas dinner. We never have the traditional ham or turkey. Too much work!
ReplyDeleteChocolate. Cherry. Cheesecake. Ooooo!!!! It all looks so beautiful and welcoming :)
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going to try the recipe and the tree is pretty!
ReplyDeleteYour tree is BEAUTIFUL!
ReplyDeletebeautiful tree! and whatta lotta food!!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou have a gorgeous tree! It's already Monday down under, eh? How about that. It's barely 9 pm here in Oregon, USA. ;o) CHEESECAKE, oh boy, drool city! I love cheesecake, and choc cherry sounds wonderful. Are you making me some?
ReplyDeleteChocolate and cheesecake -- how can anything be better?
ReplyDeleteYUMM! That recipe sounds absolutely delicious. I hope you don't celebrate with all three sides of the family on the same day! That would be hectic! I love that it's all so different.
ReplyDeleteYeah... I fully plan on having my jeans be too tight after all the goodies this season! In january... I'll have to work extra hard!
Thank you so much for participating in our blog fest!
Mmm...that cheesecake sounds delicious! :)
ReplyDeleteare all those presents under your tree waiting for me? :)))
ReplyDeleteMy favourite part of this holiday is buying presents and Christmas decorations and cooking :) I'm an atheist, but I still celebrate Christmas just for the atmosphere :)
I'm making blackberry cake this Christmas and Apple baklava for the New Years' Eve :)
The cheese cake looks amazing. Your tree is beautifully decorated too.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas.
Chocolate cherry cheesecake...I've gone to heaven! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas to you and your family!
Be Jolly By Golly
The tree is so pretty, and thanks for the delicious-sounding recipe. Happy Christmas to you!
ReplyDeleteI love your tree and that food looks so yummy!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tree! And with so many gifts! I didn't have a favorite drink either but I'm finding some great ones to try on everyone's blog. Hope you have a great Christmas!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tree! And I'll definitely have to try that recipe, yum!
ReplyDeleteMmm, sounds divine.
ReplyDeleteWant some of our snow?
Look at all those presents under the tree! Have a very merry Christmas!!!
ReplyDeleteAlex, yes it is a lot of work.
ReplyDeleteWords Crafter, best cheesecake ever :)
Joy, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do :)
Erinn, thanks
Aspiring, yarp, that is a lot fo food...hehehehe
Carol, I'm ahead of my time ;) Sure, I'll make some for you. You can come over and pick it up tomorrow ;)
ReplyDeleteMary, exactly!
Melissa, used to celebrate with two of the families in the one day but then one family moved a long way away so now we split it up. Phew.
Emily, it is! YUM
Dezzy-baby-hun, yep, I love the atmosphere as well and all those things you listed. Many people get jaded by the "commercialism" but it doesn't have to be that way. I think it depends on how you approach the season. Oh! can I have some of that blackberry cake?!! YUM!
ReplyDeleteElaine, I decided to buy one decoration a year when I first got married. It was so rare I could keep it at only one but now we have quite a few -- and they all go on the tree! Hehehehe.
ReplyDeleteEllie, indeed it is heavenly
Roxy, happy Christmas to you too!
Summer, thanks :)
Sondrae, I'll be hopping around to everyone's blogs right after breakfast ;)
ReplyDeleteNicole, the recipe is so easy and so delicious!
M Pax, Sure! Send me some of your snow! I've never had a white Christmas. It might melt fast though.
Laura, have a very Merry Christmas as well :)
Love your tree with all of the presents under it. Haven't started wrapping yet. Must get cracking. =D
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty tree. Merry Christmas :)
ReplyDeleteMy two favorite ingredients. Cherries and Chocolate!!! Can't wait to try this one.
ReplyDeleteI love love love your tree! It is beautiful.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Beautiful tree!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays.
Ahh, more chocolate cheesecake--only you put the cherry on top! Yay! :D
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas! :o) <3
Gorgeous tree! And I want some of those prawns on your buffet! Choc choc cherries cheesecake for pudding sounds lovely. I'm thinking black forest gateau meets cheese! Have a wonderful Christmas! ;)
ReplyDeleteStopping by for the blogfest...
ReplyDeleteYour tree looks great! And thanks for the recipe - looks delicious!
Happy Holidays!
-Shannon
Beautiful tree - and LOVE the recipe - going to have to try that one!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
KatieO
Purdee tree!! :) Here's hoping everyone down under has a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteLove your tree! And you can never, ever go wrong with cheesecake!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Your tree is perfect!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the time with your family. Merry Christmas, Linda!
Love your tree and that cheesecake sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteThat much food looks awesome! Enjoy it! Happy Holidays!
ReplyDelete~Kelley
All of those meals sound fantastic!!! Yum :)
ReplyDeleteCheesecake of any kind is a big hit in our house. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tree! I would love to see the frangipani tree (because I have no idea what one looks like..). And any three sides of all that food sounds delish! Yeah, dieting is the LAST thing on my mind this time of year. It's just not worth it - lol. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThat chocolate cherry cheesecake sounds divine! I think I gained weight just reading the recipe. Have a very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely recipe, Lynda. Will try it.
ReplyDeleteHave a Merry Christmas and a Great New Year!!
Look at all those presents already set up under the tree! Have a very Merry (and warm) Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteThat recipe sounds so good, it's similar to the one on my post. BBQ for Christmas - Yummy! Thanks for sharing and have a Merry Christmas! :D
ReplyDeleteOOh, lovely tree and treats! Happy Christmas!
ReplyDeleteExcellent recipe! Another dish I may have to dish up for my characters, Lynda.
ReplyDeleteBut as for you, I've served up a serving of a shout-out for your blog over at my blog. Bon appetit!
Yummy yums...I'm coming to Australia. Well, not really but everything sounds good.
ReplyDeleteNancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
Your tree is beautiful, and that dessert sounds divine!
ReplyDeleteA seafood buffet is always good! Thanks for sharing your traditions and happy holidays.
ReplyDeleteChocolate cherry cheesecake--just amazing. I'll have to try that recipe!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for all your wonderful comments. So many of you are new to this blog and it's so great to meet new blogging friends!
ReplyDeleteI hope you all have a wonderful Christmas :)
Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake! yummmy!!!! I will definitely have to try that when I have a chance to bake next!!!
ReplyDeleteBe jolly by Golly!
Still hopping around for the blogfest. Didn't have enough time yesterday to visit every single site. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Lynda.
ReplyDeleteTHis blogfest is great! Superb pictures and recipes.
ReplyDeleteCD
Thanks for the recipe share:)
ReplyDeleteA seafood buffet sounds like a wonderful Christmas dinner!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you!
I stopped over from Jeffrey's. It looks like you're ready for a wonderful celebration. Merry Christmas, and thanks for the delicious recipe. :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a homey home. Chocolate cherry cheesecake. Too yummy!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays to you and your family.
CHOCOLATE CHERRY CHEESECAKE!!!!!! MMMmmmmm!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Love,
Lola
Mmmm, like the sound of all that. Merry Christmas :O)
ReplyDeleteit all looks and sounds good to me! Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteHi! Thank you so much for your comment on my blog! I made it to London (phew!) but I would take the sun of Australia over snow any day! Merry Christmas :-)
ReplyDelete