It’s messed up Easter plans, it’s ruined summer holidays and it’s forced a good 80% of us to celebrate our birthday’s in the living room, so it’s only fitting to the year that Christmas 2020 be a COVID-Christmas. However, never fear; we have a bunch of ideas to help you adapt to a Christmas like no other.
First, let’s recap the rules surrounding Christmas and COVID. If you don’t know already, here in the London Borough of Bexley, we are in Tier 2 (high alert). This means:
From December 23rd-27th, you are permitted to bubble with two other households
However, these bubbles can not meet inside pubs, hotels, retail, theatres or restaurants
Care home residents under 65 may spend this period with one other household
Christmas Day church services will be allowed
Whilst non-essential travel is not recommended, it is your prerogative to do so but you must comply with travel rules that can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus#covid-19-travel-guidance
So, if you’re a family who normally goes out for Christmas dinner, this year you’re going to have to get the apron on! If you’re after a different side dish to complement your Christmas dinner, why not try these chestnut, bacon and cranberry stuffing balls?...
You will need:
100g dried cranberries
50ml ruby port
1 small onion, chopped
2 rashers unsmoked back bacon, cut into strips
50g butter
2 garlic cloves, chopped
450g sausage meat
140g fresh white or brown breadcrumbs
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
½ tsp chopped fresh thyme leaves
140g peeled, chopped cooked chestnuts
Instructions:
Soak the cranberries in the port for an hour
Fry the onion and bacon gently in the butter, until the bacon is cooked. Add the garlic and fry for another minute or so.
Cool slightly, then mix with all the remaining ingredients, including the cranberries and port, adding enough egg to bind.
Fry a knob of stuffing in a little butter, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Press the stuffing into a greased ovenproof dish in a layer that is around 4cm thick. Bake at 190C/gas 5/fan 170C for about 40 minutes, until browned and cooked right through.
If you unfortunately have to spend this Christmas shielded from your loved ones, we have a bunch of ideas for how you can virtually enjoy the holidays:
1. Skribbl.io
Effectively online Pictionary, here you can create a private room for your friends and family and try to guess what is being drawn. The website generates words for you and the faster you guess, the more points! Check it out: https://skribbl.io/
2. Get on Netflix Party!
All you need to do is add ‘Netflix Party’ as an extension to your Google Chrome and you can watch any movie or show with your friends and family at the same time! Check out this super quick guide for more details: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=netflix+party&docid=608052741130488140&mid=D962DF99BDAEF1766457D962DF99BDAEF1766457&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
We really do hope that this Christmas you can enjoy any long-standing traditions you and your family have, but if not, take this as an opportunity to start new ones! Above all, stay safe this Christmas. Until next time… eat, drink and be merry!