I hope everyone had a good Christmas. I also would like to wish you all a Happy New Year. We had a very different Christmas this year. Instead of spending it at home; we went to my in laws. I'm not complaining. I love my in laws. As much as I love my own parents. My only grumble about living in the UK is that I miss the snow. Hey I'm a Boston girl we're experts on snow lol. The kids had a great time especially as they were on the floor in sleeping bags. Well the older ones were the baby was in his mobile crib aka Moses basket.
It was so nice. Not to have to cook. Christmas dinner on my own. I love Karl but he's a walking disaster in the kitchen lol. My Mom in law and I prepared and cooked the lunch between us. I think like most people we had our desert later in the afternoon. I was a little suprized as I expected the traditional Christmas pudding. She just said that I heard. From a little bird that you had never; had trifle before. To say I was skeptical would be an understatement. She assured me that it did not have any liqour in it. So the kids could enjoy it too. But I have to say that this good ole American gal loved it. I can't wait to try and make it myself.
Comments
A little bit of Sherry in the Trifle
never did any child harm. Well at least in my experience.
One thing that you may have to learn is that we aren't as hung up about booze as the USA is. I can't comment on which approach is the best.
My Gran used to make Trifle with Sherry in it. Just a small amount watered down and drizzled over the sponge.
It was the only spirit she ever had so we never complained.
AFAIK, it isn't a crime to give under age (i.e. 18) people alcohol in the privacy of your own home here in the UK. They just can't legally buy it or consume it in public.
Besides, it wasn't that long ago that gripe water contained a lot of alcohol. That was give to babies to settle them from back in victorian times. For most it never did any harm.
Mind you the US Influence seems to be spreading. I was carded when buying some Brandy in the UK arm of Wallyworld a few weeks ago. I'm 63 and have grey hair. Rulez is Rulez apparently I will avoid that place from now on.
Mmm - trifle
Couple of tips for making:
Make the jelly (jello) with a bit less water, I use 3/4 instead of 1 pint, including the juice from the tinned fruit. You want it to set, and all of the fruit jelly packs I have used are for 1 pint.
Aim for a fairly thick custard, again so that it sets when cold but just pourable when warm.
Now I will have to make another..
Teri Ann
"Reach for the sun."
I
Daren't make trifle, sherry, fruit or otherwise as I can sit and eat a family size one on my own and have done - it's a bit of a family joke. IME some of the shop bought ready mades are pretty good - Sainsburys are good value.
Weirdly my brother won't eat the sponge and isn't keen on the topping so just has jelly and custard - weirdo!
How I miss those Woolworth's cafe's with their glasses of trifle and jelly (sigh). And proper pick and mix. The kids today don't know what they're missing. 'kin Walmart.
My parents hardly ever used to drink back when I was small, xmas and New Year and the occasional social gathering but from about age 10 it was pretty standard for everyone to get wine at celebration meals and I even scored beer at social gatherings well before I could buy it myself. It wasn't that I was a big drinker, a pint of lager would last forever but there was no taboo in these situations.
Certainly I drink more these days but I often go dry for months at a time and it wouldn't really impact me if I couldn't have a beer (wine will do!). Apparently my descent into sensible drinking (i've got drunk twice, once in 1988 and again ten years later) started as a baby when a shot of whisky was used to get me to sleep when the olds needed some rest - didn't work with my brother who cried almost non stop for three years.
Dammit, now i'm gonna have to have trifle - maybe for New Year.
Madeline Anafrid Bell
Day of the Trifles
I thought trifles were those weird nasty plant things from space that you folks had a problem with over there...
Well shit, I guess it really CAN happen here..,
.
Tribbles, Triffids and Trifles
All stuff from my childhood.
Regarding Triffids, I went for a bike ride on Horsell Common today. This is mentioned in the book and the UK based film.
Sherry Trifle
I fondly remember the sherry trifle at the Lyon's Corner House at Marble Arch, in 1965, my first visit to the UK. Sadly, Lyon's is no more.
Triffids
Don't know about triffids, but Horsell Common sand pits is where the Martian cylinder landed before the tripods attacked Woking. There's still a fighting machine and cylinder in Woking town centre.
For Americans...
A British trifle is a sort of jello parfait with sponge cake as one of the layers. Something similar is made in parts of the US South where the cake is sometimes soaked in rum, bourbon or applejack. A little more kick than sherry or port. :) I can't remember what it's called in the South, though. Not trifle.
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
Just to add confusion
In Italy, the dessert called 'trifle' in English is called 'zuppa Inglese'---English soup. I remember it being offered near Venice as a flavour of ice cream.
Made another
But had to use strawberry jelly with mandarins - a bit strange, though seeing as there isn't much left in the fridge it is going down well ;)
Teri Ann
"Reach for the sun."