Christmas means Family, Friends and Fine Food. Of course, being Chinese, family is of primary importance and next comes food. If you have ever been to a Chinese family dinner you might find that we always discuss each dish as it comes out. Or if not each dish then something to do with food. We like to enjoy the full experience of eating – the taste, smell and texture of every mouthful and you can’t do that if you’re talking politics or footy or debating the latest movie. Being born in Australia has its many advantages. I have grown up knowing both Chinese and Western food. Roast lamb and potatoes and bread and butter pudding and thousand year old duck eggs and lion’s head meatballs have all been a part of my family’s meals since I was small. I have a head full of my mother’s and grandmother’s hand me down recipes. But at Christmas we go Western. Maybe it’s the English tradition that we are used to. When I was little we would go to my grandfather’s house for Christmas lunch and the two things I remember are the presents and the plum pudding with sixpences and threepences cooked inside it. We loved hunting for them.

But it’s desserts where our family truly excels.

These meringue mice made by my sister-in-law are always the family favourite on Christmas day. Of course we also have plum pudding and pavlova too and fresh berries and mince pies.

Ahh…the wholesome goodness of Christmas!