Bake & Cake for Yule's Eve!

 *In Portugal we do it the Greasy Way*

on the 23rd my mother's kitchen was filled with delicious baking smells!

 pots and bags of ingredients were a plenty from across the table, and the excitement to prepare the typical foods and sweets had completely taken over us.

*Mother's Almond Pie* 

my mother was tired from work, and I had been going around the town gathering a few more supplies for a DIY project I have on the side, (more on that later) and even my father lend a hand!

me and him don't do activities together that often, so I was very happy that we could share this experience.

*Father helping out with the savoury starters*

as it is tradition in Portugal, on Christmas Eve the 24th, we dined boiled cod fish with a side of boiled grain, collard greens, potatoes and carrots, with olive oil, vinegar and chopped garlic to season.

to this dinner we call "Consoada" which comes from the latin "consolata" in the root word "consolare".

this term only appeared in the 17th century.

according to older traditions the table must not be cleaned and none of the plates or glasses should be washed, all of the left overs should stay on the table as a sign of respect for the dead relatives of the family, or for the baby Jesus to come and eat during the night.

 *Our Christmas Lunch*

I have never seen the latter but my grandfather remembers her mother doing this particular tradition.

they lived in a remote part of Portugal.

currently we only leave a table with food overnight if it is the one with all the appetizers, sweets, baked goods, and during the rest of the week that table will have food as long as people don't finish everything or the New Year approaches. 

I shall leave you with our three main dishes for Christmas (Yule) lunch!

yummy, am I right?

*Roasted Fat Chicken with Chestnut Stuffing and Lemon & Orange Sauce*

*Roasted Octopus with Fried Bacon and Mushrooms & Potatoes*

 *Rabbit Stew with Sweet Potatoes & Chestnut Gravy* 

I think I already miss Yule... sigh!