My Christmas in 2006

deMy Christmas Eve in 2006 was quite different than the previous years. I spend my first Christmas in Asia and it did not feel the same. Chinese people do not celebrate Christmas and the festive mood is only spread by the expats who are living here. I went for dinner in Mimosa Supperclub (my employer) and enjoyed the following courses:

Salmon

House Cured Gravlax Terrine with Beetroot

Ballotine with Celeriac Remoulade

Smoked Parcels with Mushroom and Creamed Spinach

&

Lobster

Steamed with Scallops and Herbs

Ravioli with Jerusalem Artichoke Puree

Grilled with Five Spices Butter

&

Barramundi

Poached in Coconut Broth with Shitake and Asian Greens

Roasted with Spiced Eggplant, Mediterranean Lasagne and Parmesan Broth

Pan-fried with Braised Fennel and Sauce Bordelaise

&

Christmas Birds

Turkey with Stuffing, Brussel Sprouts and Cranberry Orange Glaze

Goose with Wild Rice Risotto, Almonds, Prunes and Armagnac Sauce

Squab Breast with Fennel Confit, Tomato and Tarragon

&

Dessert Plate

Blue Cheese with Traditional Oat Cakes

Pannetone with Almond Brittle Semi-Freddo

Chocolate Fondant with Cherries

&

2003 Chardonnay Reserve, Alexander Valley, Geyser Peak, California

2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley, Torbreck, Australia

Black Sheep (40% Shiraz, 30% Malbec, 30% Merlot), Barossa Valley, Stanley Lambert, Australia

On Christmas Day, I had to work and then had a nice dinner with Stillers in their apartment. We exchanged gifts and enjoyed a nice barbeque with shrimps and filets. Obviously, we consumed a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Rose Champagne, a bottle "Spaetburgunder Weingut Huber, Baden, Germany" and a bottle "1992 Mount Edelstone 100% Shiraz, Henschke, Barossa Valley, Australia" that was delicious.

Mein erster Heiligabend in Shanghai war etwas anders als sonst. Die Chinesen feieren kein Weihnachten und daher wird die Weihnachtsstimmung nur von den Expats verbreitet. Trotz allem hatte ich ein sehr leckeres Abendessen (siehe oben) in Mimosa Supperclub (mein Arbeitsplatz) und konsumierte einige gute Weine. Am ersten Weihnachtstag musste ich leider arbeiten! Am Abend war ich dann bei Stillers in Pudong um auch mit meiner Patentochter ein wenig Weihnachten feieren zu koennen. Wir genossen ein leckeres Abendessen mit Champagner & gutem Wein.