You may have guessed that Christmas is approaching, and people are starting to become a little more free with their treats… I know my house has munched their way through two tubs of chocolates already. Here at Reading Addicts, we are preparing for our own Winter Bulking with some literary-inspired Christmas food ideas. From warming treats to fantastic feasts, taken straight from the pages of some classic novels, here’s some morsels to whet your appetite…
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsberg
Let’s start with something I have been having quite a lot of recently as these Winter nights draw in… Hot chocolate! Everyone has their own way of making hot chocolate- mine must have a tot of spiced rum, and whipped cream on top… In Chris Van Allsberg’s The Polar Express, the tempting hot chocolate the children are given sounds absolutely heavenly…
A Visit From St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore
This traditional poem by Clement Clarke Moore is one many families know. The children’s dreams of sugar plums have inspired many recreations of what people believe the treat to have been. The confection was not anything to do with the fruit, but it was in fact plum-shaped candies made of layers upon layers of sugar… Delicious!
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
My personal favourite of all the versions of this classic tale has to be The Muppets Christmas Carol. Michael Caine singing “Thankful Heart”, and little Bean Bunny running behind with a massive turkey is one of the best moments! Roasted turkey with all the trimmings is such a tradition that this passage of Dickens’ evokes memories for many Christmas lovers…
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Turkish Delight is our next festive offering, taken from C. S. Lewis creation “The Chronicles of Narnia”. In The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe a certain little boy was overtaken by his greed for this sweet treat… I’m not a huge fan myself but I know a lot of people who are!
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Another savoury option for a feast is here in The Great Gatsby, giving us a sumptuous feast worthy of any budding socialite. A huge, spiced baked ham, surrounded by accompanying side dishes, would make a perfect centrepiece on the Christmas Day Feast!
Hansel and Gretel by The Brothers Grimm
As a child this story really captured me, and I longed to come across a gingerbread house in the woods near my home. Although I did not wish for the evil witch inside! Windows made of sugar, sweets and chocolates lining the walls… Magical…
If you can think of any more decadent literary Christmas food fit for a feast, let us know on Facebook, Twitter, and in the comments below.
Happy feasting!
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