Christmas Sunday – turkey and ham pie

If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him… the people who give you their food give you their heart – Cesar Chavez – co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association.

My Chap is a really good cook; he used to be a chef when he was young.  He decided to make turkey and ham pie for dinner tonight.  I’ve been absolutely full of a cold so it was just what I needed. It was absolutely lovely and definitely today’s #100happydays photo. He made the recipe up but I expect it’s similar to this BBC food one – Turkey, Ham and Leek Pie – no cream though as I’m lactose intollerant.

Turkey and ham pie is a bit of a Christmas tradition in my house.   My Dad who was also superb cook and used to make pies with Christmas dinner leftovers – if you didn’t move fast on Boxing Day there wouldn’t be any cold meat left for cold cuts, pickles, and bubble and squeak.  In his later years, started making Turkey curry at Christmas – Madhur Jaffrey‘s the famous actress and cookery writer’s influence.

My Dad expressed his love for his family and friends by cooking wonderful food – much like my Chap.  My Dad has been dead for nearly 16 years but so many memories of him are associated with food.  He loved smoked salmon too – his family lived in the East End of London with many Jewish neighbours – who influenced their cooking (& outlook on life). My Uncle Fred was an ace pickler too – his piccalilli was epic!  My brother and I divided their very large cook book collection – often I consult the books for inspiration.  My Chap, who I’ve only known six years, would have got on well with my Dad and Uncle Fred – a lot of recipe chat.

I hope you’ve had some favourite foods this Christmas and made some good memories.

What has made you happy today?

Carpe Diem

Love Bec

xxx

• #100happydays Photos 1-5 – dahlia, vinegar, acorns, mindfulness and Dunham Massey
• #100happydays Photos 6-13 Lovely Lisbon
• #100happydays – Photos 14-20 food, music, Victoria Baths
• #100happydays – Photos 21-28 friends, food, drink, flowers and yoda too
• #100happydays – Photos 29-34 deeds not words, inspiring women, love
• #100happydays – Photos 35-41 love, food, poetry, learning and travel
• #100happydays – Photos 42-49 family, food, friends and adventures too
• #100happydays – Photos 50-54 cottonopolis WI and Christmas too

You can follow my photos for #100happydays challenge on twitter feed everyday (@becinmonton)

*****

#100happydays challenge is very simple:

• Can you be happy for 100 days in a row?
• Every day submit a picture of what made you happy!
• It can be about anything or anyone.
• It’s a way of getting in touch with the moment you’re in
• People can submit photos privately too.
• Anyone around the world can get involved in #100happydays or just have a look for the hashtag or on facebook too.

What has made you happy today?