Opening my Christmas gifts from my parents!
Koen and I celebrated Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Roosendaal, first at his Aunt Maartje and Uncle Sjaak’s house and then at the Brörmann house for Christmas. Unfortunately Nikki, Brigiet, and Sofie could not make it to Roosendaal to celebrate with us – Nikki and Brigiet were in Friesland and Sofie was surfing in Spain! Christmas Eve, we all made special dishes – Koen and I made two types of meatballs – and enjoyed an evening with lots of laughter and delicious food. The next day began with Christmas brunch. The entire afternoon we took turns in the kitchen preparing for dinner. I made macarons for the first time! Oma joined us for our delicious dinner which included a game where we guess what Dook is thinking. Koen and I were the winners guessing Roy Donder’s huispak and Oma’s pearl necklace! After dinner we facetimed my family in the States where they were also enjoying Christmas dinner! Also, special thank you to Barbara for the beautiful photos from Christmas!
Koen’s Indonesian meatballs
My Swedish meatballs
Christmas Eve!
Barbara and Menno’s cupcake tower
Sjors’s decadent chocolate cake
Gijs entertaining Amir and Els
Sjors and Uncle Sjaak
Smoked salmon and artichokes filled with trout mousse
Delicious cheese!
Oma’s first selfie!
Yum! Christmas brunch!
Poached egg, sausage rolls, and a slice of Kerststol!
Macarons going into the oven
Out of the oven!
Lemon macarons! (Next time I will use food coloring to make them yellow)
Raspberry macarons! (Next time these will be pink or red)
Oven-caramelized figs – I almost set the paper on fire!
Macarons with foie gras and caramelized figs!
Foie gras and caramelized fig macarons!
Barbara’s chocolate and caramel dessert cooling off
The roe deer being seasoned on the Himilayan salt block
Koen and me ❤
Champagne Christmas toast!
Koen’s Stilton, pear, and pinenut amuse-bouche with a reduced Port sauce
Three generations of beauties!
The Christmas table
Starter: Foie gras with cognac aspic and fig chutney
2nd starter: Els’s oxtail soup
Main Course: roe deer with a delicious sauce created by Dook, parsnip fries, caramelized Belgian endive, and oven-roasted apples stuffed with cranberry sauce served with a delicious wine from Grand Vin
Closeup of the main course – yum!
Koen and me at the table
Time for cheese!
The cheese plate
My plate! (The first of a few)
Els’s Semi freddo di amaretto
Slice of the semi freddo di amaretto – delicious!
Barbara’s famous chocolate, caramel, and nut dessert!
And finally…lemon and raspberry macarons with Barbara’s chocolate to go with the coffee and tea!
Chatting with my family in the States!
Oma, also wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!
An American in Antwerp 