I will be here at Dawn on Christmas morning to wish you Merry Christmas. You will know I am home because there will be a candle burning in the big East window. The candle is an old family tradition of indeterminate origin so just go with it. This is the sunrise from the East window. Well you know that now because it is one of my favourite shots. 
We will have dinner with The Matriarch on Christmas Eve so I may be slightly blurry. But I will be up to watch the sunrise with you guys.
Now the bad news is that I forgot to buy the crackers to nibble with my Christmas Sunrise Champagne. And it is not shopping day. So we will have to make them.
The Dirty Rooster has been in the fields and is confused by how much mud he has on his feet!
Parmesan Crackers with Rosemary for all Good Boys and Girls. Actually I don’t mind if you share with the bad girls. Oh dear, THAT did NOT come out right! (delete, delete, delete.)
In Food Processor:
- Scant cup of unbleached flour
- 1/2 tsp good salt-don’t use that powdery stuff. (salt is optional)
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
- 3 tsp chopped rosemary. (I have brought my precious rosemary plant inside, so the winter does not kill it. I picked at the tips apologising the whole time .. sorry little plant, sorry, I am really sorry but you are so tasty!)
PULSE
- 1 cup finely grated Mama’s home-made Parmesan cheese.
- 3 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter cut into cubes.
PULSE a bit more
- add 4 tablespoons sour cream one spoon at a time.
PULSE until the mix looks like big heavy wet breadcrumbs.
Working fast so your butter does not warm. Roll into log shape, wrap in clingfilm/gladwrap and rest in the fridge for at least a couple of hours. It can even sit overnight.
Slice to 1/4 inch thick.
Check to make sure you do not have an entire leg of organic, grass fed lamb roast, still in its paper wrapping, defrosting in the oven where the cats can’t get it, before you turn the oven on (sigh). Then bake at 325 until golden brown. 25 – 35 mins.
Turn the crackers over half way through to brown both sides. Store in an airtight container and hide until Sunrise, Christmas Morning.
Poor Mama is still waiting to get better. Everyone else is out in the sun and she is still locked up in the hospital wing. She is now officially not an organic sheep as she is on antibiotics. The vet said. I think that today she is brighter. Her dour temperament has certainly returned.
This recipe originally came from Martha Stewart and her team, however it was passed to me through a very muddled process, so it may be a little different by now!
Maybe we should invent a drink called Champagne Sunrise! Of course, that will call for a lot of experimentation with Champagne. I think we are up for it? Yeah?
c
The Kitchen's Garden 
81 responses to “Meet me here for a Champagne Sunrise on Christmas day and Crackers with cheese!”
Poor Mama. How ever will she keep time with the ox and lambs when the drummer boy shows up? If I’m up — and Max is in some big trouble so he had better let me sleep in for the next few days — I’ll tip a toast your way at sun up. Whether I’m up for a toast, here’s wishing you, Your John, and all of the Gang a most memorable Christmas, Celi.
Has max been playing with the toilet paper again? poor Maxy, he wants to come on down to the Farmy and have a good old run about! c
Have a lovely Christmas Cecilia 🙂
Androgoth Xx
Hullo Androgoth, how are you darling?.. you should have a lovely christmas too.. c
I would LOVE to share a Christmas sunrise with you. Happy Christmas!
Good you are on, all our dogs can how; at the sunrise together.. yes, yes I know it is meant to be the moon but it IS christmas!! c
Excellent crackers – I’ll look forward to your Christmas Day, dawn post, though I’ll be doing my best to sleep at that time 😉
You can sleep! .. you will still get a Dawn! have a great few days Mad. !!
I’m all for helping with the research on the Champagne Sunrise. My favorite drink…Champagne. I will wait until I know the sun is rising where you are and then toast you, your John, the Matriarch and your whole family the most wonderful of days sharing your good food together on this coming Christmas. Blessings to you and the family.
Hmm. good point karen, maybe I shall toast you on YOUR sunrise too! Excellent idea!! Time and the sunrises are the most curious study.. c
We were planning champagne for Christmas morning as well. 🙂 We were planning to mix it with some OJ. Maybe I’ll throw a splash of cranberry in there as well and call it Champagne Sunrise. 🙂 Merry Christmas Cecilia! I’ll be sure to tip the glass to you in the morning; although likely not at sunrise. 😉
YES! You have it, if we lay the cranberry at the bottom, then pour the orange and champagne in very slowly so it layers.. We will have a champagne sunrise! You are a star. I will try it at sunrise, I had better make a list!! c
Happy holidays to you and yours! Also, please say “hi” to The Matriarch for me.
I tried to talk my Patriarch into stopping by, but I doubt I succeeded. He’s like that sometimes.
Cheers!!!
I think he has a better offer!! Brilliant. The old codger is so sprightly lately! c
I’m glad to hear mama is doing better. I’m sure she’ll be upset she’s not organic anymore but she’ll get over that once she’s a healthy, happy sheepy 🙂
Love the gorgeous picture of the sunset!
Thank you Parsley. She does seem more chipper this afternoon.. I HATE it when one of my animals is sick! i hope you are having a great christmas break! c
Here’s hoping Mama has healing superpowers now that she’s been doctored up.
And as for you, my pretty, I wish you a beautiful holiday right through: delicious and cozy Christmas Eve with The Matriarch, a beautiful sunrise accompanied by champers and homemade yummy-looking crackers, and blissful quiet to follow. And knowing that you are held in the hearts of so many friends out here that you could light up the whole neighborhood like a Christmas tree on the strength of it. Great joy to you, my dear!
Kathryn
You are such a darling.. I wish you all the joy i can find to send.. c
Though the champange will have to wait until later in the day, The Wee One and I can light a candle and join you at sunrise…Merry Christmas, Dear One…
Homemade crackers were on ‘the list’ this year, before the – well, you know. Your recipe is much easier than what I had in mind. Wish I’d had it sooner…
I especially loved the early mornings with the babies, just you and the toddler in the still morning. This recipe is easy using the Food Processor and if you omit the salt baby could have one too! Good luck this christmas!! c
Merry Christmas Ce….We are in Ruakaka with Mikes Dad…the sun is shining the boys are fishing…kids looking forward to opening pressies…i’m looking forward to a walk on the beach and a bubbly…love always Deb
A walk on the beach with the bubbly. Merry Christmas my friend.. I hope to be there for next years! c
I want to try those crackers!
So do I but no touching until christmas morn!! Have a lovely day..c
This recipe may have started out being Martha Stewart’s and I just love her stuff. But I believe you’ve perfected it amazingly :). I would just like to wish you and your family a happy and amazing Christmas and New Year 🙂
Thank you Kay.. I know for sure that you and Your family will be having an elegant and tasty few day!! c
Wonderful biscuit recipe – I’m definitely making them. Have a wonderful Christmas.
We will Roger and I know for sure you will too! Take care, c
I know all about being crackers, but I’ve never made them before. When I’ve come to turns with this oven I’ll give them a go!
I’ll toast you and the farmy somewhere on the slopes 🙂
Crackers, Nuts, we have them all! Skiing on christmas day at dawn! c
well maybe not dawn, but it would be dawn somewhere else in the world 🙂
Thats what we say around here at cocktail time.. well it is four o’clock somewhere! c