Christmas at the Dacha

Yesterday, since I woke up at 2:00 in the a.m., I was sort of fried by the time we finished dinner. I served the ham, Jamie Oliver's my famous roasted pumpkin soup (which I make without the chestnuts since I am too lazy to forage for them), a tossed green salad, and baguettes.

I forgot to served the chocolate gateau I got at Trader Joe's.

I did remember that I had to get the Mallard Morning started before I totally melted down.

Poor Friend Valentina. She schlepped all the way here from A-town only to have me sort of fade away and crawl off to an early bed.

But before I did that, I made the Mallard Morning.

The Spouse had a college roommate named Dubber. Mallard Morning is Dubber's mom's recipe. Just now I was googling Mallard Morning to see if I have been making it correctly, and lo and behold, here is the original recipe PLUS a picture of Dubber's mom!

I have never put mushrooms in Mallard Morning. And I cut up bread instead of using croutons, but that is because I generally live places where I can't buy ready-made croutons. But those would be good, too.

ANYHOO . . . I like to make it the night before and then bake it in the morning. I didn't have any room in the fridge for the pan, so I covered it with plastic wrap and put it in the backyard.

In the night it rained.

A lot.

I had to pour a lot of rain water out of the pan, beat up a few more eggs and milk, and stir it all real well before I put it in the over. Shhhhh! Don't tell anyone.

But I think it turned out okay.

I also made Blueberry Boy Bait, but I forgot to hold back half the blueberries for the topping, so I had to use raspberries. I guess now it is Blueberry/Raspberry Boy Bait.

It was a hit.

Off to watch the children open presents now.