I had lunch with a group of friends last week. When we get together, the conversation is always about our children (comparing notes on behavior) or our families. We are a mixed bag; two Aussies, two English ladies and me, the Welshie. This time we did a little reminiscing on our childhoods and growing up in general. We are a mature bunch of ladies, so most of us can go back a fair few years!
I have lived in Australia for the last ten years and have learnt that Aussies like Vegemite (yuck!) sausages (nicer) and seafood on Christmas Day. But when we talked about what things we liked to eat as a child, I made a surprising discovery – one of my Aussie friends did not know what Blancmange is. A little taken aback by this, I tried to tell her that Blancmange is a creamy dessert (mainly pink ) that accompanies jelly (not jam ) It is usually served at birthday parties, and is moulded into the shape of a rabbit (pink) with grass (green) jelly around it.
It would be the highlight of any birthday party that I went to as a child, and would take centre stage on the party table ( whilst the birthday cake would be in the kitchen, under a cloth ready for the candles).
Does anyone have a childhood food that they loved, but no one else has even heard of?
Suzanne Bowditch, 2016
May 16, 2016 at 2:14 am
So, is jelly like our jello??
What is blanc-mange made of??
Thanks for following me!
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May 16, 2016 at 2:25 am
Yes I think so. Jelly is a fruit flavoured dessert that sets in a mould. Blancmange is similar in that its sets in a mould but is made of milk and cream plus flavourings. As a child jelly and blacmange was eaten at birthday parties 🙂 Your welcome and nice to meet you!
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May 16, 2016 at 3:42 am
Aha! Yes, then jelly is our jello. Thanks! I’ve always wondered what the blancmange was!
Nice to meet you too!
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May 15, 2016 at 1:55 am
Pavlova is a favorite dessert here in Oz, especially at Christmas. I love the way it melts in your mouth and the freshness of the fruit on top 🙂
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May 15, 2016 at 1:50 am
Being a Kiwi, a pavlova was always a special treat.
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May 6, 2016 at 6:58 pm
Popular at kid’s parties when I was little was a flat bunny shaped cake covered with pink coconut flakes. We all thought that was so exotic.
(and we’ve eaten Vegemite with some Aussie friends – had to try as so curious after hearing them rave about it. )
Shrimp works for Christmas, but there had better be turkey, too.
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May 6, 2016 at 11:52 pm
I still cook a huge turkey at Christmas, even though it is hot outside. I put the air con on full blast and we sit around the table eating a full roast dinner just like the ones in Wales. The difference since I’ve lived in Australia is that I cook a ham too, which is popular along with a seafood platter on Christmas day. 🙂
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May 4, 2016 at 6:59 pm
I’ve never had this before, the picture makes me want to try it! 🙂
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May 5, 2016 at 1:16 am
It is lovely with jelly 🙂
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May 4, 2016 at 2:59 pm
You have reminded me of my favorite dessert; not novel at all, chocolate pudding. Suzanne, husband and I are years ahead of you, but you still might be interested that my husband, English born, was in the London blitz and was sent out of there during the remaining war years. He was sent to Wales, where he lived. The man in the family who took him in was a dentist. He has wonderful memories of his Welsh interlude.
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May 5, 2016 at 2:18 am
Thanks for sharing this Oneta. I am writing a story based on my mother’s childhood and WW2 in Wales. Look forward to your posts:)
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May 4, 2016 at 11:59 am
i’ve never had blancmange either. Only ever heard it mentioned in books!
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May 4, 2016 at 12:00 pm
It is nice with jelly – from what I remember ! 🙂
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May 4, 2016 at 9:00 am
Reblogged this on Blogger's World!.
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May 4, 2016 at 5:05 am
I loved white color toffee which had nuts in it, it was my favorite. It was available in local market not too famous kind. Sadly no one in my friends have heard about it.
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