CHRISTMAS MENUS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23839, 14 December 1940, Page 10

CHRISTMAS MENUS

TROOPS IN THE DESERT SURPRISES PROMISED OFFICERS TO WAIT ON MEN (From the Offirial War Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces in the Middle East.) CAIRO. Dec. li' Tn 50 mess halls and touts from the Nile Valley to the Western Desert soldiers of the Nov. Zealand Expeditionary Force will sit. down on December 25 to Christmas dinners which in richness and abundance will hardly be surpassed in their own homes. Quartermasters and cooks have already planned dishes and placed orders for the good things that Christmas calls for among Britons everywhere. 1 hoy have been given wide scope as a result of two useful cash subsidies, one foils Gd a head and from the National Patriotic Fund, and the other of Is, which will be increased to Is 6d for troops in tho field from the reflate fund derived from canteen profits. These sums will go a long way in the purchase of foodstuff's produced locally. An illustration of what can lie dono with subsidised rations is given by the following specimen menus for dinner and tea, compiled by headquarters as a guide to units: —Dinner: Creamed tomato soup, roast turkey and pork, apple sauce, stuffing, green peas, cauliflowers and white sauce. roast potatoes. Christmas pudding and brandy sauce, nuts, cigarettes, fruit and beer. Tea: Cold meats, salad, cake, mince pies, fruit salad. ("nits have been left to plan their own menus, and enthusiastic cooks have many surprises in store. One battalion has kept true to New Zealand tradition by obtaining New Zealand lamb. Most units intend to decorate their messrooms for the occasion. Officers will dine with the men in many cases, while in at least one unit the officers and noncommissioned officers will wait on tho men. Everything possible is being done toward the celebration of Christmas in a maimer to which the troops have been accustomed. Even in the desert the dinner will be no less sumptuous than in the more comfortable surroundings of the base camp and hospitals. ! Gift parcels of puddings, cakes and sweets from New Zealand will probably be distributed on Boxing Day.