I have a long-held love for all forms of cabbage, but this time of year red cabbage feels particularly essential. And although it belongs to the wider cabbage family, it’s very much its own vegetable – it doesn’t lend itself to being substituted in place of other seasonal greens. It needs to be treated differentlyContinue reading “Red Cabbage, Two Ways”
Category Archives: Christmas & Holiday
Lighter Christmas Pudding with Spiced Crème Anglaise
This is the Christmas pudding I make every year, and the only one I can remember my mother making. It’s lighter than the traditional variety, but the flavours are still rich and complex. It will convert a Christmas pudding-hater, and win over even the most ardent traditionalist. I couldn’t imagine Christmas without it. This slightlyContinue reading “Lighter Christmas Pudding with Spiced Crème Anglaise”
What to Cook Between Christmas and New Year
This is a special time of year when we all slow down, take stock, and look forward to a New Year. At this stage in the festivities, I want lots of comforting dishes that feel celebratory enough to feed friends and family without requiring a lot from me in return. If you’re in need ofContinue reading “What to Cook Between Christmas and New Year”
A Very British Christmas Conundrum: When to Eat the Christmas Feast?
I have always maintained that, despite the heavy influences of tradition, Christmas dinner is very personal. I may be Canadian, but my dinner is very much of the British variety: turkey with all the trimmings. Even so, there is one element of the British Christmas feast I’ve never quite got on with, and that’s theContinue reading “A Very British Christmas Conundrum: When to Eat the Christmas Feast?”
Spiced Falafel Burgers with Red Cabbage
A healthy, vegetarian and speedy dinner to feed four. Great if you need some real food, fast, or if you’re looking for a brief break from heavier winter fare. The red cabbage, gentle spice and sweetness from the carrot and apple give it a wintery vibe, but of course these are great any time ofContinue reading “Spiced Falafel Burgers with Red Cabbage”
Merry Meatballs in a Bread Bowl
Meatballs get a festive twist with redcurrant, rosemary, brandy and cream. Perfect as picky finger food for a party served in one large, hollowed-out loaf of sourdough with toothpicks for spearing, or as a main course in individual crusty rolls, next to some form of vegetable. The meatball portion of the recipe will make enoughContinue reading “Merry Meatballs in a Bread Bowl”
Freezer-Friendly Foods to Fortify your Festivities
An alliterative guide to using your freezer to get ahead for Christmas. I take a fairly ruthless and aggressive approach to preparing for Christmas, not out of some desire to smugly sit back on Christmas Eve with a glass of brandy, but rather to avoid getting so stressed out that Christmas ceases to become enjoyable.Continue reading “Freezer-Friendly Foods to Fortify your Festivities”
Winter Spiced Porridge
Get in the seasonal spirit in the morning with this feel-good breakfast. Make as needed, or – as I do – mix up a big batch of the dry stuff for a zero-effort breakfast on busy mornings. The mix also makes an unusual and inexpensive homemade gift. Wrap up a pretty bag or jar ofContinue reading “Winter Spiced Porridge”
Parkin
Traditionally eaten on Bonfire Night, parkin is an autumnal classic that is definitely due a revival. With a wonderfully nubbly texture and a deep, rich flavour, it’s a suitably seasonal snack from autumn to Christmas and beyond. It’s also a joy to make. Everything is thrown into a saucepan and gently stirred together, a soothingContinue reading “Parkin”
Sweet Potato and Carrot Crisp
This recipe is a relic from my favourite Christmas cookbook of the 90’s (The Canadian Living Christmas Book, Copyright 1993, if you can get your hands on a copy). It’s an absolutely genius side dish that appears on my Christmas and Thanksgiving tables every year, without exception. You might expect my loyalty to this ratherContinue reading “Sweet Potato and Carrot Crisp”
Caroline Feeds 