We’re all looking for ways to scale down our Christmas this year. So rather than baking three dozen cookies, how about a batch of brandy snaps instead? The recipe produces as few as eight of these elegant sweet cigars, though easily doubles or triples as well. Serve with your favourite digestif after a meal withContinue reading “Brandy Snaps”
Tag Archives: holiday
Chicken Tikka Marsala Triangles
Not to be confused with Chicken Tikka Masala. Chicken Tikka Masala given a festive – and inauthentic – twist with Christmassy flavours: booze, dried fruit and nuts. Very festive, indeed. Folded into a crisp phyllo shell, it’s the perfect party appetizer. Makes about 40 pieces Ingredients 2 tbsp butter 1 tbsp olive oil 1.5 cupsContinue reading “Chicken Tikka Marsala Triangles”
Fig, Goat’s Cheese and Prosciutto Bundles with a Rosemary, Honey & Brandy Glaze
Accurately described as a TASTE EXPLOSION. Make these and pretend you’re the guy from Love Actually who hopelessly uses “Taste Explosion?” as a pick-up line. If you’re unsuccessful, at least you’ll have more of these for yourself. Makes 18 pieces Ingredients 9 Dried figs Goat’s cheese 6 Slices prosciutto Rosemary Honey Brandy (port or sherryContinue reading “Fig, Goat’s Cheese and Prosciutto Bundles with a Rosemary, Honey & Brandy Glaze”
Rolled Turkey Breast Stuffed with Bacon, Cranberries and Pecans
Much less hassle (and expense) than the whole bird. If you’re a little apprehensive about cooking an entire turkey or just have fewer people coming ’round this year, this rolled and stuffed turkey breast is a great alternative. Slices like a dream, too. Substitute any dried fruit, nuts and booze – the method is theContinue reading “Rolled Turkey Breast Stuffed with Bacon, Cranberries and Pecans”
Ham and Gruyère Quiche
Ham and Gruyère is a particularly Christmassy combination. It would be great with a festive salad for a brunch around the Christmas period. Big Christmas gatherings necessitate lots of food, so I am more than happy to pull out my Grandmother’s beautiful – and enormous – quiche dish (Portmeirion c. 1972). She never did portionsContinue reading “Ham and Gruyère Quiche”
Smoked Mackerel Pâté with Yorkshire Pudding
If you really want to impress people but expend as little effort as possible, this appetizer is just the thing. Use my make-ahead tips below and you’ll be amazed at how effortlessly you can pull together this showstopper of an appetizer. If you can’t get smoked mackerel, smoked trout works beautifully. Feeds 4 – 6Continue reading “Smoked Mackerel Pâté with Yorkshire Pudding”
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
If you think you don’t like Brussels sprouts, you are definitely wrong. Roasting Brussels turns them into a completely different vegetable. Nutty, sweet and a little crisp, these little beauties are well-placed to convert. To make these, all you need to do is preheat your oven to 425F / 220C / 200C Fan. Cut theContinue reading “Roasted Brussels Sprouts”
Spiced Cranberry and Orange Scones
These Christmassy scones are so quick to make you could even whip them up on Christmas morning. Not that you need to, as they freeze beautifully. I make quite small scones as I find the size is a bit more manageable, portion-wise, especially alongside other things to eat. (And they look absolutely adorable.) A standardContinue reading “Spiced Cranberry and Orange Scones”
Italian Beef Stew
Part of my Festive Italian Feast, perfect for cosy winter entertaining. Feeds 6 Ingredients 100g pancetta, cut into small cubes 1kg stewing beef, cubed Olive oil Vegetable oil Salt and pepper 2 stalks celery 2 medium onions 2 carrots, peeled 4 cloves garlic 1 level tbsp chopped rosemary 2 bay leaves 2 tbsp tomato pasteContinue reading “Italian Beef Stew”
Chicory, Pomegranate and Pecan Salad
In festive red and green, this refreshing salad is a welcome change from heavier Christmas fare. The salad dressing makes more than you’ll need for this, but will keep in the fridge for about a week. No excuse not to eat your greens! Feeds 2 as a side or starter, or 1 as a lightContinue reading “Chicory, Pomegranate and Pecan Salad”
Caroline Feeds 