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”
Tag Archives: make ahead
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”
Old Fashioned Beef Stew with Dumplings
Delightfully old fashioned and frugal, this meal is comfort and joy in a pot. The stew is deliberately simple in its ingredients, so make sure you use the best quality beef you can find. It’s a cheap cut and you don’t need very much, so go for quality, here. Although I would make this toContinue reading “Old Fashioned Beef Stew with Dumplings”
Lemon Semifreddo
I make this dessert every summer, without exception. Bright, cold, with a fabulous texture, and seriously lemony – a real slice of summer. This is adapted from a classic Giada De Laurentiis recipe, though I’ve dispensed with the amaretti biscuit base. The dreamy texture is too perfect without the interference of the crumbly biscuits. IContinue reading “Lemon Semifreddo”
Crispy Pork and Apple Crostini
This is a really exciting appetizer – crispy, shredded pork, spicy applesauce and peppery rocket are the perfect combination atop a crisp slice of baguette. What a treat. And while this might seem like a lot of work for an appetiser, it’s actually very easy and almost entirely make-ahead. The instructions are long, but theContinue reading “Crispy Pork and Apple Crostini”
An Afternoon of Festive Nibbles
All my favourites, rolled into one relaxing and Christmassy afternoon. Dispense with the dinner party this time of year and go in for something much simpler, but by no means less enjoyable. An Afternoon of Festive Nibbles Sugar & Spiced NutsCauliflower and Truffle SoupSliced BaguetteHard cheese (Gruyère, Aged cheddar or Comté)ProsciuttoSausage Rolls One thing allContinue reading “An Afternoon of Festive Nibbles”
Spiced Lamb with a Blanket of Herbs and Onions
This is an unusual, exciting and really delicious plate of food. The lamb is gently spiced, sweet and crispy, and its heavy blanket of greenery and red onion adds a very welcome hit of freshness. Pack it into pita breads with a quick stir-together sauce for a spectacular Eastern Mediterranean-inspired dinner. Feeds 4 Ingredients HalfContinue reading “Spiced Lamb with a Blanket of Herbs and Onions”
Chocolate Semifreddo
Semifreddo is similar to ice cream, except there’s no churning required and it’s a softer set once frozen. It’s often frozen in a loaf tin and sliced rather than scooped – as pictured above – making it very simple to store and serve. An ideal make-ahead dessert, this semifreddo is elegant, rich, and surprisingly easyContinue reading “Chocolate Semifreddo”
Spiced Cheddar Cheesecake
A showstopper, make-ahead appetizer, and addictive in the extreme. This would also make a really nice cheese course in lieu of dessert. To make this, you will require a 5-inch diameter springform tin, easily procured online. Make sure your cream cheese is very soft before starting, otherwise you won’t get a light, fluffy cheesecake. ThisContinue reading “Spiced Cheddar Cheesecake”
Caroline Feeds 