DESPITE battling a runny nose, sore throat and a head that feels like it's full of cotton wool, I am planning a feast for eight tomorrow night (New Year's Eve).
It's a family party with people of all ages so I'm playing it safe and serving up some please-all Italian food.
We'd originally planned a strictly Italian menu, but with the volume of Christmas leftovers in the flat, we've decided to improvise rather than buy more food.
Santa brought me more olive oil than I know what to do with, so we'll be starting with some fresh bread and dipping oils.
Main course, I am keeping it cheap and easy with beef meatballs and rigatoni for the carnivores and spaghetti al pomodoro for the veggies. I say spaghetti, it'll have to be tagitelle as my mum says spaghetti reminds her of worms.
I'll serve a tray of roast vegetables, and salads of rocket and Parmesan and tomato and mozzarella, strewn with toasted pine nuts.
Dessert was originally going to be panettone bread and butter, but since we don't have any panettone I am using up the sticky gingerbread in the freezer and serving it warm with toffee sauce and cream. About as Italian as a Pizza Hut, but yummy none the less.
We also have a chocolate yule log to offer as an alternative. The other half has pledged to make some mint Bailey's ice cream to go with it, using our new Magimax icecream maker, which we found in our joint present stocking (although I am secretly heartbroken that he may get to use it first).
And as for petit fours, we have homemade mince pies and mini chocolate and cranberry muffins ready to go.
Blowing my nose into a screwed up tissue, I realise I am exhausted just writing about the planned menu. I hope I can pull it off, otherwise we'll be ordering in pizzas. I am sure no one would mind. I'll let you know how it goes...
What are your plans for New Year's Eve? Is it a chance for a final blow-out before the start of 2009?
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Sunday, 28 December 2008
Point of no Return
AFTER four days of marathon eating I've arrived back into work with my jeans feeling tighter than ever.
Had it been 2007, when skinny jeans were super cool, this state of affairs may not have been so bad, but these are 2008's boot-cut style and right now they are really not cut for this booty.
I have to sulkily turn down the tin of Cadbury's Roses doing the rounds... there are only strawberry cremes left anyway. But I like strawberry cremes!
I cannot deny it, I have shamelessly over indulged.
I knew I was at the point of no return when this morning's breakfast constituted fresh pineapple and Pringles. Sour cream and chive ones.
In my eyes, Christmas is a time for an 'anything goes' attitude. A bit of what you fancy, and all that.
Similarly, last night at a birthday party, my friends and I reveled in chicken curry topped with Walkers ready salted crisps.
"They make up for the lack of poppadums," justified the other half, probably hoping I hadn't noticed that he'd also got a side order of cocktail sausages mixed in.
Cheese melts biscuits smeared with Bonne Maman strawberry jam also proved a revelation on Christmas Day night.
I fear that my taste buds, and waist size will never be the same again.
Have you discovered any strangely delicious combinations this Christmas? Or have you remained faithful to the tried and tested route? Let me know...
Had it been 2007, when skinny jeans were super cool, this state of affairs may not have been so bad, but these are 2008's boot-cut style and right now they are really not cut for this booty.
I have to sulkily turn down the tin of Cadbury's Roses doing the rounds... there are only strawberry cremes left anyway. But I like strawberry cremes!
I cannot deny it, I have shamelessly over indulged.
I knew I was at the point of no return when this morning's breakfast constituted fresh pineapple and Pringles. Sour cream and chive ones.
In my eyes, Christmas is a time for an 'anything goes' attitude. A bit of what you fancy, and all that.
Similarly, last night at a birthday party, my friends and I reveled in chicken curry topped with Walkers ready salted crisps.
"They make up for the lack of poppadums," justified the other half, probably hoping I hadn't noticed that he'd also got a side order of cocktail sausages mixed in.
Cheese melts biscuits smeared with Bonne Maman strawberry jam also proved a revelation on Christmas Day night.
I fear that my taste buds, and waist size will never be the same again.
Have you discovered any strangely delicious combinations this Christmas? Or have you remained faithful to the tried and tested route? Let me know...
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
Let there be light!
AS I sink my teeth into my first slice of chocolate roulade my mind is already wandering.
In truly piggy fashion, I am already thinking about the next mouthful before savoring the last.
A nightmare at buffets, my plate may be piled high but I am envisaging the potato salad or mini samosa I'll scoff in the next round.
And while the big day may now be upon us, I can't help but ponder the food I might like to eat in forthcoming weeks.
After all the rich and heavy foods I will undoubtedly eat, I may want something light so I was delighted the hear that Woktastic in Paradise Forum is holding a 'January sale' on its delicious sushi.
Starting on December 27, diners can eat all they like from the conveyor belt for just a tenner.
Ironically, the fact that it's all-you-can-eat could defeat the object of opting for something light, but it is Christmas, and if you are sick of overloading on turkey sarnies and selection box chocs then sushi could be the answer.
I've only been to Woktastic once - when I was a day pupil at its brilliant sushi school - but was impressed by the quality of the food there. The fish used was market fresh and Toni, the head chef handles it expertly.
Woktastic is a new venture for owner/manager Ali Karakaya and it's great to see an individual restaurant thrive in Brum. There's one too many chain restaurants in the second city and while I am all for variety, I think we should support our local traders as much as possible.
So for this reason alone, and not at all because I am a glutton, I'll be popping along to take advantage of this festive offer. Why not give it a try too.
For more details on Woktastic visit its colourful website www. woktastic.co.uk
Merry Christmas!
In truly piggy fashion, I am already thinking about the next mouthful before savoring the last.
A nightmare at buffets, my plate may be piled high but I am envisaging the potato salad or mini samosa I'll scoff in the next round.
And while the big day may now be upon us, I can't help but ponder the food I might like to eat in forthcoming weeks.
After all the rich and heavy foods I will undoubtedly eat, I may want something light so I was delighted the hear that Woktastic in Paradise Forum is holding a 'January sale' on its delicious sushi.
Starting on December 27, diners can eat all they like from the conveyor belt for just a tenner.
Ironically, the fact that it's all-you-can-eat could defeat the object of opting for something light, but it is Christmas, and if you are sick of overloading on turkey sarnies and selection box chocs then sushi could be the answer.
I've only been to Woktastic once - when I was a day pupil at its brilliant sushi school - but was impressed by the quality of the food there. The fish used was market fresh and Toni, the head chef handles it expertly.
Woktastic is a new venture for owner/manager Ali Karakaya and it's great to see an individual restaurant thrive in Brum. There's one too many chain restaurants in the second city and while I am all for variety, I think we should support our local traders as much as possible.
So for this reason alone, and not at all because I am a glutton, I'll be popping along to take advantage of this festive offer. Why not give it a try too.
For more details on Woktastic visit its colourful website www. woktastic.co.uk
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Frohe Weihnachten! (Merry Christmas)
TONIGHT is your last chance to visit Birmingham's ever popular German Christmas Market.
It's hard to believe it's been there since mid-November. Time has really flown.
If you do plan to pop down and soak up the final drops of Christmas magic, there's plenty in the way of food and drink.
Traditionalists may wish to stick to the sausages, beer and mulled wine. The spicy 'red' sausages served in crusty rolls at the stall outside the council house (£2.80) are good and you probably won't be able to resist the scent of the garlicky potatoes, although I am told they aren't suitable if you're planning a mistletoe smooch. Unless you've shared them. For the fearless, there's garlic bread smothered with cheese.
I am yet to try the pretzels stuffed with brie and cranberry but they look delicious - tonight could be my last chance.
If it's a sweet tooth you need to satisfy, there's gorgeous buttery apple and cherry cake, fruit skewers dipped in chocolate and morsels of marzipan stollen everywhere you turn. At £2 and £3 the fruity skewers are pricey, but the chocolate is really good quality.
However if you prefer a taste of the exotic, there is the Mumbai Grill, serving skewers of chicken and lamb tikka wrapped in naan bread, and Woktastic for sizzling portions of stir-fried noodles.
Both of these stalls are in the craft part of the market, outside the library, and close to my favourite stand of all, which is selling cups of warm winter Pimms.
I look forward to the arrival of the market every year as, for me, it heralds the start of the festive season.
I may just have to weave my way through it one last time before it is packed up for another year...
It's hard to believe it's been there since mid-November. Time has really flown.
If you do plan to pop down and soak up the final drops of Christmas magic, there's plenty in the way of food and drink.
Traditionalists may wish to stick to the sausages, beer and mulled wine. The spicy 'red' sausages served in crusty rolls at the stall outside the council house (£2.80) are good and you probably won't be able to resist the scent of the garlicky potatoes, although I am told they aren't suitable if you're planning a mistletoe smooch. Unless you've shared them. For the fearless, there's garlic bread smothered with cheese.
I am yet to try the pretzels stuffed with brie and cranberry but they look delicious - tonight could be my last chance.
If it's a sweet tooth you need to satisfy, there's gorgeous buttery apple and cherry cake, fruit skewers dipped in chocolate and morsels of marzipan stollen everywhere you turn. At £2 and £3 the fruity skewers are pricey, but the chocolate is really good quality.
However if you prefer a taste of the exotic, there is the Mumbai Grill, serving skewers of chicken and lamb tikka wrapped in naan bread, and Woktastic for sizzling portions of stir-fried noodles.
Both of these stalls are in the craft part of the market, outside the library, and close to my favourite stand of all, which is selling cups of warm winter Pimms.
I look forward to the arrival of the market every year as, for me, it heralds the start of the festive season.
I may just have to weave my way through it one last time before it is packed up for another year...
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Three's not a crowd enough!
I WENT armed with a list.
This Christmas we were going to be 'sensible'.
"There's only three of us," the other half said. "Let's buy quality, not quantity," was his mantra.
All very right and reasonable.
And then I was struck by a bolt of lightening. Well, almost.
It started with a surge of nervous energy at the pit of my stomach in the supermarket car park, which further developed as I wrestled a super-sized trolley through the superstore doors.
And as the Christmas muzak hit my eardrum, a completely different beast took control.
I bided my time, calmly browsing the Christmas crackers, decorations and other festive paraphernalia, then the books and DVDs, clutching my list in a clammy palm.
But I could not escape the lure of the food aisles for long, and I was suddenly sucked in like a piece of dust to a vacuum.
My resolve to be 'sensible' lasted only moments and I was soon loading the trolley with random party nibbles. I could see my boyfriend roll his eyes.
"For Christmas Day night," I said, interrogating him over whether he'd prefer his king prawns breaded, butterflied or wrapped in filo pastry.
"Christmas Day night is all about cold cuts," he replied frostily. But it was too late, my mind was like scrambled egg, and I was soon having palpitations over cheeseboard choices. Are individual chunks better value for money than pretty boxed selections? Or should you buy a standard box and then supplement it with a few choice chunks?
The other half disappeared. Probably in disgust. But I was too busy, discussing with my mother whether a turkey for '6 to 8 people' would be enough for the two of us come Christmas Day. I was worried. Would there be enough cold cuts to satisfy our sandwich needs come Boxing Day?
And should we opt for it pre-stuffed, or cook out stuffing separately?
Mr Meetandtwoveg had returned. Thankfully he wasn't cross, instead quizzing me over which type of Cheddar I'd prefer, while sneaking a wedge of cinnamon and raisin flavoured cheese into the bulging trolley.
"Shopper's treat," he said.
Hooray! He'd joined in the glutinous fun.
But by the time we reached desserts, I'd become unhinged and stropped off into the freezer aisle. The pressure to choose whether we should feast on chocolate cheesecake or yule log just proved too much.
However, I was back in my stride by the salted snacks aisle, deciding there was an ocean of difference between shelled and salted nuts, and the chocolate covered variety, so packed in all three.
Hitting the tills was no mean feat and we had to pull up another chariot (trolley) in order to get the goodies to the car.
The problem now was where to put it all. Elasticated waistbands at the ready (part two).
What treats are you indulging in this Christmas? Let me know, I might just have to add it to the list...
This Christmas we were going to be 'sensible'.
"There's only three of us," the other half said. "Let's buy quality, not quantity," was his mantra.
All very right and reasonable.
And then I was struck by a bolt of lightening. Well, almost.
It started with a surge of nervous energy at the pit of my stomach in the supermarket car park, which further developed as I wrestled a super-sized trolley through the superstore doors.
And as the Christmas muzak hit my eardrum, a completely different beast took control.
I bided my time, calmly browsing the Christmas crackers, decorations and other festive paraphernalia, then the books and DVDs, clutching my list in a clammy palm.
But I could not escape the lure of the food aisles for long, and I was suddenly sucked in like a piece of dust to a vacuum.
My resolve to be 'sensible' lasted only moments and I was soon loading the trolley with random party nibbles. I could see my boyfriend roll his eyes.
"For Christmas Day night," I said, interrogating him over whether he'd prefer his king prawns breaded, butterflied or wrapped in filo pastry.
"Christmas Day night is all about cold cuts," he replied frostily. But it was too late, my mind was like scrambled egg, and I was soon having palpitations over cheeseboard choices. Are individual chunks better value for money than pretty boxed selections? Or should you buy a standard box and then supplement it with a few choice chunks?
The other half disappeared. Probably in disgust. But I was too busy, discussing with my mother whether a turkey for '6 to 8 people' would be enough for the two of us come Christmas Day. I was worried. Would there be enough cold cuts to satisfy our sandwich needs come Boxing Day?
And should we opt for it pre-stuffed, or cook out stuffing separately?
Mr Meetandtwoveg had returned. Thankfully he wasn't cross, instead quizzing me over which type of Cheddar I'd prefer, while sneaking a wedge of cinnamon and raisin flavoured cheese into the bulging trolley.
"Shopper's treat," he said.
Hooray! He'd joined in the glutinous fun.
But by the time we reached desserts, I'd become unhinged and stropped off into the freezer aisle. The pressure to choose whether we should feast on chocolate cheesecake or yule log just proved too much.
However, I was back in my stride by the salted snacks aisle, deciding there was an ocean of difference between shelled and salted nuts, and the chocolate covered variety, so packed in all three.
Hitting the tills was no mean feat and we had to pull up another chariot (trolley) in order to get the goodies to the car.
The problem now was where to put it all. Elasticated waistbands at the ready (part two).
What treats are you indulging in this Christmas? Let me know, I might just have to add it to the list...
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Sweet on the Swedes
IN my humble opinion Christmas menus are merely an opportunity for restaurants to increase prices and decrease quality.
Twenty-five quid for an insipid roast dinner and a splodge of microwaved Christmas pud? No thanks.
But there's somewhere bucking the trend of poor yuletide grub - and it's conveniently located just off the M6.
Ikea's cafeteria is serving up tasty festive fare at rock bottom prices.
Ikea cafeteria? You may well sniff, but when I ate lunch there yesterday with my vegetarian pal we not only left with happy tummies, but happy wallets too.
Okay, the surroundings might not be glamorous, and yes, you have to clear away your leftovers, but, I promise you, there's not a dry slice of turkey or a soggy roast spud in sight.
We both chose the vegetarian option, which unusually was neither nut roast or vegetable lasagne; instead, a delicious pumpkin strudel with spicy tomato sauce and roasted vegetables.
The meat option looked just as appealing; roast pork with a ginger sauce and red cabbage.
Oven-fresh, the strudel's pastry case was dotted with seeds and just crisp, while the filling - a mixture of pumpkin, chickpeas and spices such as cumin - was full of flavour and texture.
Instead of roasted vegetables we opted for peas, and although they were more than a tad shriveled from the heat lamp, the spicy tomato sauce was more than adequate to perk them up.
Side orders of bread rolls also got the thumbs up. "I thought it was going to be a bit hard, but break open the shell and the bread is lovely and fluffly," reported my mate.
There wasn't room for pud, despite the tempting choice of festive cake, Dime bar gateaux and plumb (sic) tarte.
With refillable drinks our bill came to less than a tenner. Leaving us plenty of change to spend in the foodmarket downstairs... Spot on!
Twenty-five quid for an insipid roast dinner and a splodge of microwaved Christmas pud? No thanks.
But there's somewhere bucking the trend of poor yuletide grub - and it's conveniently located just off the M6.
Ikea's cafeteria is serving up tasty festive fare at rock bottom prices.
Ikea cafeteria? You may well sniff, but when I ate lunch there yesterday with my vegetarian pal we not only left with happy tummies, but happy wallets too.
Okay, the surroundings might not be glamorous, and yes, you have to clear away your leftovers, but, I promise you, there's not a dry slice of turkey or a soggy roast spud in sight.
We both chose the vegetarian option, which unusually was neither nut roast or vegetable lasagne; instead, a delicious pumpkin strudel with spicy tomato sauce and roasted vegetables.
The meat option looked just as appealing; roast pork with a ginger sauce and red cabbage.
Oven-fresh, the strudel's pastry case was dotted with seeds and just crisp, while the filling - a mixture of pumpkin, chickpeas and spices such as cumin - was full of flavour and texture.
Instead of roasted vegetables we opted for peas, and although they were more than a tad shriveled from the heat lamp, the spicy tomato sauce was more than adequate to perk them up.
Side orders of bread rolls also got the thumbs up. "I thought it was going to be a bit hard, but break open the shell and the bread is lovely and fluffly," reported my mate.
There wasn't room for pud, despite the tempting choice of festive cake, Dime bar gateaux and plumb (sic) tarte.
With refillable drinks our bill came to less than a tenner. Leaving us plenty of change to spend in the foodmarket downstairs... Spot on!
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Nigella's Christmas Kitchen: Part Two
WHILE dribbling my way through last night's episode of Nigella's Christmas Kitchen my trance-like state was disturbed by the shrill sound of a text message being received by my phone.
It was my best friend. The message read, in full, said: 'Oh goodness. Just watching them eat that chocolate sticky cake thing I'm sure is putting inches on my belly'.
Never a truer word was spoken (or text). She was, of course, referring to Nigella's gut-busting pie recipe - a gloriously glutinous toffee pudding, that looks a bit like a cross between a banoffee pie (sans the bananas) and a cheesecake (minus the cheese), but contains more calories.
For the first time in our Nigella-watching history, my boyfriend's eyes glazed over not solely by the sight of Lawson's luscious curves.
"Can we have that this Christmas?" he asked. I assumed he was talking about the pie.
"I don't know if I have a pair of trousers to accommodate even looking at the pud, let alone eating it," I retorted. "If I eat that, my New Year's Eve frock won't fit. I won't so much be the belle of the ball, but the ball of the ball."
For anyone who missed seeing the construction of this magnificent pud, you can watch it again on BBC iplayer. In fact, I am just about to tune in myself. Elasticated waistbands at the ready...
It was my best friend. The message read, in full, said: 'Oh goodness. Just watching them eat that chocolate sticky cake thing I'm sure is putting inches on my belly'.
Never a truer word was spoken (or text). She was, of course, referring to Nigella's gut-busting pie recipe - a gloriously glutinous toffee pudding, that looks a bit like a cross between a banoffee pie (sans the bananas) and a cheesecake (minus the cheese), but contains more calories.
For the first time in our Nigella-watching history, my boyfriend's eyes glazed over not solely by the sight of Lawson's luscious curves.
"Can we have that this Christmas?" he asked. I assumed he was talking about the pie.
"I don't know if I have a pair of trousers to accommodate even looking at the pud, let alone eating it," I retorted. "If I eat that, my New Year's Eve frock won't fit. I won't so much be the belle of the ball, but the ball of the ball."
For anyone who missed seeing the construction of this magnificent pud, you can watch it again on BBC iplayer. In fact, I am just about to tune in myself. Elasticated waistbands at the ready...
Sunday, 14 December 2008
It's a jolly holiday (with Nigella)
DECK the halls, stoke the fire and dredge the mince pies with icing sugar.... Christmas starts tonight.
My festive excitement is set to hit fever pitch with the screening of the first episode of Nigella's Christmas Kitchen on BBC2 at 8.30pm.
If anyone knows how to celebrate Christmas in all its oozing, unctuous, calorific glory it's Nigella. I get goosebumps just watching the trailer.
I spent last night poring over the accompanying book - Nigella's Christmas - and am already thinking the lamb tagine with dates and pomegranates will make a brilliant alternative supper on Boxing Day.
'We can freeze any leftover for another night,' my lovely boyfriend said naively. Like there will be any leftovers.
Top of my Christmas list is a gigantic spoon so that, like Nigella, I can make the midnight pilgrimage to the fridge to hoover up any leftovers.
Are you looking forward to Nigella's Christmas Kitchen? It's on every night this week (bliss). Let me know which recipes inspire you...
My festive excitement is set to hit fever pitch with the screening of the first episode of Nigella's Christmas Kitchen on BBC2 at 8.30pm.
If anyone knows how to celebrate Christmas in all its oozing, unctuous, calorific glory it's Nigella. I get goosebumps just watching the trailer.
I spent last night poring over the accompanying book - Nigella's Christmas - and am already thinking the lamb tagine with dates and pomegranates will make a brilliant alternative supper on Boxing Day.
'We can freeze any leftover for another night,' my lovely boyfriend said naively. Like there will be any leftovers.
Top of my Christmas list is a gigantic spoon so that, like Nigella, I can make the midnight pilgrimage to the fridge to hoover up any leftovers.
Are you looking forward to Nigella's Christmas Kitchen? It's on every night this week (bliss). Let me know which recipes inspire you...
Saturday, 22 November 2008
All I want for Christmas.... (Part Two)
I DREAM of a Christmas stocking filled with foodie treats to stash in my secret store. So just incase Santa Claus is reading, and thinks I have been a good enough girl, here's 10 gastronomic goodies that wouldn't go amiss...
- Charbonnel et Walker dark praline chocolate bar
- Belazu Rose Harissa
- Aged balsamic vinegar
- Merchant Gourmet Dulce de Leche (to eat with a big spoon)
- Cottage Delights lemon curd
- Paxton and Whitfield white fig chutney
- Wheel of Cotswold Brie (not ideal to hang over the fireplace)
- Stuffed Medjool dates
- Honeycomb
- Lindt Lindor chocolates (Christmas staples)
What delicacies would you like to find wrapped up under the Christmas tree?
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
All I want for Christmas.... is glacier fruits
AFTER trawling seemingly every shop in Birmingham looking for glacier fruits to decorate my first ever homemade Christmas cake, I returned with little more than a bag of Brazil nuts. Hardly the enticing selection of festive fruits I'd had in mind.
I seemed to remember that House of Fraser's food hall selling individual glacier fruits behind their confectionery counter, but all they had yesterday were pre-packed trays of semi-dried fruits, including some crude-looking peaches, rather unsuitable to top the family cake.
So I admitted defeat and instead set to work with what I already had in store: Brazil nuts, walnuts, blanched almonds, glacier cherries and a handful or two of cranberries.
The cake, which I baked a week or so ago and had wrapped in tin foil, turned out lighter than I expected, a far cry from the dense, black treacle-coloured sponge my gran used to make. However, a nose to its surface revealed an enticing spicy, sweet smell, so I was satisfied it'd probably taste okay. Removing its domed top, to provide a flat work surface, (it actually looks like more of an Italian-style Panettone cake) further dispelled my concerns. Moist and fruity, it was the type of cake you could easily eat more than a slice of.
It's a tiny, just five inches in diameter, so covering it wasn't difficult. First melted apricot jam brushed across the surface, then I followed Nigella Lawson's tips of fitting the fruit and nuts together as if piecing together a jigsaw puzzle. Then more jam.
And, even though I'd dreamed of something more exotic, it actually turned out pretty well. I'll upload a picture of the end result when I get the chance (and the ability).
The recipe I used was from www.circlecity.co.uk, and I have included it below. I used half measures and this filled my five inch tin plus made three cake bars which I've decorated in the same way and plan to give as pressies! I only baked it for about two hours in the end.
If you know where all the glacier fruit have gone, please let me know... Or maybe I am just getting old and glacier fruit will be something banished to memories of Christmas past?
Ingredients
12oz Plain flour
1 Teaspoon mixed spice
4oz Ground almonds
8oz Currants
8oz Sultanas
8oz Raisins (stoned)
4oz Cherries (halved)
8oz Butter
8oz Soft brown sugar
6 Eggs, beaten with 8 tablespoons of milk
1 Tablespoon black treacle
Method
(1) Mix flour, spice and ground almonds together.
(2) Clean and mix fruit.
(3) Beat butter and sugar to a cream.
(4) Beat the eggs and milk together.
(5) Mix all these ingredients together.
(6) Add the fruit last. Bake for about 4 hrs.
First hour in a moderate oven 180°C (Gasmark 4), then slow oven at 150°C (Gasmark 2).
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