Thursday, December 17, 2015

Christmas Day just around the corner…..

The Festive Season is well & truly upon us….and with Christmas day just around the corner…

At this time of the year with so much going on its really important to plan this will take the stress out Cooking this Christmas.    So sit down, make yourself a nice cuppa… 

Firstly, write down a couple of basic menus for over the festive season from the menus write your  shopping list  this should only take about 15 mins but could save you hours and a lot of money --  you should also find you could do it all nearly in one trip out to the shops rather than ten!! 

Happy Planning & hope you have lots of fun this festive season!!!!

Do log on next week as we have a fantastic Christmas Day Menu planned!!



Magical Christmas 

Some households are extremely busy on Christmas morning, families barely get time to eat never mind relax...  

So how about making breakfast/brunch the day before and then all you do is pop into the oven on Christmas morning and 25 mins later its ready..

French Toast with mixed berry sauce

Bread soaked in a simple mixture of milk, sugar,  eggs – pop into a baking dish and leave in the fridge overnight - 

Next morning..Preheat oven to 200 degrees. . Bake until French toast is set in centre about 30 mins and serve with mixed berries or sliced bananas.


Snacks & Nibbles

Crunchy Christmas Crostini
Ciabatta bread, sliced, drizzled with olive oil and baked for 10 mins until golden and toasty..  cool on a wire rack – when cool top with crumbled stilton, drizzle of cranberry sauce or a slice of quince paste..

No fuss but sophisticated starter ideas...

Melon with Parma ham and cranberries..


A Fab Prawn Cocktail

I know this sounds so traditional, its all in the presentation… so I serve the Prawn Cocktail in martini glasses which I picked up in a bargain shop...  
4 prawns pp and 1 slice of smoked salmon pp
1 Lime cut into thin slices
1 Lemon 
1 Avocado
½ Iceberg lettuce

Marie Rose Sauce
Mayo, ketchup, lime juices splash of Worcestershire sauce combine
Slice the Smoked Salmon & avocado into bite sized pieces
Shred the iceberg lettuce – juice the lemon 

To Assemble.. place some shredded lettuce into each glass… squeeze a little lemon over each one
Pop in some prawns, smoked salmon & avocado
Drizzle with a little bit more lemon
Gently spoon over a little of the Marie Rose Sauce into each glass.. place the remainder into a bowl and leave on the centre of the table.

Flick a little cayenne pepper over the top of each glass for presentation…

Place a slice of lime on the side of each glass


Mixed salad leaves with crumbled Stilton cheese, Pinenuts & Semi Sundried Toms..– 
serve it with crusty bread

Combine the olive oil with the lemon & balsamic …  Can be made 2 days in advance & left in the fridge in a closed container..


Super simple veggies

Foil Veggie Parcels are a great way of saving space in your oven, cut down on the washing up and are vv tasty too!!

Simply tear off a piece of foil large enough to hold your veggies place the in the centre of the foil drizzle with olive oil, lemon, balsamic, red wine vinegar, fresh herbs, garlic .... lots of ideas ..


Carrots, parsnips sliced with a drizzle of olive oil, fresh thyme and a drizzle of honey.

Sliced peppers, Aubergines, Courgettes with 
Garlic,  black pepper red wine vinegar splash and a drizzle of olive oil.

Brussels sprouts coarsely chopped toss in a little melted butter place them in a big heap in the middle of your foil – season with salt and pepper cook until aldente ..  circa 20 mins 

Shredded Brussels sprouts w butter & seasoning
Shredded Brussels sprouts w chorizo, pancetta or bacon ..

Roast Brussel sprouts with pecans – slice brussel sprouts, pop into a baking tray toss with olive oil and pecan nuts and roast for 20 mins or until tender..


Enjoy…. It’s simple food with a touch of class!!

No comments:

Post a Comment