Festive Food

               

Once a year wonders and special occasion cooking - Christmas Cake, birthday feasts and food to bring the joy of sharing to your table.   

               

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Beesting FudgeBeesting Fudge

Bärenjäger is a fabulous sticky honey liqueur which fills this recipe with floral honey flavour ...

 

 

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Berry Swiss RollBerry Swiss Roll

Basic sponge is tremendously versatile and can be transformed in all sorts of ways – the most traditional of which is the good old Swiss Roll....

 

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BlinisBlinis

These delightful little Russian pancakes are traditionally served with smoked salmon, caviar and sour cream, which is delicious ...

 

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Caramel FudgeCaramel Fudge

I promise I'll stop with the fudge soon...it's just such a lovely easy thing to make and share ...

 

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Choc-nut FudgeChoc-nut Fudge

This is a lovely fudge, great to give as presents or to have a the end of a long languid meal with lots of strong black coffee, maybe even a liqueur ...

 

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Chocolate Chestnut Tart with Salt CaramelChocolate Chestnut Tart with Salt Caramel

This tart exploits the soft musky flavour of the chestnuts in the flour used to make the tart shell as well as in a dense salt caramel ...

 

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Chocolate Hazelnut MeringuesChocolate Hazelnut Meringues

For you, Mum.I wish I had those marvellous eggs you have on the farm ...

                   

 

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Chocolate MousseChocolate Mousse

A marvellous thing I have recently discovered about Chocolate Mousse is that if you spoon individual portions into ramekins and freeze, it makes the most astonishingly silky no-churn ice-cream ...

 

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Chocolate TrufflesChocolate Truffles

A Christmas tradition.There are unlimited versions of Chocolate Truffles you can experiment with, I have included a few of my favourites below ...

 

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Christmas CakeChristmas Cake

Every family has their own recipe for Christmas Cake and Christmas Pudding. Our recipe evolved following a very boisterous party on Boxing Day which required a hefty cake, smothered with plenty of Christmas spirit ...

 

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Christmas Fruitcake WreathChristmas Fruitcake Wreath

Made with as many beautiful dried fruits, glace berries and nuts as you can afford, this looks spectacular on your Christmas table, and is a slightly lighter version of it's Christmas Cake cousin ...

 

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Christmas FudgeChristmas Fudge

I know there are lots of fudge recipes listed here, the thing is most people do enjoy at least one piece of fudge at Christmas... and this recipe is just about as Christmassy as you can get ...

 

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Christmas SaladChristmas Salad

Ok technically not just for Christmas, but it makes me think of Christmas every time I make it – and for me Christmas is synonymous with cooking ...

 

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Christmas Tree BiscuitsChristmas Tree Biscuits

These are pretty little biscuits, decorated however elaborately you like, into Christmas trees ...

 

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Coffee FudgeCoffee Fudge

 If you are a coffee fan (as I am) this has to be tried ...

         

 

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Creamy Baked SeafoodCreamy Baked Seafood

This dish is a fabulous addition to a Winter dinner party ...

                

 

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Chutney Glazed Baked HamChutney Glazed Baked Ham

I can highly recommend this for infusing the meat with deep flavour and just a little kick ...

 

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Elderflower JellyElderflower Jelly

This jelly uses both St Germain liqueur (lovely Elderflower liqueur) as well as Elderflower cordial. The result is a light, elegant jelly with a sweet exotic flavour that goes tremendously well with berries. ...

 

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Elderflower TrifleElderflower Trifle

Trifles really are a matter of personal taste, and you can make them as elaborate or as pared back as you wish ...

 

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Fillet of BeefFillet of Beef

The beef fillet is one of the most tender and delicous pieces of meat you can purchase. Here are two methods to get the best for your money ...

 

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Fruit Mince PiesFruit Mince Pies

Christmas isn't complete until you've had a couple of fruit mince pies – not ghastly store-bought one – proper home-made rustic Fruit Mince Pies ...

 

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Lime Infused PavlovaLime Infused Pavlova

Limes have a way of bringing tropical exoticism into the kitchen, and when matched with mango – well, you are really in business then ...

 

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Limoncello and Elderflower TiramisuLimoncello and Elderflower Tiramisu

Sweet and tangy this is a lovely elegant dessert - made in individual portions or as a large generous tart ...

 

 

 

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Macademia ShortbreadMacadamia Shortbread

If you are fond of shortbread, this is a great way to add a little something to them. These are particularly good at Christmas time, as they make great gifts and last well ...

 

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Pandan ShortbreadPandan Shortbread

These are gorgeously green and great for Christmas and St Patricks Day, the pandan flavour is subtle and yummy ...

 

 

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Parisian TerrineParisian Terrine

This is my ode to Paris in the form of a terrine - so many meals in France begin with a lovely terrine, we should all embrace it from time to time ...

 

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Orange and Raspberry MousseOrange and Raspberry Mousse

This cloud-like mousse is deceptively rich and heavy with the flavours of Summer.It makes a lovely cool end of meal dessert ...

 

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Traditional CheesecakePassionfruit and Pomegranate Cheesecake

Traditional Cheesecake - with an indulgent topping ...

 

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Pandan CupcakesPandan Cupcakes

Part of me loves Pandan cake just for the vivid colour - however the flavour is delicious too. They look fabulous with brightly coloured frosting - very Christmassy and green...

 

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PanfortePanforte

An Italian Christmas favourite ...

               

 

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Pecan PiePecan Pie

An all American favourite ...

              

 

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ProfiterolesProfiteroles

Profiteroles are a great way to cater for a large group, as they can be prepared in advance then filled and topped just before serving ...

 

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Pumpkin PiePumpkin Pie

Special treat or everyday supper it is a sweet, spicy and comforting pie ...

                  

 

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Raspberry Chambord Jelly ShootersRaspberry Chambord Jelly Shooters

Use other berries if you wish, this is a very simple and delicious summer treat ...

 

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Raspberry Red Velvet ShortbreadRaspberry Red Velvet Shortbread

The fresh raspberries mean the shortbread is tangy and sweet without being overly buttery ...

 

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Rainbow Trout in BeerRainbow Trout in Beer

Rainbow Trout is a lovely delicate fish that can be cooked in many different ways to draw out its natural sweetness ...

 

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Raspberry and Almond TartRaspberry and Almond Tart

Use other berries if you wish, this is a very simple and delicious summer treat ...

 

 

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Retro Prawn CocktailRetro Prawn Cocktail

Another survivor of a bygone era, there is something entirely whimsical about a truly retro prawn cocktail ...

 

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Roast GooseRoast Goose

Goose is much sweeter meat than turkey and I think it is well worth hunting one out at a good gourmet butcher ...

 

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Roast VenisonRoast Venison

Venison is very low in fat and has a dense, rich texture.It is ideally suited to long, gentle cooking either in stews or as a roast ...

 

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Rocky RoadRocky Road

Home-made Rocky Road is wonderful as you are able to add and remove all the bits you like ...

 

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Seafood CrepesSeafood Crepes

Great for dinner parties. Crêpes and white sauce can be made ahead of time, adding the seafood at the last minute while your guests are present ...

 

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Stuffed Quail BreastsStuffed Quail Breasts

Fabulous canapé or entrée, they look beautiful and the taste is nothing short of a revelation if you are new to quail ...

 

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TiramisuTiramisu

This has to be one of the most desirable desserts on earth ...

                

 

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White Christmas FudgeWhite Christmas Fudge

Another Christmas favourite – this fudge looks beautiful and is particularly good served with the Choc-Nut fudge for contrast ...

 

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