I always plan a supper for Christmas Eve. I never quite know whether friends as well as family will drop by, so I need a menu that can expand or contract without anything being wasted. Having done so much cooking earlier in the day ready for Christmas lunch itself, I add a list of simple supper foods that lend themselves to either being put on the table all at once, or served in stages. Again, it’s all about planning to ensure the day’s cooking agenda is manageable - and preferably you’ve roped someone in to help. How do you plan your Christmas Eve? Read the rest...
December 16 2015
News
Congratulations to Sian the Great Australian Bake Off 2015 winner. Read the rest...
Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without the indulgence of flavours we have but once a year; whether a slow cooked ham glistening with glaze, or the richness of a traditionally made pudding, festivities are marked by what is shared at the table. But that’s not to say a holiday shouldn’t be just that, which is why Maggie has made things all the less laborious and all the more delicious this year, with her small run Christmas range, including Salted Brandy Caramel as the perfect partner to her delicious Christmas pudding. Read the rest...
It always seems ironic that we most often think of using oysters for Summer celebrations, particularly Christmas, yet this is the time when many oysters are spawning and not at their best. Try and find ‘triploid oysters’ if you can; an oyster that has been propagated because it doesn't spawn. And I have to admit, whenever I get the chance, I search out the native Angasi oysters. Freshly shucked oysters served on a bed of ice is as good as it gets, but I also love to add an accompaniment such as a Verjuice and eschallot dressing. It’s so refreshing and the perfect addition to beautifully fresh oysters. How do you like to serve fresh oysters if they’re part of your Christmas table? Read the rest...
I always love making things from scratch, especially for Christmas, and so when I’m setting out to make my own mayonnaise, I’m already planning what I’ll do with the leftover egg whites. Pavlova! Pavlova was the first dessert I ever made whilst still in my teens, and today I still love it, although my tastes have become more ‘grown up’ as I often mix some creme fraiche into the whipped cream to add a little tang. Do you have any Christmas recipes that you love as much now as you did when you were a child? Read the rest...
