 Yesterday I told you about the cheese terrine we had for starters today its all about the chestnuts…mainly so you can make the chestnut stuffing from my festive menu but also so I can share my most recent blog for Francoise Murat Design on Christmassy foods and which also includes a fab chestnut jam and a chocolatey chestnut cake…so here it is….. (first posted 8 December the cakes are actually made now!) One of the wonderful things about Christmas is the fact that there are lots of chances to cook up delicious meals and food gifts for [...] Continue reading Festive menu,part 3 (all about chestnuts)  The first of the recipes from my festive menu is the cheese terrine we had as a starter with Peters Yard crispbreads and a selection of smoked and cured salmon from Forman’s. The terrine is adapted from a recipe in Delia Smith’s Christmas (the old version I’ve no idea if its in the recently published version). I particularly wanted to use a range of Lancashire cheeses but you could use any mix of cheeses you have and it would be a good way to use up what’s left of a cheese board. It makes a good starter [...] Continue reading Festive menu,part 2 (cheese terrine) I’m sure everyone has their festive menu’s already sorted. Their shopping list written,deliveries planned,meat ordered and so on. Down to the last detail. So my festive might have come to late. But if you are dithering then read on (and into the remaining parts as they appear) you might find some inspiration. And for those who have everything planned out with military precision well you might find some ideas for surpluses or things to make if you can’t get what you need for your menu on your final dash to the shops. I cooked this menu last weekend [...] Continue reading Festive menu,part 1  This post was originally published in early November in Francois Murat Design newsletter. Although the apple season is pretty much at an end now many varieties store well so this is still a lovely dish to make over the coming cold months…… Autumn is well and truly here,the nights are drawing in,the weather is cooling day by day. Many of the fruits and vegetables are harvested. Those that can be have been turned into preserves of various kinds or carefully stored away to be used over the winter months. Apples are still with us and there are varieties [...] Continue reading The fat of the land  I’ve been to local food festivals,I’ve been to food trade shows but I’ve never been to any of the big,big food shows like The Good Food Show. The idea of the NEC packed with good food is is slightly overwhelming. But this year I’m going to be there. Not cruising the aisles checking the produce mind you. Oh no. I shall be a Pop-Up Pie Assistant to the wonderful Brays Cottage Pork Pies. If you are in any doubt about their wonderfulness then consider that they were one of only ten producers selected from over 70 [...] Continue reading Good Food Show Winter 2010 (very special competition)  It’s coming to the end of harvest time but everywhere you look there are gluts of produce to be turned into something delicious. Some to be eaten now,some to be saved for the winter months. Gardens and hedgerows are filled with bounty and will continue to provide opportunities to harvest interesting things until late October. You might have your own fruit trees providing you with an abundance of apples,pears,plums or damsons,too many beans,courgettes or unripe tomatoes. Maybe a neighbour has a surfeit they need to share. There’s sure to be produce by peoples gates either [...] Continue reading Gluts of all types  “Ahhhhh…” came the voice from beyond the fence,“it isn’t a proper British summer without crab sandwiches,it really isn’t….I do declare that crab sandwiches are the epitome of the British seaside”. We sniggered quietly,picturing the lady next door lying on her sun lounger eating crab sandwiches and extolling their virtues loudly to no one in particular. And although amusing she had a point,proper sandwiches made with good brown bread,some lemony mayonnaise and fresh fresh crab really are rather lovely,and very British. Of course there is nothing to beat the British coastline in August for [...] Continue reading A British seaside summer… | | |
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