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December 10th, 2011Accompaniments, Free From and Festive
Recipe and Image Genius Foods and Lactofree (www.geniusglutenfree.com / www.lactofree.co.uk )
In my view, Christmas isn’t Christmas without this delicious gluten free stuffing. The recipe is for a 5.53kg /12lb oven ready turkey and can be made a day in advance.
Apricot, Orange and Chestnut StuffingIngredients
- 1½ onions, very finely diced
- 2 sticks of celery, finely diced
- 2 tbsp of oil
- 2 level tsp salt and eight generous grinds or 1 level tsp of black pepper
- 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 450g / 1lb minced pork belly
- 400g / 14oz tinned unsweetened chestnut puree
- 4 medium slices of Genius white or brown bread, whizzed into fine breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp each of finely chopped leaves of fresh thyme, sage and curly parsley
- zest of 1 orange
- 110g / 4oz dried ready to eat apricots, roughly chopped
- 1 egg, beaten
Method
- Place the onion and celery in a pan with the oil. Season generously with salt and pepper and gently fry, covered with a lid, until the onion is very soft and sweet. Add the garlic and fry, stirring constantly, for a further 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.
- When cool, tip the softened onion mixture into a large bowl with all the remaining ingredients and thoroughly mix together with your hands.
- Push the stuffing into the neck end of the turkey. Cover with the skin flap and secure with a skewer.
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December 10th, 2011Accompaniments, Free From and Festive
Recipe and Image Genius Foods and Lactofree (www.geniusglutenfree.com / www.lactofree.co.uk )
Bread sauce provides an aromatic and creamy accompaniment to the Traditional Christmas roast and is easily adapted for gluten and lactose free diets, by using Genius bread and Lactofree milk.
Bread SauceIngredients
- 1 small onion, cut across into halves
- Whole cloves
- 500ml / ¾ pint of Lactofree milk
- 2 bay leaves
- Plenty of fresh black pepper (4 grinds)
- A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
- ½ tsp of salt
- 4 medium slices of White Genius Gluten Free Bread, whizzed into fine breadcrumbs
- 30g / 1oz dairy free butter substitute
Method
- Stud the cut side of the onion halves with the cloves and place, cloves down in a medium, heavy bottomed pan.
- Place the bay leaves, nutmeg, four grinds of black pepper and salt with the milk into the pan and slowly bring the milk to a gentle simmer. Simmer for five minutes then remove from the heat and leave the ingredients to infuse until the milk is cool. Strain the flavoured milk, through a sieve into a clean pan.
- Gently reheat the milk to a simmer and stir in the breadcrumbs. Stir slowly over a low heat until the breadcrumbs are soft and swollen and have thickened the sauce.
- The sauce should be creamy in consistency, so add a splash more milk if it is too thick.
- Just before serving, stir in the butter, taste and season with more salt and freshly ground pepper, as necessary.
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December 8th, 2011Blog
Words Dawn Cromar / Image xxxxx
Dawn Cromar realises it’s not just the kids that can be fussy eaters . . .
The next time I give my kids into trouble for not trying something new, I should stop myself! For just last weekend, I realised that I am guilty of thinking I don’t like something, just because I haven’t really tried it before!
I took the children on a Santa train ride, which involved a short trip on a vintage train before heading into the restored station for refreshments and the all important visit to Santa’s grotto. We were there with my friend, her two children, my sister and another friend, and three of us adults declared that we didn’t really like mincemeat pies, so we would just have a biscuit with our cups of tea.
It wasn’t until we thought about it, that we realised we hadn’t actually tried mincemeat – it was just one of those things we had decided we didn’t like.
So we elected to give Christmas mince pies a go; and were surprised to realise that we all actually did like them, much to the delight of my other friend who watched this with some amusement. (She has since dropped off a pack of luxury mincemeat pies for me to enjoy).
After mistakenly believing that I dislike mince pies for my entire life, I have obviously never thought about making them. So perhaps this will be a project before Christmas!
It made me think, that I am very quick at telling my kids off if they won’t try a new food; perhaps we do just think we don’t like certain foods by the look or thought of them. Perhaps the sight of a Brussels sprout or a parsnip conveys the same messages to them, as mincemeat pies had to my friends and me.
I now promise not to be so judgmental when my children show a less than enthusiastic approach to something new – I can make it my New Year’s resolution along with being more culinary adventurous myself!
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December 8th, 2011Blog
Words Dawn Cromar / Image istock
With the task of procuring multiple gifts ahead of her, Dawn Cromar tells how to keep costs down and recipients happy with homemade, edible gifts . . .
Buying Christmas presents is a daunting task, particularly when choosing something for someone you don’t know particularly well.
I find it tricky to know which gifts to select for my son’s school teachers; I am sure they receive an abundance of chocolates and soap sets at Christmas and before the summer holidays.
When Seth left nursery before the summer holidays this year, prior to starting at ‘the big school’, I was left with a dilemma as to what parting gift we should purchase for his class teacher and the classroom assistants. As he attended two nursery schools, I had seven or eight presents to choose.
I didn’t want to go along the usual box of chocolates or candle sets route, so decided we would try to be creative and make something. I thought this would be especially nice since it was the last time he would be in these classes.
We considered making something with crafts (but this isn’t a favourite pastime for my son) but came up with the idea of baking something instead.
We made two large batches of chocolate fudge brownies as well as some chocolate chip rock cakes. Seth helped with the weighing, mixing and stirring so it was nice that he was involved in the process.
We obtained some lovely baking bags and raffia ribbon from my friend, and popped one brownie and one rock cake in each bag before tying them up with a nice bow. Looked very professional even if I do say so myself!!
The recipients were quite emotional when they received their gifts; I think they were pleased to be given something that the pupil had been involved in creating.
I will be thinking up some alternative baked goods to prepare for the end of term this year . . . I am thinking peppermint creams or something equally scrummy! Watch this space to see what we decide to make!
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December 4th, 2011Promotions
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December 4th, 2011Promotions
[showafter on=”2011-12-10″]Sorry, this competition has closed[/showafter]
If you’ve ever wanted to become self-sufficient, here’s your chance to give it a try. Go Green is a new board game for all ages. Use your wheelbarrow to move around the board to collect fruit, vegetables, pigs and chickens. The winner is the first to fill their garden and allotment with the most produce and animals.
And it’s not just great fun to play . . . it’s educational too! Learn lots of fun and useful facts with thought-provoking multiple choice questions.
For your chance to win one of two Go Green board games, simply answer the following question (hint – visit www.gogreenboardgame.co.uk to discover the answer and lots more interesting and fun facts):
How many sweaters can one sheep produce with one fleece?
[form form-4]
The Go Green board game is available from Dobbies Garden Centres and The Entertainer Toyshop. For more information, fun facts and a full list of stockists, visit www.gogreenboardgame.co.uk
Terms and Conditions: Entrants must be over 18 years of age. There is no cash alternative. The competition is valid for UK residents only. No responsibility is taken for entries lost or delayed. Competition closes on the 9th December 2011. Two winners will be chosen at random and notified within four days of the closing date.
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December 4th, 2011Mains, Totally Turkeys
Recipe and Image Totally Traditional Turkeys (www.totallytraditionalturkeys.co.uk)
A hearty dish that’s both smoky and sweet. Serve with toasted bread for dipping.
Turkey, Smoked Bacon and Sweetcorn ChowderIngredients
- 30g Butter
- 120g of smoked streaky bacon, diced
- 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 large potato, peeled and cut into small chunks
- 750ml turkey stock (made from the carcass of the turkey – or you can use chicken stock cubes)
- 300g cooked Totally Traditional Turkey, cut into small chunks
- 150g of fresh, canned or frozen sweet corn niblets
- 150ml double cream
- 150ml full fat milk
- 1 tbsp corn flour, blended with 1 tbsp cold water
- 3 spring onions, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Sea salt and black pepper
Method
- Melt the butter in a large heavy bottomed saucepan and gently fry the bacon. Add the onion and potato and cook slowly for a further 2 minutes, stirring continuously and taking care not to brown. Then add the stock to the saucepan and bring to the boil, then reduce to a low heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are just soft. Add the turkey, sweet corn, cream and milk to the pan and cook gently for a further 5 minutes. In a small bowl, blend the corn flour with the water and add to the saucepan, stirring until thickened. Then add the finely chopped spring onion and parsley, season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper if a little too thick add a little more turkey stock. Serve with toasted bread.
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December 4th, 2011Starters and Light Bites, Mains, Totally Turkeys
Recipe and Image Totally Traditional Turkeys (www.totallytraditionalturkeys.co.uk)
This salad can be served as a generous starter – or serve it with fresh crusty bread for a light bite.
Turkey and Orange Prune Salad with Toasted Pecan NutsIngredients
- 12 ready to eat prunes, stoned
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- 100g rocket leaves, washed
- 100g watercress leaves, washed
- 2 oranges
- 50g pecan nuts, toasted
- 500g cooked Totally Traditional Turkey breast, cut into chunks
- For the Dressing:
- 3 tbsp rapeseed oil
- 1 tbsp cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp if the reserved orange juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ tbsp grain mustard
- Chives to decorate
- Sea salt and black pepper
Method
- Place the prunes in 2 tbsp of orange juice and simmer for 2 minutes, until the prunes are slightly soft. Remove from the juice and cool – reserve the juice. Take the orange peel and segment them and set aside.
- To make the dressing, mix all of the ingredients together and season with sea salt and black pepper. To assemble the salad, divide the rocket and watercress leaves between 4 plates, layer up the leaves, with the turkey, orange segments, prunes and pecan nuts.
- Dress the salads and garnish with the chives if you wish.
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December 4th, 2011Mains, Totally Turkeys
Recipe and Image Totally Traditional Turkeys (www.totallytraditionalturkeys.co.uk)
Everyone will love this festive twist on the BLT. You can serve it with fries for a more filling lunchtime treat.
The Ultimate Turkey Gobbler Sandwich with Cranberry MayoIngredients
- For the cranberry mayo:
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp cranberry sauce
- A squeeze lemon juice
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 6 rashes streaky bacon
- 4 lettuce leaves, washed
- 150g cooked Totally Traditional Turkey, sliced or shredded
- 1 large tomato, sliced
- 2 handfuls potato crisps
- 6 slices wholemeal bread
- Butter for spreading on the bread
- Sea salt and black pepper
Method
- To make the cranberry mayo, mix all of the ingredients together and set aside.
- Grill the bacon rashes until crispy and drain onto kitchen paper. Toast the bread on both sides and butter, to assemble each sandwich, layer one piece of toast; a lettuce leaf, sliced turkey and some cranberry mayo. Place a second piece of toast on top and layer again, with more mayo, streaky bacon, lettuce and the tomato.
- Season well with sea salt and black pepper and top with another piece of toast, cut in half and spike each half with a cocktail stick and serve with potato crisps.
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December 4th, 2011Accompaniments, Totally Turkeys
Recipe and Image Totally Traditional Turkeys (www.totallytraditionalturkeys.co.uk)
Serve with the Christmas roast for a really traditional feast.
Homemade Turkey Gravy with SherryIngredients
- For the stock:
- Giblets from a Totally Traditional Turkey
- 1 onion, cut into quarters
- 2 carrots, cut into chunks
- 1 stick of celery, cut into chunks
- 1 fresh bay leaf
- 3 sprigs of parsley
- 1 sprig of thyme
- 5 black peppercorns
- To finish the gravy:
- 1 tsp redcurrant jelly
- 750ml of Totally Traditional Turkey giblet stock
- 100ml sherry
- 2 tbsp of plain flour
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C/Gas 6. Wash the giblets in cold water, place in a large pan with 1.5 litres of cold water. Bring to the boil and removed any scum of the top of the water with a slatted spoon. Then add the rest of the ingredients, cover and simmer for 40 minutes.
- Uncover the pan and simmer for a further 20-30 minutes or until the stock has reduced by half. Remove from the heat and strain into a bowl, leave to cool, cover and place in the fridge or use immediately.
- To make the gravy, bring the stock back to the boil and remove from the heat.
- When the turkey is cooked pour off the fat from the roasting juices, place the tin on the hob, whisk in the flour and place over a low heat and cook the flour mixture making sure you have scrapped up all the meaty sticky bits, on the bottom of the tin and stir constantly. After 2 minutes, remove from the heat and whisk in the turkey giblet stock and redcurrant jelly, bring slowly to the boil, stirring constantly.
- Add the sherry and cook for a further 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Season to taste add a little more sherry if you want and then strain into a warm jug and serve. Any leftover turkey sherry gravy can be frozen. The giblet stock can be made 2 days before required.