It’s not long now till the big day, and you’ve probably sorted your supermarket delivery by now, but if you can face adding some extras or popping into a supermarket, here are some other products that I recommend:
M&S Food – Always Excellent
Even if you’re a keen cook, I still think it’s a good idea to stock up on easy snacks and canapes, and the local supermarket is a godsend. Marks and Spencer has a fabulous range as usual, and many of them can be frozen.
I particularly like the mini Yorkshire puds £7.50 for 12 (Yorkshire puddings filled with creamy mushroom and pulled British beef with red wine, topped with a garlic and herb crumb).
The Caramelised Onion and Goat Cheese Tartlets too, are delicious and suitable for vegetarians (12 all butter puff pastry, topped with goat’s cheese and onions caramelised in balsamic and sherry vinegar.) The Crispy Duck Spring Rolls with a hoisin dip are even better value at £5.50 for a dozen.
There are ultra festive Bao Buns too, which will bring a smile to anyone’s face. Do check out the range at your local branch or, if you’ve already been sensible and booked a pre Christmas Ocado delivery, add them to your order.
Piggiwiggs in Blankets
And M&S Pigs in Blankets are double wrapped in bacon this year – and so delicious – made with outdoor bred British pork and dry cured artisan bacon. From around £5 and available in various sizes and packs.
Top Snacks
I always make sure that I have a good supply of snacks that can easily be turned into canapes, and the Crosta & Mollica range of Italian snacks is one of my favourites.
A few packs of Crostini, Bolli or Linguette will stand you in good stead. Just dunk in a dip, top with an anchovy or a chunk of cheese and – hey presto – you’re all set to rustle up a tray of appetisers for unexpected guests.
Widely available from around £2 a pack.
Italian Saviours – A Fab Standby
Make sure you have Parma Ham and Parmigiano Reggiano for all manner of snacks, sandwiches and other festive dishes. They’re Protected Designation of Origin products (PDO), meaning they can only be made in a specific area of Italy.
Parma Ham, a cured meat, is a healthier option than other types of red meat, and a good substitute for bacon, as it’s made with no nitrates or nitrites.
Parmigiano Reggiano is a unique cheese and made using artisanal, natural methods. As one of the oldest cheeses in the world, it’s undergone little change to the production process, and is made with just milk, salt and rennet with no additives or preservatives. Lots of recipe ideas for both are on their respective websites here and here
Little Bottles of Luxury Cream
I know there are loads of alcohol infused creams in the shops, but actually a really good, unadulterated, free range, single or double cream is hard to beat.
I recently tried some fabulous cream – it comes in little 250 ml glass bottles and is produced by Tom Parker Creamery. The creams are rich and velvety, with a full bodied creamy depth and they have so many uses.
The Tom Parker Creamery range comes in a fully recyclable, resealable glass bottle with a paper label. £2.60 at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado and speciality food stores nationwide.
Sparkling Sparklers
Your choice of festive wines for the big day is so important to the whole event…a great fizz for kicking off the celebrations is a bottle of Bouvet Ladubay Sparkling. They are very reasonably priced and Majestic has a strong range with prices from just £10 a bottle.
I was lucky enough to taste some recently and you can’t go wrong with them. My favourite was the Tresor Saumur Brut Vintage. Further info here
A Gutsy Red for the Roast
Whether you’re planning a large piece of roast beef, goose, or turkey (or any other roast meat to be honest) or lolling by the fire finishing up some cheese, a gutsy red wine pairs well, and at Christmas you want to make sure you’ve bought a good one.
Trivento, the UK’s leading Argentinian wine brand is celebrated for its exceptional Reserve Malbec range, has the perfect trio of red wines that are very widely available and start from around just £7. Whether you’re entertaining guests or cozying by the fire, Trivento Reserve Malbec, Private Reserve Malbec, and Golden Reserve Malbec are the ultimate companions .
I’d recommend pushing the boat out with the Golden Reserve at around £16 – after all, it is Christmas! And it’s on offer at Asda currently at £12.50, along with a great range of other wines, particularly the Asda excellent own label Extra Special range
Special Gin
One of my treats this year to feel the ‘festive spirit’ is Opihr Gin. It is so unusual, and delicately spiced, that it makes a really special G&T. It takes you on the journey along the Ancient Spice Route, with exotic botanicals such as cubeb berries from Malaysia, coriander from Morocco and cardamom from India.
My recommendation is not to use a slice of anything citrus to garnish – float a whole star anise on top…wow! It makes a stonkingly good Negroni too.
Opihr is available in it’s rather striking bottle from Tesco or Sainsbury’s at around £27 a bottle
A Top Scotch Tipple
But if a wee dram is more to your taste, do check out Torabhaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Using the purest island spring water, Torabhaig is an Isle of Skye whisky, complex and compelling as its land of origin. It’s the perfect, warming dram for any whisky lover this Christmas. Serve it neat, in front of a roaring fire.
Available from around £50 from Master of Malt
Not Just ‘Any’ Port
For many of us, a bottle of port is another festive treat. It goes so well with Stilton too. But try something different this year: Graham’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port.
Time-honoured skills, handed down from generation to generation. produce an extraordinary selection of Tawny Ports.
On the nose, it shows complex nutty aromas, combined with hints of honey and figs. On the palate, rich mature fruit flavours, mellowed with a luscious long finish. It’s a perfect match for sweet pastries, such as apple pie with cinnamon too.
Best enjoyed slightly chilled. RRP around £24 but currently on offer at £18.50 in Waitrose.
Cream Liqueurs at a Great Price
And finally, a cream liqueur is a Christmas treat. Either on the rocks, chilled, or over ice cream.
Lidl has a new dessert-inspired Irish Cream Liqueur range, featuring flavours such as Caramel Biscuit, Tiramisu, and White Chocolate. An affordable, indulgent, extra addition to holiday celebrations.
Delicious and priced very reasonably at under £8, the full range is available in stores nationwide.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
