Please note
- All eggs are large, free-range
- All dark chocolate is 70% cocoa solids minimum
- All baking ingredients are room temperature unless stated otherwise
- Recipes containing raw or partially cooked eggs should not be served to those with weak or compromised immune systems.
- Please be sure to read a recipe through before starting,
- Also, remember that a recipe is only a blueprint. Enjoy the experiment, eat, and repeat until it is your own.
Mulled CiderBy danieldiverIf you want to fill your home with the scent of Christmas this mulled cider recipe certainly will and also provides a delicious drink. Fruity with mellow notes of spices and very easily drank. It can be a welcoming change to the ubiquitous glass of mulled wine that is forced upon guest as they enter any Christmas party. I have nothing against mulled wine, in fact I do rather enjoy a glass.
If you require an alcohol free version swap the cider for apple juice and simply omit the sugar as the apple juice should be sweet enough. Mulled Cider Red CabbageBy danieldiverI love cranberries and use the repeatedly in many dishes over the Christmas period. I have for quite awhile been using them in my braised cabbage. This recipe is fairly new to me. I make cider braised red cabbage quite a bit and recently I had leftover mulled cider and thought why not add it to my cabbage I normally would add cider, star anise and cinnamon to the pan anyways doing it with leftover mulled cider made sense as these are the key ingredients to any mulled cider. So if you haven't got mulled cider simply use the same amount of apple cider along with a star anise and a cinnamon stick.
It never ceases to amaze may just how far this goes, I cool and freeze half for future use. Nduja want a sausage roll?By danieldiverLiven up any party with these delicious fiery sausage rolls. Not only are they a cinch to make but they taste amazing. Golden sausage party sized sausage rolls that are brightened up thanks to the addition of Nduja the spicy salami paste.
Note: If you are not a fan of heat then you could omit the Nduja and have plain sausage rolls. Panettone PuddingBy danieldiverA super easy bread pudding that uses that classic Italian Sweet bread Panettone as it base. Making for a sweet and comforting pudding that will scent your home with warm Christmas aroma as it bakes. You can use pandoro instead of panettone and add 100g chocolate chip as well. Party Popcorn ChickenBy danieldiverWho doesn't love some crispy popcorn chicken? so it seems to me that it is the perfect party food. I have given it a little twist and made it a little more grown up. What I love about popcorn chicken is everyone loves it, and it is good eaten hot or cold. I fill lots of small bowls with the chicken and little bowls or ramekins with the ketchup. At every step the chicken gets a flavour kick, every step of the preparation adds another layer of flavour. It starts out simple enough with well-seasoned flour, followed by the egg wash which has Dijon mustard and minced garlic, and the panko coating is highly flavoured with lots of herbs and spices. If you have popcorn chicken, you need a dip to go with ketchup is usual and I have made a suitable grown-up version to go with my grown-up popcorn chicken. It is fiery and packed full of flavour.
Note: The ketchup can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator in a airtight container. Potato & Turnip GratinBy danieldiverThis makes the perfect side dish for almost any roast dinner. I usually have it to accompany a plain roast chicken or roast duck. I do find potato gratin or dauphinoise can be a little too sickly the sweet earthiness of the thinly sliced turnip or swede if you prefer cuts the richness of the dish.
Note: If you are roasting a joint of meat you can also cook on a lower heat 170°C for 1 - 2 hours until tender. Allowing you to cook both meat and potatoes in the same oven. Rocky Road Chocolate PuddingBy danieldiverChristmas pudding doesn't get much easier than this. I rarely make a proper Christmas pudding anymore as I'm the only one that eats it instead I make this chocolate rocky road version. That is so simple and doesn't require any baking. It also last for ages so is great should you have anyone drop in over the Christmas period. Ruby & Gold Rocky RoadBy danieldiverMy festive ruby and gold rocky road is very easy to make and requires next to no cooking. Studded with crunchy biscuits, honeycomb, marshmallows, and the shiny ruby redness of cherries it makes the ideal treat for this time of year for when guest drop by or as a solo treat for yourself with a cup of tea. It's a very versatile recipe that lends itself well to almost any sweet ingredient you wish to add. Salted Caramel Apple BundtBy danieldiverA delicious apple bundt cake with a smoked salted caramel sauce. Sausage, Sage & Apple StuffingBy danieldiverFor me Christmas dinner is all about tradition and it is traditional in our house to have a sausage meat stuffing. I use a couple of eggs in the stuffing to bind it all together so that it can be sliced later into thick slices and squeezed between two slices of thick good bread with some cold turkey, hot crispy bacon, bread sauce and a little cranberry sauce too.
Making ahead: After the sausage meat mixture has been cooked and breadcrumbs stirred through, cover with cling film and refrigerate. When ready to cook add the eggs and continue on as normal with the recipe.Slow Cooker Sticky Toffee PuddingBy danieldiverThis sticky date pudding is cooked in quite a radical way. It does require a leap of faith but you rewarded with a tender sponge, much like a steamed sponge and a molasses rich sauce with very little work. White Chocolate & Cranberry Christmas MuffinsBy danieldiverWhat i love about muffins is that they are so simple to make. It's as simple as mixing dry ingredients and wet ingredients together and stirring lazily until barely combined, after all lightly stirred muffin produces a light end product. A quick blast in the oven and you will have a delicious batch of muffins to enjoy throughout the day.