Christmas 2020

Welcome to our Christmas 2020 edition of bare ingredients. Well, what a year 2020 turned out for all of us. For us Foodies, it has been one where we developed our 'at home' culinary skills, and we have had to be very inventive in thinking new ways to cook those staples to avoid insurrection from the family.

So, Christmas is almost upon us, so let's make the big event something spectacular for the whole family to enjoy. We here at bare ingredients have been busy checking recipes, and Sarah has put together her Christmas Preparations list, including of things you need to be doing now so that on the big day there will be far less to prepare and do.

Roasted Citrus and Saffron Turkey with a Jewelled Couscous Stuffing

8-12 Portions (dependant on size)

Prep: 40 minutes
Cook: 2 1/2 - 3 hours (allow 18-20 minutes per 450g)

Recipe

Christmas Mince Pies

Prep: 20 minutes plus 30 minutes resting time for the pastry
Cook: 15 minutes

Recipe

German Christmas Bread Stollen

Prep: 20-30 minutes plus 3 hours rising
Cook: 30-40 minutes

Recipe

Christmas menu

Yes, the big event is only days away, and to avoid having you running around in a mad panic, Sarah has put together a menu that gives you both classic dishes and some modern ones to try.

One thing that will make the Christmas dinner a success is to start planning things now. You may have ordered the turkey or goose and will have it delivered to you close to Christmas day, but it is getting all of the tasks done earlier, and getting those essential ingredients now before the supermarket runs out of them.

Christmas Menu

Cin, Cin

Classic Champagne Cocktail Mulled Wine

Bizarre Fact: Cin Cin (Italian for Cheers) comes from the Chinese language “Ch'ing Ch’ing”, or “please, please“ in English, was from Chinese Sailors who used to say it to greet each other.

Nibbles

Arancini Cashew and Coriander Hummus Cauliflower and Chickpea Koftas Cheese and Walnut, Prunes in Prosciutto Cucumber Rounds with Smoked Salmon and Keta Golden Money Bags (Tung Tong) Raw Broad Bean Dip Salt Cod Balls with Saffron Alioli Sesame Five Spice Quail Eggs with Wasabi Creme Fraîche Thai Fish Cakes Thyme and Blue Cheese Grissini Vegetable Thai Curry Puffs

To Begin

Beetroot Gravlax Chicken and Mushroom Pate Mediterranean Vegetable Gateau with a Roasted Tomato Sauce Pigeon Terrine Potted Shrimps Ricotta Stuffed Courgette Flowers Spicy Poached Pear with a Baby Spinach, Stilton and Roasted Walnut Salad

Hammed

Rum and Pineapple Glazed Ham Rum Glazed Ham

The Main Attraction

Barbecued Salmon with Basil Aioli Caribbean Apricot Stuffed Roast Loin of Pork with a Couscous Salad East Asian Infused Roast Partridge on Bok Choy with Root Vegetable Coriander Dauphinoise Whole Poached Salmon Galantine of Goose Roasted Citrus and Saffron Turkey with a Jewelled Couscous Stuffing Roast Crown of Turkey with Legs Ballontine Roast Goose with Apple Stuffing Swiss Chard Pasta Rolls

Hot Potatoes

Barbecued New Potatoes in Pesto Oil Ginger and Coriander Layered Dauphinoise Hasselback Potatoes Jansson's Temptation Potato Dauphinoise Spiced Roast Vegetables Wedges

Brussels and Friends

Braised Red Cabbage with Caraway Seeds Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts and Honey Brussel Sprouts with Maple Syrup Toasted Pecans Lime and Honey Glazed Brussel Sprouts Purple Sprouting Broccoli with Sage and Tomato Concasse Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Chilled Accompaniments

Jewelled Couscous Large Tri-Colour Salad Rocket, Tomato and Buffalo Mozzarella Salad with Parmesan Crisps Salad of Roasted Summer Vegetables

A bit on the Side

Bacon and Sausage Koftas Chipolatas Wrapped in Bacon Oranges with Ham and Apricot Stuffing

Saucy or A Little More Sauce Please

Bread Sauce Cointreau and Cranberry Sauce Cranberry and Port Sauce Mango Chutney Plum Cheese

Sweet Happy Endings

Christmas Pudding Ice-Cream Hazelnut Meringue and Strawberry Gateau Pavlova Pimm's Trifle Self Saucing Chocolate Puddings Summer Pudding Terrine Cointreau Sauce Anglaise

Xmas Treats Anytime

Christmas Mince Pies German Christmas Bread Stollen Gingerbread Gingerbread House Christmas Cake Decorations

Hangers On or Leftovers

Ham Terrine Pea and Ham Soup

Seasonal Recipe Ideas

Sarah's Seasonal Recipe List has been updated with great ideas, which can be found below. Also, we have the August's guide to the best seasonal produce. It is our "What to eat now" guide for those who are looking to get the most out of their local ingredients. There are Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere articles.

Broad Beans and New Potato Tortilla

6-8 Portions

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes

Recipe

Asparagus and Herb Quiche

6 Portions

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes

Recipe

Cock-a-Leekie

4-6 Portions

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 2 hours

Recipe

Southern Hemisphere

To Begin

Broad Beans and New Potato Tortilla Goats Cheese, Ricotta and Mixed Herb Stuffed Courgette Flowers Tomato Salsa Traditional Guacamole

The Main Exhibit

Asparagus and Herb Quiche Tandoori Leg of Lamb Seafood with Chilli and Holly Basil

The Italian

Asparagus, Pea and Goats Cheese Risotto

The Apprentice

Broad Bean, Pea and Mint Salad Pilau Rice

On the side

Barbecued Flat Bread Strawberry Sweet Chilli Jam

The Encore

Coconut Rice with Banana and Mango Hazelnut Meringue and Strawberry Gateau Peach Melba

Northern Hemisphere

To Begin

Pumpkin and Coconut Soup Scallops and Black Pudding with Rocket and New Potatoes

Main Exhibit

Beef Rendang Cock-a-Leekie Herrings in Oats Kale Paneer Malaysian Fried Mackerel with a Spicy Sambal Pumpkin Gnocchi Venison Osso Buco

The Apprentice

Red Cabbage, Apple and Walnut Coleslaw Saffron Risotto Stuffed Chicory Gratin

On the side

Oaty Cheese Scones

The Encore

Aromatic Apple Pie Carrot Cake Fig and Frangipane Tart

Next issue

We are looking forwards to an updated Christmas Menu around the 15th, so keep you eye out for it. Also, please feel free to reach out to us about the new site. Simply pop over to Twitter or Facebook and send us a message.

Enjoy!

The bare ingredients team.