Mince pie time For Christmas, Boxing Day or a tea break treat, we’ve got marvellous mince pies for every occasion
ICED DELIGHT Asda Chosen by you Iced Mince Pies, £1 (6-pack) Topped with soft fondant icing, these are sure to be a hit with kids and those with a sweet tooth! The fruity filling has just enough citrus tang to balance the sweetness, too. A super twist on the traditional and just the job with a cuppa! CLASSIC CHOICE Asda Chosen by you Mince Pies, £1 (4-pack) Spoil your guests with these yummy pies. Freshly baked in store for that homemade taste, the crumbly shortcrust pastry is crammed with juicy dried fruit and dusted with icing sugar. MINIATURE TREAT Extra Special Buttery Mini Mince Pies, £2 (12-pack) With a port and brandy-infused filling and butter shortcrust pastry, these little mince pies are a deluxe treat. Enjoy with a glass of mulled wine. These pies are just a taster – you’ll find the full range in store.
DECEMBER 2013 | ASDA.COM/MAGAZINE | 47
WORDS: MARILYN WRIGHT. PHOTOGRAPH: JONATHAN KENNEDY. STYLING: REBECCA NEWPORT. FOOD STYLING: VICKI SMALLWOOD
Take 3 pies…
EXPERT ADVICE
Q My mum always told me
ssels to put a cross in my Bru this? do to d nee I Do sprouts. Irene Russell A In the past, sprouts were bigger and a cut in the k bottom made them coo But through more quickly. now sprouts are much smaller, a cross in the bottom would make no them go mushy – and s! one likes soggy sprout
3 WAYS TO PERFECT ROAST POTATOES
We all think we make the best roast potatoes, but there are so many different ways to do it. We’ve picked our top three...
1Adding a 1 level tbsp
cornflour to your potatoes will give them a lovely crispy coating.
2 Using cold sunflower oil
works just as well as hot oil. it’s safer – no hot fat to splatter – and saves a lot of hassle.
3 Cooking your potatoes in
goose or duck fat will give your potatoes fantastic flavour. It also makes the outside crispy and the inside soft – just what you want!
GET-AHEAD GRAVY
Have a pre-Christmas chicken roast and make stock in advance. Simmer the bones for a few hours with carrot, celery, onion and herbs. Strain. Drain the fat from the roasting tin and stir 2tbsp flour into the remaining juices. In a saucepan, whisk in 600ml stock. Store in the freezer.
TURKEY FLAVOURINGS Buttering your turkey gives it great flavour and keeps the meat moist. Simply lift the skin near the neck so you can get your hand in and rub the butter between skin and the flesh. Try adding herbs and lemon to butter, or mix in cinnamon and cumin, or the zest of an orange and tarragon.
DO YOU KNOW... ...these Christmas veg shortcuts? They’ll save you precious time on the day itself. ♦ Trimmed sprouts and peeled, sliced carrots will keep for up to a day if stored in an airtight container. ♦ Peeled and cut potatoes and parsnips can be left in a bowl or pan of cold water overnight. ♦ Red cabbage can be cooked a day or two in advance and reheated. This will also freeze beautifully.
GET IN TOUCH Email us your cooking tips or dilemmas – you could win a £50 Asda gift card if your letter is featured. Email asda.editor@asdamagazine.co.uk 58 | ASDA.COM/MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2013
FESTIVE FEAST TIMEPLAN
Preparation the day before Do as much as you can in advance, then follow our simple timeline for the easiest Christmas feast ever…
◆ Make the salmon parcels for the starter.
◆ Make the cranberry sauce and
◆ If you’re using a frozen turkey, remove from
bread sauce. Refrigerate.
the freezer to allow time to defrost. Allow
◆ Peel and cut up the parsnips.
3-4 hours per kg in a cool room.
◆ Prepare and cook the braised
◆ Make stock from the giblets to use for
red cabbage.
the gravy, prepare the pigs in blankets
◆ Make the herb butter for the turkey.
make the stuffing. Refrigerate all.
◆ Make the chocolate and chestnut roulade.
◆ Wash and trim the sprouts; chop the
pancetta. Store separately in the fridge. ◆ Peel and cut up the potatoes and parsnips,
PHOTOGRAPHS: PHILIP WEBB. STYLING: REBECCA NEWPORT. FOOD STYLING: EMILY JONZEN
cover with water and store in a cool place.
62 | ASDA.COM/MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2013
◆ Set the table. ◆ Chill the wine and soft drinks. If you’re short
of space, a shed, garage or a balcony should be cool enough at this time of year.
CHRISTMAS FEAST
Cooking on the day Timings based on a 6kg turkey; sitting down to eat at 2.15pm 9.30am Preheat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5. Prepare the turkey by spreading with herb butter (see page 66).
9.50am Put the turkey in the oven, basting every 30 minutes throughout the cooking time.
12.30pm Put the stufďŹ ng balls and pigs in blankets in the oven.
1.00pm Remove the stufďŹ ng balls and pigs in blankets.
Wrap in foil and keep warm. Remove the foil from the turkey and return to oven. Increase the oven temperature to 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7.
1.20pm Remove the turkey from the oven and put on a platter. Cover loosely with a double layer of foil and a damp tea towel, and keep in a warm place. Parboil the potatoes, drain. Heat the fat for the potatoes for 5 minutes. Add the potatoes and put in oven.
1.30pm Toss the parsnips and
carrots in oil, then put in the oven. Make the gravy using the juices from the turkey roasting tin and the giblet stock.
2.00pm Add the honey and mustard to the parsnips and carrots, and toss. Cook the Brussels sprouts with pancetta and chestnuts. Reheat the gravy, bread sauce. Plate up the salmon starter.
2.15pm Serve up the vegetables and keep warm in a very low oven. Serve the starters.
DECEMBER 2013 | ASDA.COM/MAGAZINE | 63
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
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Whisky wonders
For a grown-up gift or an addition to F your drinks cupboard, we’ve got whiskies for every budget and taste Tullamore Dew This triple-distilled blend of Irish whiskey is great on its own or, for a cool cocktail, pour 50ml Tullamore Dew into a tall glass with ice and top up with apple juice. ♦ £19 or £15 from
Jura Ju ura Origin Specially distilled in American Sp bourbon casks, the 10-year-old bo Jura Origin has a light and delicate Ju flavour a with a honey finish. ♦£ £22 (70cl)
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Glenfiddich The world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky, Glenfiddich 15 Year Old is full bodied and best enjoyed neat. ♦ £30 (70cl)
3 December (70cl)
98 | ASDA.COM/MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2013
The Balvenie Double Wood A classic after-dinner, handcrafted single malt. 12-year-old The Balvenie Double Wood has a smooth, honeyed flavour – the result of a second maturation in sherry casks. Savour a glass on its own. ♦ £29 (70cl)
Simply fabulous Cocktail recipes, Prosecco and Champagnes to put extra fizz into any party
Southern Comfort Cherry & Cola
Tanqueray Cranberry Twist
Fill a glass with ice and pour over 35ml Southern Comfort Cherry. Fill to the top with Cola and Garnish with lime. ♦ Southern Comfort
Fill a tall glass with ice. Add one part Tanqueray London Dry Gin to two parts each tonic water and cranberry juice. Stir and garnish with a wedge of lime.
Cherry, £16 (70cl)
♦ Tanqueray London
IF YOU LOOK UNDER 25 AND WANT TO BUY AGE-RESTRICTED PRODUCTS YOU WILL NEED TO PROVE YOUR AGE. CHALLENGE 25. NO I.D. NO SALE
Dry Gin, £16 (70cl)
Hendrick’s & Tonic Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Add one part Hendrick’s and top with tonic water. Ganish with a couple of cucumber slices. ♦ Hendrick’s Gin, £27 (70cl)
Smirnoff Apple Bite Gold Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Add one part Smirnoff Gold, which includes pieces of gold leaf, to two parts each apple juice and lemonade. Stir and garnish with a wedge of lime. ♦ Smirnoff Gold, £18 (70cl)
Disaronno Sour Add two parts Disaronno to one part lemon juice and two dashes of angostura bitters. Shake the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and strain. Pour into a tumbler and garnish with cherry and a lemon slice. ♦ Disaronno Limited Edition, £18 (50cl)
100 | ASDA.COM/MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2013
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£££ Moët & Ch Chand Chandon and ndon on n Champagne, £25 (75cl) Fruity and elegant with hints of pear, citrus and brioche aromas.
Extra Special Louis Bernard Premier Cru, £17.50 (75cl) Fresh, elegant and rich in flavour. Great for all special occasions. Serve well chilled with canapés or on its ts own. own.
Pierre Darcys Brut Champagne, £10 (75cl) With delicate aromas of lemon and apple, this is ideal as an aperitif or to serve with shellfish or smoked salmon. sa o
££ £
££
Fillipo Sansovino ans nsovi ns ovi v no Prosecco, £8.25 or £6 from 3 December (75cl) A deliciously soft and appley Prosecco from Italy that’s perfect for celebrations or with light fish or pasta dishes.
£ STEAL
££ £££ SPLASH
SPREE
DECEMBER 2013 | ASDA.COM/MAGAZINE | 101
orÉ Best f
as A Christm
party
Whether you’re planning a big celeb celebration or have family and friends coming for a get-togethe get-together, we’ve got fantastic ranges of festive party food that’s ea easy to prepare ♦ Asda Chosen by you Triple Garlic Baguette, £1* (510g; 19.6p/100g)
♦ Asda Chosen by you Margherita Party Pizza, £3* (895g; 33.5p/100g)
♦ Extra Special 12 Mini Steak & Ale Pies, £4* for x-pack (360g; £1.11/100g)
♦ Extra Special Coleslaw & Potato Salad, £3** (700g; 42.9p/100g)
♦ Asda Chosen by you Classic Dip Selection, £1* (400g; 25p/100g)
102 | ASDA.COM/MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2013
PARTY TIME
Asda has everything you need for a great festive party. ThereÕs lots to choose from, including great-value favourites like Asda Chosen by you Margherita Party Pizza, Garlic Baguette and traditional Pork, Turkey & Wiltshire Ham Pie and a choice of popular dips. And make sure you try our Extra Special range
which includes things such as Prawn Toasts, Mini Steak & Ale Pies and twin-pot Coleslaw & Potato Salad. All amazing quality and they look good so your guests will be impressed. Stock up on breadsticks or cruditŽs for guests to nibble too Ð theyÕre perfect partners for our Extra Special Luxury Dip Selection.
♦ Extra Special 10 Prawn Toast, £3* (185g; £1.62/100g)
♦ Extra Special Luxury Dip Selection, £3** (480g; 62.5p/100g) DECEMBER 2013 | ASDA.COM/MAGAZINE | 103
*AVAILABLE FROM 12 DECEMBER; **AVAILABLE FROM 19 DECEMBER
♦ Asda Chosen by you Pork, Turkey & Wiltshire Ham Pie, £2* (295g; 67.8p/100g)