MAKE-AHEAD SAUCES

Make-ahead sauces This trio of traditional sauces is the perfect finishing touch to your Christmas meal. Make them a couple of days in advance to keep things simpler on the day

Mulled cranberry & apple sauce

Wild mushroom & madeira gravy

C reamy brioche bread sauce

Wild mushroom & madeira gravy

SERVES 6-8 PREP 10 mins COOK 1 hr EASY V ❄

2 tbsp olive oil 6 whole shallots, peeled 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped 3 thyme sprigs 2 bay leaves 30g dried wild mushrooms ½ tbsp light brown soft sugar 2 tbsp plain flour 4 tbsp brown miso 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 tbsp tomato purée 100ml madeira 700ml fresh vegetable stock

1 Heat the oil in a frying pan. Add the shallots, carrot, thyme, bay leaves and dried mushrooms and fry over a medium heat for 5-7 mins or until deep golden brown. Scatter over the sugar and cook until beginning to caramelise. Stir in the flour and combine well, then add the miso, balsamic vinegar, tomato purée and madeira and cook for 2 mins. Pour over the stock a little at a time, stirring as you go. 2 Simmer everything together, uncovered, for 30 mins or until you have a fairly thick gravy. Sieve into a clean saucepan. Season to taste and warm through when ready to serve. Leave to cool completely, then freeze for up to three months or chill for up to three days. Reheat thoroughly in a pan to serve.

GOOD TO KNOW low fat PER SERVING 88 kcals • fat 4g • saturates 1g • carbs 9g • sugars 5g • fibre 1g • protein 2g • salt 1.2g

tip

Take two jugs of gravy to the table – keep one veggie and whisk the carving juices from whatever meat you’ve roasted into the other. Creamy brioche bread sauce

SERVES 8 PREP 10 mins plus infusing COOK 10 mins EASY V

220g brioche, torn into pieces 1 onion, peeled and halved 10 cloves 600ml whole milk 2 bay leaves ½ tsp black peppercorns 2 thyme sprigs 2 large garlic cloves, lightly bashed 30g butter 3 tbsp extra-thick double cream grating of nutmeg

1 Put the brioche into a food processor and blitz to fine breadcrumbs. Set aside. 2 Stud the onion with the cloves and put in a saucepan with the milk, bay, peppercorns, thyme and garlic. Bring to the boil, then quickly remove from the heat and set aside for 30 mins-1 hr to infuse. Strain and return the liquid to the pan. 3 Add the breadcrumbs and butter to the milk and simmer for 5 mins, stirring continuously until thickened and creamy. Stir through the cream and finely grate in a generous amount of nutmeg, then season. Make up to three days in advance and keep chilled in a covered bowl. Reheat on the hob or for 3 mins, or covered, in the microwave.

PER SERVING 243 kcals • fat 18g • saturates 11g • carbs 15g • sugars 6g • fibre 1g • protein 6g • salt 0.5g Mulled cranberry & apple sauce

SERVES 8 PREP 5 mins plus infusing COOK 20 mins EASY V ❄

200ml non-alcoholic red wine 1 cinnamon stick ½ orange, rind peeled, then juiced 5 cloves 1 tsp ground ginger 2 star anise 1 small cooking apple, peeled, cored and cut into 1cm pieces 200g fresh or frozen cranberries 150g light brown soft sugar

1 Bring the non-alcoholic red wine to a gentle simmer with the cinnamon, orange juice and rind, cloves, ginger and star anise. Once steaming, remove from the heat and leave to infuse for 30 mins. 2 Strain into another pan, discarding the aromatics, and add the apple, cranberries and sugar. Bring to a simmer. Bubble for 10-15 mins until the berries start to burst, and the apple is soft. The sauce will thicken as it cools – you can add a splash more orange juice or water to loosen, if you like. Make ahead and freeze, or keep in the fridge for up to four days. Bring to room temperature to serve.

GOOD TO KNOW low fat • gluten free PER SERVING 104 kcals • fat 0g • saturates none • carbs 20g • sugars 20g • fibre 1g • protein 0.3g • salt 0.02g

CELEBRATE THE FESTIVE SEASON at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai

‘Tis the season to be jolly! The world’s tallest 5-star hotel, also known as Dubai’s Destination of Exceptional Taste, has plenty of distinctive festive offerings specially crafted in celebration of the year-end festivities

FESTIVE SPECIALS

Turkey Takeaway

Savour a traditional turkey prepared by a team of award-winning chefs, served with trimmings including chestnut apple stuffing, bacon-wrapped chipolata sausages, mashed potatoes and roasted maple-glazed vegetables.

Serves between 8-10 guests. From AED 795 at La Farine Café & Bakery. Advance payment or a credit card guarantee through Restaurant Reservations is required. Orders must be made a minimum of 48 hours in advance. Dessert and delivery are not included in the price.

Festive Afternoon Tea at La Farine Café & Bakery

Relax amongst the cosy surroundings of La Farine Café & Bakery with this special edition of Afternoon Tea, featuring a medley of sweet and savoury treats. Tuck into Christmas cookies, stollen and gingerbread served with your choice of Tchaba tea.

December 4-31, from 1-6pm. AED 250 per couple.

FESTIVE DINING

Festa Italiana – Festive Evening Brunch at Positano

Celebrate Christmas Eve the Italian way with an evening brunch inspired by coastal Italian cuisine. Sample an extravagant array of Italian specialities, ranging from antipasti and handmade pasta cooked à la minute, to a dessert room filled to the brim with Italian classics such as panna cotta, gelato cassata and decadent sweet bites.

December 24 from 6-11pm. AED 195 per person, including soft beverages.

Winter Wanderlust Brunch

Dubai’s favourite party brunch served with a seasonal twist. Embrace your inner wanderlust and embark on a celebratory adventure. Known to be a one-stop culinary journey around the world, this lively Friday brunch offers more than seven live cooking stations, and a variety of beverage stations, serving Wanderlust favourites and traditional festive treats. Experience #SomethingCiao at the little Italy corner or feast your way through delish barbeque while grabbing one of Nathan’s festive hot dogs from New York. Music curator and Resident DJ Adam J will be on the decks with amazing live beats.

Festive International Buffet at Kitchen6

Indulge in an extensive festive spread with six interactive live cooking stations. Known for its casual and family-friendly ambience, this award-winning restaurant is open for lunch and dinner offering guests a perfect place to celebrate the holidays.

December 24 and 25 from 7-11pm. AED 225 per person, including soft beverages. Christmas Lunch Buffet on December 25 from 12.30-3.30pm. AED 275 per person, including soft beverages. Children above 6 years enjoy 50% off and children below 6 eat for free.

Festive Backyard Brunch at Café Artois

Head down to Bridgewater Tavern for a laid-back Friday afternoon in the sun with comfort food, refreshing beverages and fantastic live entertainment. Diners can feast their way through short ribs and chorizo sausages. Loaded pavlovas will be served in various delicious flavours, leaving those with a sweet tooth in awe. This new brunch offering spreads across Bridgewater Tavern all the way to Café Artois, allowing guests to take in the splendid Dubai Canal views.

AED 425 per person, including house beverages. AED 112.50 for children between 6 to 12 years. Children below the age of 6 eat for free.

New Year’s celebrations at the Destination of Exceptional Taste

Join us at the Vault and enjoy a buzzing atmosphere and crafted concoctions inspired by old-time classics and infused with the latest trends and blends. The Vault’s elegant setting and stunning city views, will make this a night to remember.

December 31 from 7-11pm. AED 500 per person, including canapés and house beverages. Free entrance after midnight. Table reservations are subject to minimum spend.

Alternatively book one of our dining experiences:

• Elegant Prime68 steakhouse with views over the Dubai firework • Authentic Italian cuisine at Positano • Award-winning international cuisine at Kitchen6.