Foodie Explorers Christmas Guide FOODIE EXPLORERSÂ
Christmas 2018 The items in this gift guide have been picked by Foodie Explorers, that is Emma & Mark (the humans) and Fred & Cleo (the cats). Have a peaceful and happy festive season x
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For the home 18
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FOODIE EXPLO
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1. Kit Kat Klock 2. Retro Coasters 3. Hubert Planter 4. Stormtrooper Decanter 5. Wall Light
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For him
FOODIE EXPLORERS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2018
1. Harris Tweed Wallet 2. Baker Boy Hat 3. Kiehls Set 4. Lego Sweatshirt 5. Tartan Pyjamas
For Her 18
1. Lego Architecture 2. Shimmer Socks 3. Shearer Candles 4. Knot Mules 5. Molton Brown
For cats and doggos 1. Dreamies Christmas Treats 2. Steamed Salmon 3. Lick-e-lix
1. Festive Bauble 2. Bauble Buddies 3. Choc Orange Minis 4. Teatime Biscuits
Advent Calendars
Molton Brown Reese's Advent Calendar
Haribo Advent Calendar Lidl Deluxe Chocolate
Mulled Wine F
ew things say Christmas more clearly than a glass of mulled wine and a warm mince pie
There are thousands of variations, so it’s a great excuse to experiment with plenty of spices, fruit and flavourings to find the perfect recipe. There is no need to use expensive wine, but spending a little more than the lowest price will provide a better flavour. My favourite is Rioja which is known for being 'spicy' and works well with orange. Alternatively, pick a rich fruity wine if you can. If you have a cupboard of spices, go ahead and make your own spice mix. If not, there are many ready-made alternatives on the market. Just avoid the ones bulked out with sugar as they are usually overly sweet. The orange juice - it takes a little longer, but freshly squeezed orange juice has more flavour and is less sugary than juice from cartons. Taste as you add the orange juice to get the balance you like.
Finally, a little bit of spirit. This is not essential, but adds a final flourish. Fruit liqueurs such as Cointreau or Peach Schnapps will add a fruity punch, while gin will add body and the fragrance of juniper. And a wee bit of port is always welcome. Most mulled wine recipes call for simmering the wines and spices together for about 20 minutes. The problem with that is all the alcohol evaporates! Mr Foodie has assured me that there must be a law somewhere forbidding such wanton waste. So instead this recipe creates a spice syrup which is then used to flavour the wine.
Ingredients For the syrup 200ml water Zest of one orange. 2 tablespoons of brown muscovado sugar or honey. 1-2 star anise. 6 cloves. 1 cinnamon stick. 1 crushed green cardamom pod. 1 blade of mace or half a teaspoon of ground nutmeg. For the Mulled Wine 1 bottle of red wine (750ml) 500 ml of freshly squeezed orange juice. 50ml of spirit (2 shots) Fruit to garnish – slices of orange, apple, berries and plumped raisins are all good choices. Strips of orange skin look pretty and a sprig to thyme adds an additional layer of flavour.
Method First, make the syrup Roughly crush the spices, no need to grind them. Put the water, spices, orange zest and sugar into a pan. Put a lid on the pan and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Then Mull the Wine Put the syrup, wine, orange juice and any spirit you are using in a large enough pot. Warm gently – do not boil! Pour, garnish and enjoy.
Festive Foods Brussels Sprouts tea bags Pigs in blankets tea bags
Walkers festive flavoured crisps - Brussels Sprouts and pigs in blankets
Pringles Xmas Dinner Prosecco & pink peppercorns and Pig in blankets
Lidl Deluxe Luxury Stollen Bites with Jamaican rum
HEMA Orange and Carrot Waffle HEMA Apple and Cinnamon Waffle
HEMA Lemon Curd Petit Fours
Iberica Ham and Fig Crisps Waitrose Tortilla Christmas Trees Waitrose
Chilli and Lime Peanuts Lidl Deluxe Nut Selection - Hickory smoked and caramelised honey Morrisons Brie and Cranberry Crisps
Morrisons Pigs in Blankets Crisps
Lidl Deluxe Gourmet Popcorn: Apple & Cinnamon Prosecco & Winter Berry Gingerbread
Alcohol Free Drinks
Lo Bros Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic
Middle Way Keffir Drinks
Teetotal G&T
Monte Rossi Nonalcoholic aperitif
Luscombe Damascene Rose Bubbly
Bon Accord Rhubarb Soda Ginger Beer
Thomas & Evans Sparkling Botanical Drink
Franklin & Sons Ltd Strawberry and Raspberry
The London Essence Crafted Soda
 Drinks with Alcohol
Wester Spirit Co Premium Spiced Rum
Flor de Cana Grand Reserva 7 year old Rum Flor de Cana 4 year old Extra Seco Rum Personalised whisky from AD Rattray
Stocking Fillers
Mary Pen All about that baste lip balm Krispy Kreme Bath Jesus Pen Gingerbread lip balm Primark
Hair Baubles Bush Baubles Paperchase
Stocking Fillers
Merry Percymas Santa's Treats (M&S Instore) Festive Cocktail Jelly Bubbles Milk Chocolate Salted Caramel Tree Milk Chocolate Bubbly Santa M&S Instore
Foodie Gifts
Celebrate with a ready-made hamper or make your own at Scottish Hampers.
A Fisht-ful of Fish gift box from Luss Smokehouse
Christmas Tree Baubles
1. Ice Cream -Poundland 2. Burger - Primark 3. Sushi - Paperchase 4.Soy Sauce - Selfridges/Paperchase
5. Sugar doughnut Primark 6. Asparagus Paperchase 7. Sprout bauble - John Lewis
Eggnog Recipe Eggnog had been a traditional part of Christmas celebrations but fell out of favour, due to the rising costs of sugar and eggs, so splashing out on eggnog was seen as a big thing! As the British colonies expanded, the ingredients became cheaper and the drink subsequently became more popular. Nowadays people can be put off by the thought of raw egg but there’s nothing to be scared of and raw egg is actually used in lots of great cocktails! A variation of eggnog can be found worldwide. In the American South, eggnog is made with bourbon. In Puerto Rico, rum and coconut milk are used and it is known a “conquito”. Peruvian eggnog is made with brandy called Pisco and in Germany, you can get ‘biersuppe’ which is made with beer. ‘Eierpunsch’ is another German version made with white wine, eggs, sugar, cloves, tea, lemon or lime juice and cinnamon. Here's our festive eggnog recipe...
700ml whole milk 240ml double cream 3 cinnamon sticks 1 vanilla bean pod, split and seeds removed 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg. 5 eggs, separated 130g granulated sugar 175ml Dark Rum, or bourbon Place into a saucepan milk, cream, cinnamon, vanilla bean, vanilla seeds, and nutmeg. Bring to the boil over a medium heat. Once boiling, remove from the heat. Allow the ingredients to steep whilst cooling. In a large bowl, beat egg yolks and sugar until combined. Slowly whisk in the milk and mix until smooth. Add bourbon or rum. Stir. Refrigerate overnight or for up to 3 days. Before serving beat the egg whites in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Fold into eggnog until combined. Serve and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.