Get togethers of any size are made all the better with Emma's ingredients for a great party. Anyone for Christmas Port punch, homemade parmesan biscuits enjoyed by candlelight (so moorish) and the sweet, nostalgic smell of Clementines...
A Wreath On The Door
Dress up your home with winter flowers; holly, ivy, cornus mas, mistletoe and drifts of snowdrops.
Jayne who tends to our Factory garden suggests collecting bracken and conifer of all different colours to lift any spruce and greenery, and to drape ivy to give a 'wild' and natural look to Christmas decorations. Jane also likes to pop a few feathers and pine cones into a Christmas tree to help balance off the baubles.
This year we are enjoying foraging and crafting handmade decorations, starting with an inviting wreath for the front door.
Wicked Cocktails & Champagne On Ice!
Gather around for fun and games, pour a drink and let the good times roll! We find these festive cocktails are always a hit...
Poinsettia Cocktail
Ingredients - Serves 4
60ml orange liqueur, cranberry juice, bottle of champagne, rosemary sprigs, cranberries
Recipe
Chill ingredients before mixing. Pour the orange liqueur and cranberry juice into chilled champagne flutes. Stir well. Top with champagne. Garnish with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.
Christmas Port Punch
Ingredients - Serves 4
400ml port wine, 125ml rum, 165ml apple juice, 250ml lemonade, orange slices, cinnamon sticks
Recipe
Combine all ingredients in a large jug and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. Serve over ice.
Nearest & Dearest
Gather your family and create a warm and cosy environment at home for everyone to enjoy this festive season. Whether you’re entertaining on a large or small scale this year, it’s always nice to dress up the table for an evening of feasting.
After an evening around the table, get everyone to pile onto the sofa with our cushions to keep you comfortable and our throws to keep you warm.
Parmesan Biscuits
These morish, crumbly cheese biscuits are good enough to eat on their own or accompanied by a seasonal chutney or perhaps an easy fig jam (we like Ottolenghi’s Mulled Wine version)!
Ingredients
100g butter, chopped
100g parmesan cheese, grated
1 tbsp rosemary leaves, roughly chopped
3/4 cup plain flour
Recipe
Mix the butter, parmesan, rosemary, salt, pepper and flour in a food processor/ blender to create a dough.
Lightly flour your kitchen surface and empty your dough onto it. Knead the dough and press into a large 15cm circle.
Wrap in greaseproof paper and refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.
Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Lay one sheet of baking paper down and place your dough on top of it. Cover with another layer of baking paper and roll your dough until it is about until 0.5cm thick. Use a biscuit cutter to cut out small discs from the dough.
Bake the biscuits for 6 to 8 minutes or until light golden. Leave on a wire rack to cool before serving.
Smoked Salmon Canapes
Step 1. Either make your own blinis (or follow the heating instructions on the packet!)
Step 2. Spread the blinis with the cream cheese and lay the salmon trimmings on top. Garnish with dill, thin cucumber curls or twist of lemon. Season with black pepper and serve immediately.
Clementines
In season from November to January, clementines have for years been used as a sweet seasonal addition for stockings. Traditionally a symbol of Saint Nicholas’s generosity, waking up on Christmas morning and finding a fresh orange in your stocking used to be considered a luxury.
For a nice Christmassy scent, make orange pomanders by studding your oranges with cloves and finishing with velvet ribbons.
Light A Fire in Every Room
Get the log fire burning or light up your Large Storm Lanterns or Small Votives to create a warm, festive atmosphere. Fill your home with the familiar scents of citrus and spice and get cosy by candlelight!
