T’is the season for delicious food and this winter is all about rustling up dazzling dishes that can be shared with friends and family to celebrate Christmas.
For those seeking some inspiration on how to create flavours that sparkle, a whole host of
delicious festive food and drink ideas have been shared from the expert team at Dobbies
Garden Centres.
Not your average garden centre, Dobbies offers a huge selection of tempting treats, classic favourites and must-have ingredients to create showstopping centrepieces, perfect for party season.
Step into a delicious Christmas…
So whether you’re cooking for your family this Christmas, or looking to rustle up a romantic feast for two, these delicious ideas from Dobbies will help you eat, drink and be merry this winter, with items available from Dobbies’ foodhalls.
Festive recipe inspiration…
Virgin bramble rosemary spritz
Sweet blackberries, tangy orange zest and woody rosemary mingle together to create a
thoroughly refreshing and unforgettably delicious drink.
Makes 6
Prep 15 mins, plus cooling
Cook 15 mins
Ingredients
300g fresh (or frozen) blackberries, about 100-150g extra to serve
60g runny honey
1 medium orange, pared zest and ½ (half) juice
6 small Rosemary sprigs, plus extra to serve
about 1.5 litre soda water, to serve
Method
1. Put the blackberries, honey, orange zest and juice, Rosemary sprigs in a small saucepan set over a medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and then bubble for 10-15 minutes, stirring and crushing lightly every now and then, until the blackberries have broken completely. Press firmly through a fine sieve into a bowl, scraping the underside to get as much juice as possible (discard the pulp and aromatics). Transfer to a jug and let cool (chill up to 2 days ahead).
2. To serve, divide the blackberry syrup between glasses (about 2-3 tbsp in each). Fill with ice, top up with soda and stir. Slice remaining orange into half-moons and add to each glass alongside a rosemary sprig and a few fresh blackberries, if liked.
Mushroom cheese puff pie wreath
The ultimate, indulgent sharing snack, with deliciously rich pastry and gorgeously gooey
cheese, making it a firm Christmas party favourite for all the family.
Serves 4-6
Prep 45 mins, plus cooling and chilling
Cook 1 hour 20 mins
Ingredients
50g unsalted butter
500g chestnut or button mushrooms, wiped clean and cut into 2.5cm chunks
2 medium red onions
1 vegetable stock cube
2 tbsp plain flour, plus extra for dusting
2 tsp English mustard
330ml bottle golden ale or larger
1 tsp honey
4 fresh (8 dried) Bay leaves
small bunch Thyme sprigs (about 12)
50g crème fraiche
75g soft-rind cheese (camembert or brie), cut into 1.5cm chunks
500g block puff pastry
1 egg, beaten
Method
1. Heat the butter in a large wide frying pan set over a high heat. Add the mushrooms and onions, season and cook stirring often until all moisture has evaporated and they have start frying to a rich brown colour (about 8-10 minutes). Crush over the vegetable stock cube and sprinkle in the flour, stirring and cooking out for a few minutes. Stir in the mustard, honey and beer, scraping the base of the pan, before bringing it back to a simmer. Tie the Bay leaves and Thyme together with kitchen string and add alongside enough water to barely cover, if needed. Simmer briskly for about 20-25 minutes, until you have a thick saucy stew. Stir through the crème fraiche, season and let cool completely (chill for at least 30 minutes; can be made 3 days ahead).
2. Roll the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a sheet about 0.5cm thick. Using a large
dinner plate or bowl (about 27cm) as a guide, cut out a larger circle and then use a 9cm
cutter to cut out another circle from the centre to create a ring. Place on a parchment-lined baking tray and chill. Layer up the excess pastry and re-roll as before, cutting out another ring, chilling alongside the other. Roll the remaining scraps again and cut out Christmassy shapes (a tree, stars, holly etc), if liked.
3. Use the second pastry ring as your base, brush the surface with beaten egg. Place the
cooled mushroom filling around the ring leaving a 1-2cm border each side. Top with the
cubes of cheese and drape over the other pastry ring. Carefully stretch the pastry over,
pressing around the inner and outer edges with floured fingers or the prongs of a fork, until well-sealed. Score the pastry with criss-cross pattern, using the back of a small paring knife and brush all over with egg wash. Add the Christmas decorations, if using, and brush these with egg as well. Chill for at least 20 minutes
4. Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7. Bake for 10 minutes and then reduce the
temperature to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6. Bake for a further the pie for 25-30 minutes, until
puffed and a rich golden-brown colour. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving with a crunchy green salad.
Recipes for Cauliflower chickpea verrines, veggie stuffing butternut squash and
festive poached pears available on request.
