Please Santa…

Published on December 21, 2012 | Posted by Clare Garcia

Posted in: Reviews, Uncategorized

For those of you struck by the realisation that your pathological fear of Oxford street 4 days before Christmas, will do little to fill the gaping hole in your party season sleigh, turn to food. Because even those who have everything need to eat. Given my unfailing dedication to shopping and troffing, not to mention my ‘discerning taste’, I’m sharing my top 3 failsafes. For, if Little Miss Fussy is happy, then surely we’re onto a winner…

Seggiano. God of taste: flavour and design. Everything from panettone to olive oil; chocolate clementines to honey, packaged so beautifully, wrapping paper wrestling is a thing of the past. Note: Seggiano’s acacia honey is a Storehouse seducer my cupboard is rarely without.

Available from Wholefoods or independent delis. Olive oil: £11.50. Honey: £8.50. Foraged tree: Free from Clapham Common.

Homemade. With bows on. Wrap brownies, truffles or cookies in greaseproof paper and Christmas ribbon for a Yuletide gift Kirsty Allsopp would be proud of. Add festive spice to chocolate recipes with some chilli or cardamom. Or stuff dates with almonds and dip in chocolate. Aunt Dorris will be overjoyed.

Noel ribbon £8 from Cox & Cox

And last but in no ways least, the masterpiece that is The Flavour Thesaurus, our post from October last year. A staple and I’m sure, a classic no cook or food lover would sniff at. I’ve also added Our Favourite Places Godfather, Yotam Ottolenghi’s latest kitchen handbook that’s equally dedicated to coffee table style.

£10+ from Amazon

For those looking for a more extravagant gift, rumour has it Selfridges (and potentially the net…) is doing a Whisky Advent Calendar for a mere 150 quid. Drink your way through the doors to find a sample 50 year old Malt – full size bottle retailing at £350. Because what better Santa induction is there than getting smashed at breakfast…

Ho ho ho…. Merry Christmas everyone!

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Seasonal Seducer: Cranberry

Published on December 14, 2012 | Posted by Clare Garcia

Posted in: Uncategorized

Most attractive features

Apart from its tart, tanginess? This little powerhouse is packed with anti-oxidant Vit C, so a key immune booster to help stave off winter colds and flu. And lucky for us, it’s not hard to come by: Drink it; make it into a jelly to serve with meat and game; or pop the sweeter, dried version into your cereal.

Why we fell in love

Thanks to its anti-bacterial properties, this berry’s most famous for its warrior skills against a certain urinary infection. It’s said that the condensed tannins help prevent bacteria sticking to the urinary tract. There’s now even preliminary evidence to suggest our festive berry may help protect us from stomach ulcers in the same way.

So you see, a cranberry’s not just for Christmas.

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Cranberry sauce with port & orange

Published on December 14, 2012 | Posted by Clare Garcia

Posted in: DF, LF, S, SF, Uncategorized, V, WF

‘Tis the season to be jolly… In honour of the impending festivities, I’ve brought you a seasonaly seductive, spiced sauce to dollop on your bird.

Makes: 300g (10 dessert spoons)

Ingredients

300g cranberries
½ orange, juice and zest
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise
2 tbsp maple syrup
½ tbsp agave / 1 tbsp brown sugar, or to taste
3 tbsp port

Method

Put all ingredients, bar the booze, into a heavy based pan and cook, uncovered on a low to medium heat, stirring occasionally.
After 15 – 20 mins, or when the cranberries begin to burst, add the port and simmer for a further 5 mins.
Taste – you may want to add more sugar to compensate for the tart cranberries. Or more alcohol…
You should have a mix of crushed and whole cranberries. Don’t worry if there seems to be a lot of juice, this will thicken as it cools.
Transfer to a jar and store in the fridge for up to a week.

Tra la la la la… la la la laaaah….

If you don’t have a zester for the orange, you can also peel thin slices with a sharp knife (taking care to avoid the bitter pith) and finely chop into slivers, or use a grater.

PP: Kcals 19 Pr 2g Carbs 4.1g Ows 3.9g Fat 0.1g Sat Fat 0g Salt trace

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Stags, sterling board & street food

Published on December 6, 2012 | Posted by Clare Garcia

Posted in: Reviews, Uncategorized

I’m ashamed to admit, blogging has taken a back-step of late. But I can explain: For the last 5 weeks, social lives and sleep have been shelved; yoga memberships even put on hold, all in the name of creating our very own street food pop-up. Let it not be said that we don’t love what we do.

My latest crusade involves teaming up with a host of my favourite street concepts and Gather & Gather to feed a certain telly broadcaster. I think I may have found my vocation.

I’ll report back on week one very soon. In the meantime, join me on the journey with Twitter and #skypopup.

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