Christmas 2019

Christmas Eve, after we had our usual nibbles an drinkies at our local pub and a walk to enjoy the festive lights; we settle for some homemade tomato soup, a dinner roll and a glass of Fortnum and Mason's Sparkling Tea beverage, to close the night.  

Christmas Morning, for brunch we had a round of homemade cranberry almond scones with Devonshire cream and fresh fruit to keep us going until an early Christmas dinner. 

Christmas Dinner, was Cornish hens, Brussels sprouts with blood orange vinegar and mashed potatoes, homemade stuffing with lashings of gravy.

... and we rounded out our dinner with a slice of Fortnum and Mason's Figgy pudding. Although lashing of custard may have been in order, a slice unadulterated was perfect! 

Boxing Day, was a quiet one spent with friends. We offered some of the usual... cheese and biscuits, olives, dried fruit and of course, my baking. However, I did make a savoury galette, cranberry cocktail sausages and coronation chicken cups. 

What Christmas of ours, would not be complete, without our Fortnum and Mason's order. A nice sampling to enjoy now and throughout the year. Loads of decadent things... honey, sauces, hot mustard, tea, jams, marmalades, puddings, glacé fruit, coffee, biscuits, chocolate, anniversary Heinz ketchup, and sparkling tea beverages.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday time. Whether sharing, enjoying or relaxing, we had a lovely one! - JD     

Christmas 2018

Christmas Eve we did a late night simple savoury snack of a bacon sandwich and apple slices because we had visited the local pub, earlier, and had a few drinks and nibbles there while meeting and greeting friends.

Christmas Day started with fresh fruit, eggnog muffins, coffee and a round of Bucks Fizz that kept us going until mid afternoon. 

Christmas Day dinner was more traditional then ever this year. Our late afternoon dinner was turkey, roasted vegetables (potato, carrots, brussel sprouts, and parsnips), stuffing, pickled cabbage, pickled onions, pickled walnuts and a lovely garlic chutney. 

Boxing Day we did our usual get together of close friends and shared an array of cheeses, meats, olives, dried fruit, my baking, of course, a vegan frittata and a minced beef Wellington, unfortunately not shown, as there was no room on the table. So that remained in the kitchen where guests could served themselves or we could serve them. We also had a wonderful mulled wine to enjoy and warm up to. As usual everyone left with a nice selection of my baking. It was a great afternoon... evening for all. 

... and of course no Christmas, of ours, may be complete without another tradition; that sees us throughout the year...  our Fortnum and Mason order. Last year, I forgot to post about our annual order... I may still have the photo somewhere. That being said, this year, I remembered and thought it would be appropriate to share within the Christmas/Holiday post. We ordered plenty of chutney's, sauces, preserves, biscuits, savouries, tea, coffee, Turkish Delight and a Single Malt Whisky Dundee cake to share and enjoy.     

Fortnum and Mason ~ 2015

Christmas has come early because our annual Fortnum & Mason order has arrived. This year we were being particularly good and ordered a nice selection of Christmas themed jams, marmalade, coffee, tea, chutney, and mustard. Other delightful goodies included our usual tea, biscuits, crackers, fruitcake... disappointingly not the King George cake. It seems, Fortnum's did not offer it this year. Instead offering many Christmas puddings. I hope it's absence is not a permanent one. The King George fruitcake with be highly missed by all this year however I am sure the FitzGeorge fruitcake will do. Perhaps I should try and make a fruitcake myself. 

It is a lovely day... sun shining and an acceptable coolness to the air. I will be doing more baking and creating over the next few days. Have a good weekend everyone! - JD 

Fortnum and Mason ~ 2014

I know Christmas is on it's way when the Fortnum and Mason order arrives. Nothing beats carefully opening and rummaging through the packing peanuts and guessing through the bubble wrap at the glorious culinary treasures inside. As usual we get a selection of our favourites like Smoky Earl Grey tea, Horseradish, Charcoal biscuits, a range of English mustards and King George cake. There are more festive delights like Christmas tea, Christmas coffee, Christmas Glitter Shortbread, Frost Fayre Christmas Spiced biscuits, Christmas Spiced Marmalade, and Boxing Day Chutney. Other items... which usually change from year to year, as we try new and different things, are: French Lavender Honey, a selection of other teas, Fig Cheese (a spread for cheese and biscuits/crackers), Devil Gamekeeper Relish, Damson & Claret (spread), Spice Tins: No.119 Dukka and No.49 Nigella Seeds, Ginger Turkish Delight and the exclusive Sweet Theatre Chocolate in Chili Dark (Katherine) and Orange Dark (Lady Macbeth). 

All products will slowly be enjoyed over the days and months however all Christmasy treats will not be opened until December 24th and that includes the King George cake. How we... I mean... I, will manage until then I do not know.  

Hope everyone had a good weekend! - JW  

Tea at Fortnum and Mason

I remember reading about this book through the Fortnum's website. Thinking what a lovely little book, with classic British afternoon tea recipes and insightful information regarding tea.

The book is only 128 pages however deals with the art of the afternoon tea, high tea, and taking tea. The photos are so inviting and the 45 recipes give more than the traditional scones, delicate sandwiches, tarts and sponge cake. Making it easy to have a bit of Fortnum's at home. There are anecdotes, stories, and the history of tea to delight and entice the even regimented tea drinker.  

This is the hamper that our dear and wonderful friend sent us for our wedding, The English Essentials Hamper. With loads of delicious teas, preserves, condiments, chocolates and biscuits, all in a reusable wicker basket. And of course, the book, Tea at Fortnum and Mason. To find out more about Fortnum and Mason and the delicious items that await you click *HERE*  Enjoy! - JW 

Rose & Violet Hot Chocolate

Last night nothing was more comforting than making a mug or two of hot chocolate. I didn't want this to be just any hot chocolate so I reached for the Fortnum and Mason's No. 38 - Rose & Violet dark chocolate bar.  

It's about 70% cocoa solids which gave it a subtle rich chocolate taste without too much sweetness and a delicate hint of rose and violet. 

On the one side it looked like an ordinary chocolate bar except for the F and M scrolled on every other square however on the backside of the bar laid sugared rose and violet petals. Fragrant and exotic all at the same time. I luved chopping this up into little bits. The chocolate and the floral fragrance floated through the air. One had to try a piece. It was a melt in your mouth treasure of aromatic proportions.     

Once the milk was in the pan, about 2 1/2 cups, the chopped chocolate bar was added. Setting the temperature to a medium heat to gently warm the milk with the chocolate. Whisking to make sure that the chocolate melted slowly. Once the milk had become chocolatey and the right temperature was reached, it was ready to pour in mugs. Smooth and creamy. Fragrant and rich with a lovely cap of foam. The hot chocolate was ready to be savoured. Stay warm and enjoy your weekend! - JW 

Fortnum and Masons

I am not trying to tease you in anyway however I have the feeling some of you might think that is exactly what I am doing. This may leave some jealous and flat out hungry! I am only sharing. When in London I had the fortunate experience to dine at Fortnum and Masons, The Gallery. It was an exquist meal to say the least. The dining room was nearly full and a bit loud at times however that subsided due to the exceptional service. I felt as though we were the only ones dining. It was a very memorable, special meal. The  Fortnum and Masons experience was one I highly recommend.   

Starters: Fig and Rosemary bread. Sweet and savoury. Just how I like it!  

The First Course: Pea and Mint Soup. Hot or cold. I chose hot. I found this portion to be a generous size. Therefore I could not finish my portion. I have never had this soup before. It was fresh. Vibrate green. Bursting with flavour.

The Main Course: Pork Belly with fennel and apricots. Tender and melt in your mouth. Not overly sweet. Nothing was underdone or overdone. All the flavours came together.

To Drink: Beaujolais-Villages. A red wine that accompanied the meal very nicely. 

The Third Course: The Dessert: Rum Baba. Very rich with loads of good quality rum. The vanilla bean ice cream that perched on top of the cake was smooth and delicious. It had a very natural homemade taste. I had to ask if they made the ice cream. Fortnums did not. Unfortunately I only ate half due to it's richness. 
    

The other option for dessert was the cheese plate. A creamy smooth blue stilton served with a selection of Fortnums crackers, chutney and grapes.  

To finish and help digest... a latté. Apart from the one I had in Winchelsea this ran a very close second. It was served with your choice of a Fortnum and Masons square chocolate. 

This is a view of the dinning room. Bright and lovely. Inviting in every way.   

And this was the view to the left. Over looking the bannister is Fortnum and Masons glorious food hall. Where I just had to make the rounds and place an order to be shipped. It arrived all in one piece and we are enjoying the delicious treats that will tie us over until Christmas. - JW