New Year's Eve 2024 & New Year's Day 2025

 

New Year's Eve: It was a quiet one and that is just how we like it. The temperatures were cold however we still managed to go for a walk and take in the fresh air. Later on I made a chicken potsticker soup with spinach and edamame and paired with festive nibbles saw us through to ring in the new year. We watched movies, chatted, laughed with much merriment and relaxation as we sipped champagne. The perfect way to say goodbye to 2024.  

New Year's Day: Quiet and reserved with a bit of bite to the chilly temperatures outside. I made French toast for brunch using cranberry walnut bread to start us off and keep us going until dinner time. A lovely long walk to get the body moving and to refresh and clear the soul. Dinner was roasted ham, cabbage rolls, green beans with pickles and dill cheese and all washed down with a glass of crisp white wine to toast the new day and year. 

New Year's Eve 2019 & New Year's Day 2020

New Year's Eve we did some nibbling and noshing on a ploughman's inspired dinner that was made up of festive leftovers. We enjoyed more Fortnum and Mason's Sparkling Tea beverage to sip on and ring in the new year.      

New Year's Day for dinner we kept it very simple with oven roasted ham and vegetables. The vegetables were parsnips, carrots, potatoes, and yams lightly seasoned. 

... and for dessert we devoured a slice of clementine cake with added mixed citrus peel for an energizing, cleansing pudding.


Hope everyone had a fabulous and celebratory New Year's Eve and that the first day of the year was a relaxing one. Wishing everyone the best in 2020! - JD 

New Year's Eve 2018 & New Year's Day 2019

New Year's Eve: Since we had a selection of leftovers; we pulled it all together to make a Ploughman's. A great selection of cheese, meats, nuts, veggies, pickled onions and walnuts, dried fruit and baguettes. Everything was rounded off with a slice of Fortnum and Mason's Single Malt Whisky Dundee Cake for dessert. 

On New Year's Day, breakfast was a filling egg nog waffle with maple syrup and tea. A nice walk soon followed after.  

Our New Years Day dinner was oven roasted glazed ham, buttery mashed potatoes and steamed French green beans. 

... and for dessert my husband made a delicious white chocolate mousse. 

Tuxedo #2

This is a very crisp, neat cocktail that will definitely set your shirt straight.

Tuxedo #2 

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makes 2 cocktails

3 oz dry Gin

3 oz dry Vermouth

4 dashes Orange Bitters

2 dash of Pernod

2 dash Maraschino

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glasses. Add a cherry and a lemon peel, if you wish.  

Have a great weekend and Happy New Year, everyone! - JD 

New Year's Eve Eats 2012

I spent most of New Years Eve in the kitchen baking, cooking and preparing. It may not be how everyone spends New Years Eve Day however I quite enjoyed it. I kept everything simple and delicious, of course. 

I made savoury quiche with organic sharp old cheddar cheese, cherry tomatoes and my new found favourite spice, summer savoury.

I also served goats cheese with radishes on gluten free crackers. The crackers I bought from a local tea shop, Cally's Teas and are made on site by their cook/baker extraordinaire. 

I also purchased... even though I know how to make scotch eggs... from a local British Food Shop here in E-town. I was having a scotch egg craving and these tend to go fast. They were very delicious! I still would have preferred to make them however they did just nicely. Adding another savoury element to the meal.  

And for the dessert, remember the cookbook Plum Pudding Pie I spoke about and shared the Chocolate Rum Mousse recipe from... well here it is. Even though there is a certain amount of fusing it was easy to make. I served it in a martini glass with whip cream and a chunk of Lindt Orange Intense Dark chocolate on top. Candied orange peel would have worked as well. The orange flavour from the chocolate complimented this fabulous dessert exceptionally! The meal was filling however light. The champagne was sparkling and the dessert was heavenly. A great way to ring in the new year. 

Happy New Year everyone! - JW  

  

Plum Pudding Pie

This cookbook reminds me of a present. With it's shiny gold dust jacket to it's top, side and bottom edge gold gilt and even the Christmas pud evoke all the brightest and warm things of the season. It's hard not to stare in wonder of Plum Pudding Pie: a Cook's Book of Christmas and be marveled at what delicious recipes that are inside. This cookbook has over 200 classic Christmas recipes. Everything to make your holiday breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or dessert traditional for years to come.

The five chapters are simply broken down into Starters, Mains, Sides, Sauces and Stuffings, Drinks and Desserts. Each chapter offers many delights that will tantalize all the  sweet and savoury flavours of Christmas.

One recipe I have my eye on is the Chocolate Rum Mousse. I won't be making it for Christmas however I will be making this dessert for New Years Eve. Christmas will be enjoyed with my mincemeat tarts, rum balls... with real rum!, shortbread and of coarse Fortnum's King George Cake. The recipe seems very straight forward and I will share it with you now. - JW 


Chocolate Rum Mousse   
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250 g (9 oz or 1 and 2/3 cups) chopped dark chocolate
3 eggs
60 g (2 1/4 oz or 1/4 cup caster (superfine) sugar
2 teaspoons dark rum
250 ml (9 fl oz or 1 cup) cream (whipping), softly whipped

1. Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Half fill a saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Remove from heat and place the bowl over the pan, making sure it is not touching the water. Stir occasionally until the chocolate has melted. Set aside to cool.

2. Beat the eggs and sugar in a small bowl for 5 minutes, or until thick, pale and increased in volume.

3. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Using a metal spoon, fold in the melted chocolate with the rum, leave the mixture to cool, then fold in the whipped cream until just combined.

4. Spoon into four 250 ml (9 fl oz or 1 cup) ramekins or dessert glasses.
Refrigerate for 2 hours, or until set.