Sunday, December 8, 2013

CHRISTMAS IS ROUND THE CORNER SO START YOUR PLANNING NOW

Tables decorated with yew, ivy and sprigs of holly. 
More candles than you thought you would ever want. 

Everything that reflects light is there for a glittery and festive atmosphere. It is strange yet wonderful watching people laughing away with friends over good food and wine, but in a quite sort of way, until the stroke of mid-night, when a kind of metamorphosis happens. Suddenly things explode, everyone starts singing, people who have never met before, and are never likely to again, start dancing, and linking arms together. They kiss one another as if they have known each other all their lives (many relationships are started on Christmas). 

If you’re the host who’ll be looking after everyone this Christmas, then check out these recipes on how to gear up in the morning and keep your party spirits high. 

The best part about these recipes is that you can make them rather quickly …thanks to KitchenAid appliances and spend more time in the day for preparing your party!


Enjoy, and have a Merry Christmas!

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
Assuming that you start your breakfast late on Christmas day and skip lunch in favor of a blow-out feast in the evening….
Homemade Pancakes with golden syrup. Easy to make and with a drizzle of golden syrup or honey they are just delicious.

HOME MADE PANCAKES WITH GOLDEN SYRUP
Makes 16-24 pancakes (depends on size of the pan)
Plain flour: 225g; Eggs: 2 Nos; Milk: 600 ml; melted unsalted butter: 50g; Veg Oil: for frying; salt: a pinch
Method
] Sift the flour and salt into the KitchenAid stand mixer bowl.

] Whisk eggs and milk into the flour. Add melted butter and whisk into the mix.
] Preheat a non-stick pan (8 inches). Lightly oil the pan and pour in some of the mixture making sure the batter is evenly and thinly spread out.
] Cook for half a minute and until golden brown. Toss the pancake and cook again for less than half a minute.
] Serve with golden syrup/honey/jam, it’s awesome.
TIP- The best time to turn a pan cake is when the bubbles burst and leave a hole.
You can even add poppy seeds in the batter for a different taste


COLD EGG NOGG
This is a traditional Christmas morning drink. However it should be avoided if you are pregnant or elderly due to the raw egg.
Makes 1
Egg: 1 no fresh; gomme syrup: dash; Brandy: 1 fl oz; Dark Rum: 1 fl oz; Cold Milk: 51/2 fl oz; nutmeg: a pinch
Method
] Add all ingredients except the milk in the KitchenAid cordless hand blender

 and blend well. Strain into a glassware of your choice
] Now add milk and stir, then sprinkle with fresh nutmeg.
 

Once you are well fed, you can start planning your Christmas feast for the evening; will take more about the planning in my next blog.