Photo by Lis Parsons
So here we are again! On the one hand, it feels as if it were only minutes ago that I was getting the site and my home into festive gear for last year; on the other, I have never felt more in need of the seasonal sparkle and kitchen comforts of Christmas. I’m more than ready to slip into twinkle mode: tea lights, fairy lights, the cosy light of candles a-flicker, you name it: I’m all for more. I’ve even ordered a light-up baby deer for my garden this year!
But of course, my festive focus lingers most lovingly on the food. Tradition plays the main part in all this: I gain such joy from the edible rituals of Christmas; it’s the year-upon-year appearance of cherished family favourites that make us all feel full of seasonal spirit. Recipe of the Day is drawn from my Christmas canon throughout December, but even so that leaves out far too many treasured dishes, so allow me to point you in their direction. You can search by theme/topic, such as Christmas cocktails and drinks, Christmas canapés and other good things to pick at, Christmas main courses, seasonal side dishes, Christmas desserts and sweet treats or you can get the whole seasonal shebang in one go by clicking on All Things Christmassy!
Festive inspiration
But as much as I love all the old favourites, there is always room for new treasures on my table, and I’m thrilled to tell you about two new recipes I’m bringing you today. The first made its debut in my home last Christmas, and it made me impatient to share with you for this one. It’s my Christmas Loaf Cake, which in some senses is self-explanatory – it’s a fruit cake made in a loaf tin! – but what makes it special beyond its shape is its taste and texture: gorgeously sticky but still easily sliceable, richly aromatic, and boisterous with brandy and crystalised ginger. I’m not saying you couldn’t make it with rum or whisky but, on the basis of my testing and retesting, I came to the conclusion that it was only brandy that gave it the flavour I wanted; ginger needs a partner sprightly enough to stand up to it!
The second is not, in itself, a Christmas recipe – I’ve been making it so often in the past eight months or so, the place where it’s customarily stashed in the fridge is known in my home as the Tres Leches Shelf – but its creamy lusciousness and snowy aspect make it an ungainsayable Christmas contender. Many of you will already be acquainted with this divine dessert, but for those who are yet to have the joy, it’s a cake saturated in dairy, evaporated and condensed milks (the three milks that its title translates as) and then topped with a dreamy layer of whipped cream. My version of Tres Leches Cake doesn’t veer dramatically from the standard iteration (if there is ever such a thing) but, as I explain in the recipe’s introduction, I’ve added a couple of little touches for balance and staying power. As I’ve also implored in my introduction to the recipe, don’t be tempted to condemn this glorious creation for its less-than-lofty ingredients: one taste of this will have you swooningly convinced. I should add that it’s the perfect way of filling the trifle-shaped hole for those who can’t do alcohol. It's not a last-minute number, but when I have people over, I always prefer a dessert I can make in advance, and this one helpfully insists on it!
In addition to those two, I also have a savoury recipe that is new to the website in the form of the easy and delectable Ham Hocks with Mustard and Marmalade. I love a Christmas ham, indeed I consider it essential, but it’s impractical and an unnecessary expense for small households and gatherings. This is perfect if you’re feeding four or fewer or, indeed, if you’re not at home for Christmas but want, when you get back, to be able to make festive ham sandwiches all the same. The bones (plus any leftovers) along with some dried green split peas make for the most gorgeously cosy soup afterwards, too.
If you’re a long-standing member of the nigella.com community, you’ll probably know what I’m going to say next. Yes, it’s time for the annual Christmas Pudding Hunt Competition! Regulars already know what a lot of fun this is, but should you be new to it all, you can find out what the deal is here. I’m thrilled with the prize I have for this year’s winner, which is a magnificent mega-bundle of Microplane goodies, consisting of 1 x Fine Grater, 1 x Coarse Grater, 1 x Extra Coarse Grater, 1 x Ribbon Grater, 1 x Zester, 1 x Y-Shaped Peeler, 1 x Pizza Wheel, and 1 x Spice Mill 2-in-1. If you’ve seen any of my tv programmes, you’ll have seen me wielding many a Microplane! On top of this, I’ll also be sending the winner a specially signed congratulatory copy of my Christmas book. And I’ll also be personalising and signing a copy of Nigella Christmas for the five runners-up, too.
All that remains for me to say is that I wish you a light-filled, merry and delicious Christmas, followed by a peaceful, happy and healthy New Year!
Photo by Lis Parsons
