Make it feel like a celebration...

                                   ...food for the Holiday Season 

We are coming up to the end of the year. There’s a lot going on. Some can hardly wait, for others it's a nightmare of shopping and wrapping, cooking and cleaning up.

Not everyone celebrates Christmas, though - and if they do, it may not even be on December 25.

There is also the ‘silly season’ between Dec 25 and January 1, then there is New Year and New Year's Eve, and in early January there’s Orthodox Christmas plus  at least another a week or so of school holidays.

So here's to everyone, everywhere, who is giving gifts, sharing a table, and welcoming friends and family.

This raises the question of how should we ‘celebrate’ (any or all!) of these holidays without a nervous breakdown. The best idea is to keep it simple, make it eye-catching – plus tasty - and offer plenty of choices.

Read more...

Have a 'Pawfect' holiday season

Keep your holiday-season food away from the dogs

Leftover stuffing from the poultry to the dog - what could possibly go wrong? Rover seems to love it!

According to research done by https://www.money.co.uk/pet-insurance.htm many foods that humans love, do not agree with dogs. Some might even kill them.

If you’re planning on eating sage and onion stuffing, hide it from your dogs (and cats). Onions, garlic, chives, shallots and leeks all belong to the allium plant. When ingested, it can damage your dog’s red blood cells which transports oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues. They may experience an increased heart and respiratory rate, weakness and diarrhoea, with some symptoms not visible until a few days after. Oops!!

Want to know more?....

World's quickest confectionery

Guests arriving for coffee tomorrow morning? Melt and scatter, that's all you need to do tonight, for a delicious treat next day.

Melt a 200 gm block of 70 percent chocolate and pour it into a mould or tin, lined with kitchen paper. Sprinkle with trail-mix and press it in just enough for it to stick to the softened chocolate. Cover and cool until set. Cut into squares to serve.

NOTE: It doesn't keep long - but that's because it is SO good.

Family favourites

Every family has its own list of favourite dishes - especially at times of celebration.

If you are the 'cook' - why not ask your family for ideas? 

You may be surprised at what they choose, but it's worth doing, as then everyone has contributed, and probably those  familiar dishes will be easier to prepare as well. You are also creating family history.

In our house we always have blueberry pancakes for breakfast on Christmas morning.

Here are some favourite holiday dessert recipes in our home:

Christmas tree muffins....

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Tropical fruit cake...

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Christmassy chocolate roulade...

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Cherry berry-misu

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Chocolate fondue

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MORE recipes for all times of the year HERE...

Seeing (and tasting) Pink

Finally, the perfect drink for summer. Pampelle – the world’s first ruby red grapefruit aperitif – is bringing the French Riviera and relaxed holiday vibes to your summer drinks.

Oh, and it's not just a pretty drink - its versatility means you can make a refreshing Pampelle & Tonic, ‘Summer’ Pampelle Spritzes and Pampelle Negronis. Pampelle gives a unique holiday feeling with every sip. Crafted on the banks of the River Charente in the Cognac region of France, Pampelle is an artisanal, versatile aperitif capturing the bittersweet essences of the Ruby Red Grapefruit.

To enjoy the versatility of Pampelle, check out the three signature serves here...

Year-end celebrations for the world

Most of the world has some sort of year-end (or beginning of the year) celebrations. These stretch from December 5-24 and beyond, extending through New Year on January 1st to January 15th.

Making an early mark, the Dutch expect Saint Nicholas to drop by on December 5th.

PLEASE NOTE: the well-known 12 days of Xmas – should really be measured after December 25th. 

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HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE WORLD

Learn more HERE... 

and HERE....

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Most English-speaking people celebrate at Christmas (Dec 25) and New Year (Jan 1)

·      USA

·      Canada

·      Australia 

·      South Africa

·      Britain

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European countries and some others celebrate Christmas on Dec 24 which is often the big day 

·      France

·      Italy

·      Scandinavia

·      Spain/Portugal 

·      South America

·      Germany

·      Japan

·      India

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OTHER CELEBRATIONS:

Dec 31 Scotland, Hogmanay

Jan 1 Greek New Year 

NY Jan 1; Christmas Jan 6 Armenia

Jan 7 Russian new year 

Croatia

Eastern Europe

Orthodox Christian dates

Christmas in January   

Movable dates: Chinese New Year

The most important thing is that whichever holiday you celebrate...

...enjoy every moment of it.

(All pictures supplied)

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