Showing posts with label salad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label salad. Show all posts

Monday, 8 December 2025

Why Steve’s Leaves Are Perfect for Your Christmas Salads

Bring freshness to your festive table with Steve’s Leaves. 

Discover why their tender, flavour-packed salads are perfect for Christmas dinners, buffets, and Boxing Day feasts.

When the Christmas season rolls in, most of us start thinking about rich roasts, golden potatoes, pigs in blankets, and decadent desserts.

 But there’s one unsung hero that quietly elevates the festive table: a fresh, vibrant, beautifully balanced salad. 

And when it comes to salad leaves that look and taste like Christmas cheer in a bowl, Steve’s Leaves deserves the spotlight.

Freshness That Makes a Real Difference

Steve’s Leaves is known for producing some of the freshest, most flavourful salad leaves available in UK supermarkets. They grow their leaves with care, harvesting them young so they’re naturally tender and mild. This makes them far more appealing than the limp or bitter salads we’ve all encountered at least once during the holiday rush.

Their leaves are washed in Hampshire chalk spring water, which not only preserves their crispness but enhances the clean, refreshing taste that pairs beautifully with heavier Christmas foods.

A Brilliant Balance for the Festive Table

Christmas dinners are famously indulgent. A bright salad is the perfect way to balance richer dishes—cutting through the fattiness of ham, turkey, or goose; complementing cheese boards; and bringing colour to the plate.

Steve’s Leaves blends often include mizuna, pea shoots, baby spinach, and other delicate greens that:

Add texture without overpowering other flavours

Hold dressings well

Stay crisp on the plate

Bring a welcome freshness to the meal

For a festive twist, you can mix their leaves with seasonal ingredients such as pomegranate seeds, orange segments, walnuts, or even roasted sprouts.

Ideal for Stress-Free Christmas Hosting

At Christmas, convenience matters just as much as taste. Steve’s Leaves packs are ready to serve straight from the bag, cutting down prep time when you’re juggling gravy, stuffing, roasties, and last-minute gift wrapping.

Their packaging is also thoughtfully designed to keep leaves fresher for longer, reducing the risk of waste—always helpful when you’re planning meals for guests who may or may not turn up depending on train strikes or flu season!

Great for Boxing Day and Beyond

Christmas salads aren’t just for the big day. On Boxing Day, when the leftovers come out, Steve’s Leaves offer a refreshing base for turkey salads, cold cuts, and buffet spreads. The light, green crunch adds variety and lifts what can often feel like a beige buffet into something colourful and inviting.

Festive Salad Ideas Featuring Steve’s Leaves

Here are a few easy combinations to try:

Pomegranate & Pistachio Salad: Baby leaves tossed with ruby pomegranate seeds and chopped pistachios, with a drizzle of honey and lemon.

Brie & Cranberry Leaf Salad: A wonderful way to use up leftover cheese and sauce.

Citrus Winter Salad: Blood orange or clementine slices with pea shoots and toasted almonds.

Warm Sprout & Bacon Salad: Crispy bacon and warm roasted sprouts over fresh spinach for a cosy twist.

A Healthy Counterbalance

Let’s be honest—December can be a nutritional minefield. A bowl of Steve’s Leaves here and there helps bring fibre, vitamins, and a sense of balance to the season without feeling like a compromise. Their leaves aren’t a diet food—they’re simply delicious, and they fit naturally into festive eating.

If you’re planning your Christmas shop, don’t overlook the salad aisle. A few packs of Steve’s Leaves can elevate your festive meals, brighten your Boxing Day buffet, and add a dash of colour to even the greyest December afternoon. 

Fresh, flavourful, and beautifully grown, they’re a small addition that makes a big difference.

Steve's Leaves are available at Waitrose.com and https://www.ocado.com

Saturday, 28 December 2024

Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Christmas Turkey: From a Tasty Curry to a Hearty Stew

After the Christmas feast, there’s often one star of the show that lingers in the fridge—turkey. Whether you’ve roasted a whole bird or gone for a crown, there’s usually plenty of meat left to play with. 

The beauty of leftover turkey is its versatility; it’s a blank canvas for a range of comforting and flavourful dishes.

Here are some delicious ideas to transform your leftover Christmas turkey into meals that will keep the festive spirit alive while avoiding waste.

1. Classic Turkey Curry

A turkey curry is a post-Christmas tradition in many households. It’s warming, flavourful, and a great way to feed a crowd.

How to Make It

Sauté onions, garlic, and ginger in oil until soft.

Add your favourite curry paste or spices (such as garam masala, turmeric, and cumin) and cook until fragrant.

Stir in a tin of chopped tomatoes and coconut milk, then simmer.

Add shredded turkey and cook until heated through.

Serve with rice, naan bread, and a dollop of yoghurt.

For a twist, try a Thai-style turkey curry with red curry paste, lime juice, and fresh coriander.

2. Turkey and Vegetable Soup

A hearty soup is perfect for using up turkey and any leftover vegetables from Christmas dinner.

How to Make It

Sauté onions, celery, and carrots in a large pot.

Add chopped turkey, leftover roasted vegetables, and a splash of white wine or sherry.

Pour in chicken or turkey stock and bring to a simmer.

Add herbs like thyme or parsley, and season with salt and pepper.

Blend part of the soup for a thicker texture or leave it chunky for a rustic feel.

Serve with crusty bread for a cosy meal.

3. Turkey and Leek Pie

A creamy turkey and leek pie is the ultimate comfort food.

How to Make It

Sauté sliced leeks in butter until soft.

Stir in leftover turkey and a splash of white wine or stock.

Add double cream or a cheese sauce, then season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.

Transfer to a pie dish, top with puff pastry, and bake at 200°C (400°F) until golden.

For extra flavour, mix in leftover ham or stuffing.

4. Turkey Enchiladas

Bring some spice to your leftovers with turkey enchiladas.

How to Make It

Mix shredded turkey with sautéed onions, peppers, and a dollop of sour cream or salsa.

Roll the mixture into tortillas and place them in a baking dish.

Top with enchilada sauce and grated cheese, then bake at 180°C (350°F) until bubbling.

Serve with guacamole, sour cream, and a sprinkle of fresh coriander.

5. Turkey and Sweetcorn Chowder

This creamy chowder is a comforting way to use up turkey and any leftover corn or potatoes.

How to Make It

Sauté onions, celery, and garlic in butter.

Add diced potatoes, sweetcorn, and turkey.

Pour in chicken stock and simmer until the potatoes are tender.

Stir in cream or milk, and season with thyme, salt, and pepper.

Serve with crusty bread for dipping.

6. Turkey Stir-Fry

A quick stir-fry is a light and tasty way to use up turkey.

How to Make It

Heat oil in a wok and stir-fry chopped vegetables (like peppers, carrots, and broccoli).

Add shredded turkey and a splash of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, or teriyaki sauce.

Toss in cooked noodles or serve over rice.

Top with sesame seeds and spring onions for extra flavour.

7. Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Give a classic dish a festive twist by swapping beef or lamb for turkey.

How to Make It

Sauté onions, carrots, and celery, then add shredded turkey and a splash of gravy or stock.

Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with mashed potatoes (add a sprinkle of cheese if you like).

Bake at 200°C (400°F) until golden and bubbling.

8. Turkey Stew with Dumplings

A rich stew is the perfect winter warmer.

How to Make It

Sauté onions, garlic, and root vegetables in a large pot.

Add turkey, leftover gravy, and chicken or turkey stock.

Simmer until the vegetables are tender.

Drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough on top and cook until the dumplings are fluffy.

Serve with a side of steamed greens for a complete meal.

9. Turkey Caesar Salad

If you’re craving something lighter after the indulgence of Christmas, a turkey Caesar salad is a great choice.

How to Make It

Toss shredded turkey with crisp romaine lettuce, croutons, and Parmesan cheese.

Drizzle with Caesar dressing and top with a soft-boiled egg or anchovies for extra richness.

10. Turkey Sandwiches, but Elevated

The classic turkey sandwich gets a gourmet makeover with the right ingredients.

Ideas

Turkey Club: Layer turkey with crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise on toasted bread.

Festive Twist: Add stuffing, cranberry sauce, and a slice of Brie for a Christmas-inspired sandwich.

Hot Turkey Melt: Toast turkey with cheese and caramelised onions on sourdough bread.

A Dish for Every Mood

Leftover turkey is the gift that keeps on giving, offering endless possibilities for comforting meals. Whether you’re in the mood for a spicy curry, a creamy pie, or a simple salad, these recipes ensure no morsel of your Christmas feast goes to waste.

Happy cooking!