My wife has a family recipe for Benedictine DOM. Two measures of Benedictine DOM and two measures of warm water and a cube of ice.
This, her uncle told my wife, will cure just about anything! And I must admit that the usual pre-Christmas bug was quickly helped on its way with several glasses of the family recipe! I am not sure which of the nearly 30 herbs and spices did the trick, but it certainly worked!
You can enjoy the warming, sensuous characteristics of Benedictine by itself, or with water, or on the rocks.
You might also enjoy a Cafe Benedictine, which is two measures of Benedictine and four measures of coffee, topped off with some whipped cream, or some thick pouring cream, if you'd rather.
Or you can try your hand at the Old Fashioned Benedictine. Take two drops of Angostura Bitters, two measures of Benedictine and two bar spoons of sugar.
You add the sugar the bitters and half a shot of Benedictine into a glass. Stir for one minute until the sugar is dissolved.
Add an ice cube, stir for one minute.
Add a shot of Benedictine and two more ice cubes. Stir for two minutes.
Then add another half shot of Benedictine with two more ice cubes. Stir for two minutes, then serve with extra ice if required. You can garnish with a twist of orange peel.
Monday, 17 December 2012
Do it right this Christmas! Use Thousand Island Dressing!
Thousand Island Dressing Light is fat free and will add more than a little pizazz to your Christmas and New Year party starters!
If you want to make a prawn salad that is perfection on a plate, or produce a potato salad that would grace the table of any of the TC chefs (well, in our dreams!) or if you want to do something really creative with some turkey leftovers, then Kraft Thousand Island Dressing Light will do this and much, much more for you!
And don't forget, there are several other delicious chef's helpers in the Light range: Herb and Garlic, Honey and Mustard, Balsamic, Caesar, French and Italian. Why not buy them all in your last big Christmas shop and really go to town on the starters?
If you want to make a prawn salad that is perfection on a plate, or produce a potato salad that would grace the table of any of the TC chefs (well, in our dreams!) or if you want to do something really creative with some turkey leftovers, then Kraft Thousand Island Dressing Light will do this and much, much more for you!
And don't forget, there are several other delicious chef's helpers in the Light range: Herb and Garlic, Honey and Mustard, Balsamic, Caesar, French and Italian. Why not buy them all in your last big Christmas shop and really go to town on the starters?
Saturday, 15 December 2012
drinks21 Serves Up ‘Must Have’ Drinks Cabinet Essentials with new online shop
www.drinks21.com
kicks has launched an enviable range of premium and
super-premium ‘handpicked’ alcholic drinks carefully tried,
tested and selected from ‘seasoned’ authentic producers located
around the world. Exclusive to drinks21.com include Heavy Water
Vodka (one of the purest Scandinavian vodkas available) and the cool
refreshing taste of ABK6 Ice Cognac.
From limited edition
‘rare finds’ to more popular quality brands, drinks21.com serves
up a ‘menu’ of boutique spirits, Champagnes and wines for those
looking to stimulate their palate with a taste of the unexpected.
Winter
2012 drinks cabinet essentials as recommended by Gail Graham
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Porsche
Design Chiller– £200
Made from brushed steel and PU leather
trim, this bottle of award winning Johnnie Walker Blue Label is
showcased within a sophisticated limited edition Porsche design ice
chiller and contains a blend of rarest malts and most superior
grains, matured to their peak. Very limited availability
Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Brut
Gold NV - £225
The Brut Gold cuvée is a blend of the
grape varieties Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, making use
of only Premier Cru and Grand Cru rated grapes.
A host of celebrities have shown their
support for Armand de Brignac Gold.
Heavy Water Vodka - £30
Handcrafted in Sweden
to an old Norwegian recipe, this exceptional Scandinavian vodka
combines the purest water from a subterranean lake formed in the ice
age with Scandinavian winter wheat.
Distilled not less than
five times to create smoothness with rich crisp flavours on
the palate, the award winning Heavy Water Vodka has a
distinct in-built aeration rod which infuses oxygen into every pour.
Launched in the UK earlier this year by drinks21.
ABK6 Ice Cognac - £40
New to the UK by drinks21, this Cognac
should be served in a tumbler over several cubes of ice to maximise
flavour explosion. Ice Cognac (40% vol) marries suave and subtle
notes of fruits and evolves towards fresh aromas such as zesty lemon
sorbet and the coolness of mint.
Showcased in a pearly white 70cl bottle
boasting an elegant design with shiny white and golden frieze detail
to inject a ‘Marie Antoinette’ sophisticated chic-ness, Ice
Cognac will be appreciated by both connoisseurs and amateurs alike.
Penfolds Bin 620, 2008: £1,000
An iconic wine, this is the first
release of this particular Penfolds wine since 1966. Coonawarra was
blessed with a great vintage when the earlier-ripening Shiraz could
be blended with the later-ripening Cabernet to highlight the best of
both varieties, and their synergistic union. The brilliantly clear,
deep purple-crimson colour is an enticing start, and the seamless
fruit and oak integration on the bouquet is perfect. Complex cedar
and cigar box aromas are entwined with a basket of perfectly ripened
black fruits. The palate is exceptionally intense, yet supremely
elegant, with immaculate balance, texture, structure, line and
length. Its outstanding tannins give the wine a certain authority.
Penfolds Bin 620 2008 is 51% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 49% Shiraz. It was matured 12 months in new oak
hogshead, 57% French and 43% American, and bottled in July 2009.
Extremely limited availability worldwide
Lourensford Winemakers Selection
Chardonnay 2011- £12
Produced from the vineyards of
Stellenbosch, South Africa, this gold medal winner at the 2012
International Wine Challenge invites a Brazil nut creaminess on the
nose, plenty of buttery, oatmeal lees richness and lots of crunchy
apple fruit. In the mouth, a joyous ripeness to the fruit, edging
into the pineapple and mango range, but the apple, pear and lemon
core of fruit and acidity drives through. A real find!
Pio Cesare Barolo - £45
Awarded 93 points by Decanter magazine,
Pio Cesare Barolo boats lovely dark fruits, nice acidity and
softening tannins coupled with a nut and leather finish. A real
Autumnal wine, warming and full bodied. Will continue to mature.
Seasonal Snacks from Penn State
Penn State know a great deal about snacks. They produce American style pretzels.
They are ideal for munching whilst watching Christmas TV specials, for serving as part of a festive buffet or for enjoying as part of a salad.
Penn State has something very special to offer us, this Christmas. Deliciously moreish Maple Bacon flavour pretzel knots are an ideal savoury snack which, despite the lovely bacon flavour, is also fine for vegetarians, too.
And then there is the Original Salted Giant Stars! The glaze on them is delicious and the crystals of salt are delightful little surprises as you nibble your way through this festive treat!
I find both types irresistible!
Incidentally, Penn State pretzels are low in salt, so are a little bit more of a healthy option than you might expect!
They are both available in large sharing bags at £1.40 each, in Asda.
They are ideal for munching whilst watching Christmas TV specials, for serving as part of a festive buffet or for enjoying as part of a salad.
Penn State has something very special to offer us, this Christmas. Deliciously moreish Maple Bacon flavour pretzel knots are an ideal savoury snack which, despite the lovely bacon flavour, is also fine for vegetarians, too.
And then there is the Original Salted Giant Stars! The glaze on them is delicious and the crystals of salt are delightful little surprises as you nibble your way through this festive treat!
I find both types irresistible!
Incidentally, Penn State pretzels are low in salt, so are a little bit more of a healthy option than you might expect!
They are both available in large sharing bags at £1.40 each, in Asda.
Coffee from Jamaica is a must for Christmas
I have to admit that before I became aware of Sea Island Coffee, I had been woefully ignorant of the strong tradition of coffee growing in Jamaica.
Sea Island Coffee is a genuine gold medal winning coffee, having won "Great Taste Gold" in both 2010 and again this year, 2012.
The first thing one notices about Sea Island Coffee Clifton Mount Estate Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee is the deliciously strong, yet subtly mellow aroma of this finest of fine coffees.
The taste has a strong character, yet it is also paradoxically extremely smooth in the mouth and on the tongue.
There is also a creamy note to it in the after taste that takes this coffee and sets it apart from most other coffees.
It is pleasant with a meal, after a meal, before a meal or at any time of the day when you just want to know that you are indulging in coffee excellence.
Whilst I have to say that this coffee is ideal for Christmas, the truth is it is ideal at any time of the year. A fantastic drink when you come back from a brisk walk in the snow, and an equally fantastic drink on the patio at the height of summer!
Incidentally, the coffee is roasted and packed within the U.K.
To learn more visit www.seaislandcoffee.com.
Sea Island Coffee is a genuine gold medal winning coffee, having won "Great Taste Gold" in both 2010 and again this year, 2012.
The first thing one notices about Sea Island Coffee Clifton Mount Estate Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee is the deliciously strong, yet subtly mellow aroma of this finest of fine coffees.
The taste has a strong character, yet it is also paradoxically extremely smooth in the mouth and on the tongue.
There is also a creamy note to it in the after taste that takes this coffee and sets it apart from most other coffees.
It is pleasant with a meal, after a meal, before a meal or at any time of the day when you just want to know that you are indulging in coffee excellence.
Whilst I have to say that this coffee is ideal for Christmas, the truth is it is ideal at any time of the year. A fantastic drink when you come back from a brisk walk in the snow, and an equally fantastic drink on the patio at the height of summer!
Incidentally, the coffee is roasted and packed within the U.K.
To learn more visit www.seaislandcoffee.com.
Friday, 14 December 2012
Genius Mince Pies Gluten, wheat free and tasty, too!
Time was when if you wanted gluten and wheat free foods, you had to hunt down an obscure 'health' shop where, if you were lucky, you might find some ridiculously overpriced ersatz product that looked a mucky grey colour and tasted as if it was made out of sawdust with a bit of millet flour added to it. One such health shop in the mid-1980s still had some products on the shelves that were printed up in pre-decimal currency!
But that was then! Today people who need gluten and wheat free products and those favouring a vegetarian lifestyle find that although health shops stock the products they need, they can also be found in supermarkets and some of the larger convenience stores.
One company cooking such treats is Genius Gluten Free. The product we are looking at in this review are the Genius gluten and wheat free Mince Pies.
The rather tasty mince pie mix is encased in a shortcrust pasty case. The shortcrust pastry case is a little different to other short crust pastries you might have tried. Different, yet very, very appealing. Melt in the mouth is one way of describing it.
The mince pie mix has a good, traditional flavour, enhanced by the addition of some Bramley apples, along with the more usual raisins.
They come in packs of four. Best get several extra packs because, once they have tasted them, people who aren't on a gluten-free diet will keep pestering you to let you try them!
www.geniusglutenfree.com
But that was then! Today people who need gluten and wheat free products and those favouring a vegetarian lifestyle find that although health shops stock the products they need, they can also be found in supermarkets and some of the larger convenience stores.
One company cooking such treats is Genius Gluten Free. The product we are looking at in this review are the Genius gluten and wheat free Mince Pies.
The rather tasty mince pie mix is encased in a shortcrust pasty case. The shortcrust pastry case is a little different to other short crust pastries you might have tried. Different, yet very, very appealing. Melt in the mouth is one way of describing it.
The mince pie mix has a good, traditional flavour, enhanced by the addition of some Bramley apples, along with the more usual raisins.
They come in packs of four. Best get several extra packs because, once they have tasted them, people who aren't on a gluten-free diet will keep pestering you to let you try them!
www.geniusglutenfree.com
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Don't forget the vegetarians or those on special diets!
Amidst the mad dash of Christmas preparations (the presents, the tinsel, the wrapping paper, the food, the drink) it can be all too easy to forget those people who are vegetarian or on special or restricted diets due to health issues. (Gluten allergy, diabetic, lactose intolerant, etc.)
Hopefully in the run-up to Christmas That's Christmas will be looking at vegetarian roasts to serve in place of the traditional turkey, duck or beef at Christmas dinner.
And we will also be looking at gluten free alternatives to Christmas mince pies and Christmas puddings that are aimed at those of us who really are trying to look after our health. Even at Christmas time!
And we will also look at conscience friendly products that are produced for those of us who care not only about what we put into our bodies, but also care very deeply about the people who grow and process the foods that we eat.
Hopefully in the run-up to Christmas That's Christmas will be looking at vegetarian roasts to serve in place of the traditional turkey, duck or beef at Christmas dinner.
And we will also be looking at gluten free alternatives to Christmas mince pies and Christmas puddings that are aimed at those of us who really are trying to look after our health. Even at Christmas time!
And we will also look at conscience friendly products that are produced for those of us who care not only about what we put into our bodies, but also care very deeply about the people who grow and process the foods that we eat.
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