Dark Chocolate & Marmalade Truffles

Using Cottage Delight Bucks Fizz Thin Cut Marmalade

Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 5 minutes Servings: 30

Ingredients

• 150ml double cream

• 200g dark chocolate chips

• 25g unsalted butter

• 1 zest of an orange

• 1 x 340g jar Cottage Delight Bucks Fizz Thin Cut Marmalade (5 tbsp)

• 1tbsp light brown sugar

For the toppings:

• Bucks Fizz Marmalade

• 15g cocoa powder, sifted

• 100g roasted, chopped hazelnuts

Method 

• In a small saucepan, bring the cream, butter and sugar to just below boiling point, stirring over a gentle heat. Add Bucks Fizz Marmalade and stir through until melted. Zest the orange into the mixture.

• Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate chips and stir gently until melted and smooth. Pour into a shallow dish or tray to cool, then cover and chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours, or until firmed up.

• Put the marmalade, cocoa powder, and hazelnuts in separate bowls. 

• Remove truffle mixture from the fridge. Using a spoon, scrape from the dish, then use your hands to shape the chocolate into small balls.

• Starting with the marmalade, then the cocoa powder and lastly the hazelnuts, roll the truffles in the different toppings until evenly coated. Chill again to firm up. Pop into mini paper cases, if you like.

To learn more and for extra recipes visit https://www.cottagedelight.co.uk.

ILLUMINATURE - fall under nature's spell at London's unique light trail this Christmas

Live within reach of Barnes, south-west London and want to do something different for the Christmas period?

From next month, November, until early January, why not wrap up warm and come and experience the wonder of wildlife at night at the award-winning WWT London Wetland Centre in Barnes, which is in south-west London?

On Fridays to Sundays from 18th November 2022 until 8th January 2023 between 4.30pm and 9.00pm, ILLUMINATURE offers visitors an immersive and unique seasonal experience under the stars. 

Hot chocolate in hand, visitors can follow the twinkling lights and celebrate nature in an immersive light trail of glowing larger-than-life sculptures and stunning installations. 

They can enjoy glimpses of real animal magic through night vision goggles, spotting several species of birds and beautiful plant life. They can also visit the resident family of otters tucked up in bed, while also learning about phases of the moon and how they impact our environment.

Hosted by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) and Lumagica, this captivating experience is a real seasonal treat for all ages to spend an hour or so reconnecting with nature beneath the moonlight.

Lisa Woodward, Centre Manager at London Wetland Centre, said: “2022 will be ILLUMINATURE’s second year at WWT and we are very excited to showcase our amazing wildlife in a unique way, once again. Following last year’s success, the trail has new installations and the addition of the new Twilight Tweatery, full of treats and space to stop and catch up with your loved ones.

“We’re particularly excited to offer visitors the chance not just to delight in the wonderful light show but also discover the London Wetland Centre at night, and see some of the wildlife, including through our new night vision binoculars.

“We hope to welcome both old and new faces into the Centre this year, create excitement surrounding the light trail and encourage visitors to learn more about how special the London Wetland Centre is and the importance of wetlands to our planet.”

Tickets for the enchanting experience are now on sale, priced at GBP18.50 for adults, GBP14.50 for children (under 4s free), with family tickets at GBP60.00. They can be purchased at http://www.wwt.org.uk/illuminature.

The London Wetland Centre has plenty of car parking and is served by local bus services.

Let's go Nintendo this Christmas

Nintendo, even though it's not just for Christmas, Nintendo is really very good for Christmas presents for people of all ages, from young to the not-so-young!

Nintendo Switch OLED – RRP: £309.99 (also available in White)

The newest addition to the Nintendo Switch family of consoles featuring a 7-inch vibrant OLED screen.

Link: https://store.nintendo.co.uk/en_gb/nintendo-switch-oled-model-neon-blueneon-red-000000000010007457.html

Nintendo Switch Lite – RRP: £199.99 (available in Coral, Blue, Turquoise, Yellow, Grey)

The console for gamers on the go, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a compact, lightweight addition to the Nintendo Switch family, with integrated controls.

Link: https://store.nintendo.co.uk/en/nintendo-switch-lite-coral-000000000010004132

Nintendo Switch Sports – RRP: £39.99 

Combining gaming and sports, Nintendo Switch Sports allows the whole family to release their inner sports star as the much-loved successor to Wii Sports.

Link: https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-games/Nintendo-Switch-Sports-2168292.html

 

Mario Strikers: Battle League Football – RRP: £49.99

For anyone who is a football fan but tired of all the rules, Mario Strikers is the perfect game to entertain the whole family with no rules, no referee and no fouls, anything goes!

Link: https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-games/Mario-Strikers-Battle-League-Football-2169139.html

 

Nintendo Switch Online Membership (+ Expansion Pass) – RRP: £34.99-£59.99

Enhance your Nintendo Switch gaming experience allowing you to enjoy competitive and co-operative online gaming with friends and rivals from all around the world.

Link: https://store.nintendo.co.uk/en_gb/nintendo-switch-online-expansion-pack-membership-P00079.html

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe + Booster Course Pass – RRP: £49.99 + £22.49

Enjoy the biggest Mario Kart yet and race anytime, anywhere, with anyone in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Link: https://store.nintendo.co.uk/en_gb/mario-kart-8-deluxe.html

 

Ring Fit Adventure – RRP: £69.99

Real-world movements turn into in-game actions to enable players to explore and battle in the game world using the power of real-world exercise.

Link: https://store.nintendo.co.uk/en_gb/ring-fit-adventure-000000000010001992.html

 

Mario Party Superstars – RRP: £49.99

Enjoy 5 classic boards from the Nintendo 64 era and 100 minigames from across the series.

Link: https://store.nintendo.co.uk/en_gb/mario-party-superstars.html

Animal Crossing: New Horizons – RRP: £49.99

New friends, discoveries and opportunities are waiting for you as paradise is what you make it in Animal Crossing: New Horizon

Link: https://store.nintendo.co.uk/en_gb/animal-crossing-new-horizons-70010000027620.html

 

Splatoon 3 – RRP: £49.99

The next adventure for the  battle-hardened Inklings and Octolings in brand new desolate environment, the Splatlands.

Link: https://store.nintendo.co.uk/en_gb/splatoon-3-70010000046396.html

Pokémon Scarlet – RRP: £49.99 and Pokémon Violet – RRP: £49.99 (Released on Friday 18thNovember 2022)

The first open-world RPGs in the Pokémon series allowing you to team up, battle, train and trade Pokémon and fully immerse yourself in a newly evolved adventure.

Link: https://store.nintendo.co.uk/en_gb/pokemon-scarlet-pokemon-violet.html

LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Mario Starter Course – RRP: £49.99

Fans can begin exploring the fun-packed LEGO Super Mario universe featuring 7 action bricks for different interactives with the LEGO Mario figure.

Link: https://store.nintendo.co.uk/en/lego-super-mario-adventures-with-mario-starter-course-71360-000000000010005366

Super Mario Monopoly – RRP: £34.99

The Super Mario Celebration edition of the Monopoly game offers action-packed excitement along with nostalgia.

Link: https://store.nintendo.co.uk/en/super-mario-monopoly-000000000010005643

Pikachu Aluminium Eco Bottle – RRP: £19.99

Bring your drink everywhere in sustainable style

Link: https://store.nintendo.co.uk/en/pikachu-aluminium-eco-bottle-000000000010008804

Tom Nook Soft Toy – RRP: £14.99

Take Tom Nook with you on all your adventures.

Link: https://store.nintendo.co.uk/en/tom-nook-soft-toy-000000000010005487

Pokémon Poké Ball Mug – RRP: £7.99

For all the Pokémon fans out there!

Link: https://store.nintendo.co.uk/en/pokemon-poke-ball-mug-000000000003453666

 

Super Mario Cap – RRP: £14.99

Channel your inner Super Mario with the red Mario cap.

Link: https://store.nintendo.co.uk/en/super-mario-cap-000000000003384466

Mario Soft Toy – RRP: £14.99

Now you can take Mario with you on all of your adventures! With incredible detail that looks like it has jumped right from the Super Mario world, this Mario soft toy is the perfect gift.

Link: https://store.nintendo.co.uk/en/mario-soft-toy-000000000010004185

 

 

 

Double Dutch Premium Quality Mixers

Joyce and Raissa de Haas

No matter the quality of the spirt drinks you have in your Christmas drink cabinet, be they cheap, cheaper, or of high quality, they can all be improved by the addition of Double Dutch premium quality mixers.

Incidentally, Double Dutch mixers go very well with Everleaf non-alcoholic drinks, too.

What mixers are available? Cucumber and Watermelon, Bloody Mary Soda, Cranberry and Ginger, Ginger Ale, Double Lemmon, Ginger Beer, Indian Tonic Water, Skinny Tonic Water, Soda Water, Cucumber Margarita with Chilli Soda and, of course, Cucumber & Watermelon and Pomegranate & Basil.

Incidentally, Double Dutch was founded by Dutch twins, Joyce and Raissa de Haas in 2015 when they launched their first two mixers, Cucumber & Watermelon and Pomegranate & Basil.

What Christmas-related magical drink can you mix up? This is a good one, I find.

Ginger Spice

INGREDIENTS

50ml Spiced Rum

Lime

Blackberries

Double Dutch Cranberry & Ginger Tonic

ACCESSORIES

Long spoon

Highball or rocks glass 

Spirits jigger

METHOD

Fill your glass with ice.

Pour your rum over ice. 

Squeeze in fresh lime juice.

Top with Double Dutch Cranberry & Ginger

Stir carefully until evenly mixed.

Garnish with fresh blackberries. 

To order your own bottles of Double Dutch mixers and to find even more nifty Christmas and New Year cocktails, visit them at https://doubledutchdrinks.com,

Slow Cooked Turkey & Cranberry Wellington

Using Cottage Delight Classic Cranberry Sauce

Prep: 30 minutes Cook : 30 minutes (more if slow cooking) Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

For slow cooked turkey: 

600g turkey crown 

1 large onion, cut into 8 wedges

4 bay leaves

2tbsp cider vinegar

60g butter 

1 large bunch fresh thyme, leaves picked

For the wellington: 

1 x 225g jar Cottage Delight Classic Cranberry Sauce

1 free range egg yolk, beaten

3tbsp olive oil

640g pre-rolled puff pastry

170g stuffing mix - made to packet instructions

Flour, for dusting

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

olive oil

Method

• To slow cook the turkey, place onions on the bottom of slow cooker. Layer on thyme and bay leaves and place turkey on top. Rub butter on top side and, spoon over cider vinegar and a splash of water. Cook on high for 6 hours, or low for 

• 8. Once cooked and slightly cooled, shred turkey. 

• Alternatively, use leftover pre-cooked and shredded turkey. 

• Pre-heat oven to 180°C fan/200°C/gas 6 

• To assemble the wellington, place one sheet of puff pastry onto a lightly greased baking sheet and spoon on a layer of stuffing evenly in the centre. Ensure you leave 5cm from short edges and roughly 8cm at long edges. 

• Layer shredded turkey then finish with Classic Cranberry Sauce on top. Do not press into turkey. 

• Brush round the outside of pastry layer with egg. 

• Lift the second piece of pastry and place on top of the turkey, pressing the pastry over the sides. Trim the pastry joins to about 4cm and seal the edges with the back of a fork. Brush all over with the remaining beaten egg. Use a sharp knife and carefully make diagonal slits into the pastry, ensuring not to cut through.

• Cook for 30-35 minutes. The pastry should be golden and crisp. Allow the meat to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

For more recipes or to buy online visit https://www.cottagedelight.co.uk.

Enjoy a Babingtons Blends Christmas Tea

Curated by Chiara Bedini, the debut UK collection is available in loose, refill & filter (tea bag) formats. 

Join them in celebrating this unique fusion of aroma, taste, style, eccentricity, wit, and independent behaviour.

All Babingtons Blends teas are sustainably sourced, hand blended and are 100% natural with no artificial colourings or flavourings. All packaging is biodegradable, so it's eco-friendly, too!

Taste: aromatic and spicy

Predominant Hints: cinnamon, ginger, cloves, apple, vanilla 

Goes well with spicy dishes, curries, chicken, and bacon sandwiches 

Sweets: Christmas cake, plum puddings, mince pies and carrot cake 

Time of day: ideal morning and afternoon

Babingtons Blends Individual Teas, from £6.99

Hero teas in the debut collection include Earl Grey Imperial, Breakfast Special Blend, Karha Chai, Moroccan Secret, Forest Fruits, and Sweet Dreams.

Blends are available in loose leaf and tea bag format.

Available to pre-order online now

www.babingtonsblends.com

 

Make it a CLCKR Christmas!

The most useful gift you can send this Christmas - CLCKR phone case stand and grip This phone case with stand or universal grip is absolutely a gadget you don’t know you need until you use one. And it makes a pretty neat Christmas gift, too!

It stands your device in landscape, portrait or telco mode. It allows you to video call handsfree, watch Netflix, see your favourite movie or workout at home without propping your phone up against a water bottle!

https://www.clckr.com/uk from £29.99 

CLCKR car mount: the CLCKR car mount is a unique product which allows you to store your smartphone whilst in your car. The 2-part mount comes with a small magnetic silver clip which slides onto your CLCKR Stand & Grip allowing it to magnetically connect to the air vent attachment. https://clckr.co.uk/products/car-mount-air-vent £14.99 rrp

CLCKR Wallet: The CLCKR Wallet with built in Stand and Grip is the perfect all-round accessory for your device. The Wallet slides down providing space for up to 3 cards and closes securely so you know your cards aren’t going anywhere. The built-in patented Stand & Grip enables you to use your phone in multiple modes including, portrait, landscape or conference mode. 

https://clckr.co.uk/products/stand-wallet £19.99 

High performance Air Wearables - AirPop - Face masks have quickly become an everyday essential that we can't leave the house without.

AirPop have a range of high-performance air wearables available in multi-use disposable masks, washable masks with disposable filters and masks for children. https://www.airpophealth.com/uk/ From £7.99. An ideal gift for family members who need a bit of air filtration.