Monday 11 January 2016

Friday 8 January 2016

Thursday 24 December 2015

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year


From That's Christmas.

We will be back with more Christmas stories some time during 20016.

Some very late minute Christmas presents from Kurobuta!

Kurobuta! They have some amazing vouchers available online and also have a great Christmas exclusive offer running with Timeout - http://uk-offers.timeout.com/deals/food-and-drink-kurobuta-harvey-nichols

This Christmas why don’t you give the gift of an amazing dining experience? Kurobuta has put together a variety of brilliant options for those foodies in your life. From a private cooking lesson to an indulgent champagne lunch, there is something for everyone - and if you’re lucky maybe they will take you along!

Each gift has been carefully thought out by Kurobuta owner Scott Hallsworth to ensure that each offer is the best it can be. You will get to experience the true Kurobuta with these offers and sample a selection of their most popular dishes and drinks depending on which gift you decide to choose.

Kurobuta takes its inspiration from the Izakayas of Japan, where tapas-style plates are served to accompany drinks in a casual setting. Originally a pop up Kurobuta has been such a hit with diners who fell for the unique chilled out ambience and exceptional Japanese food; it’s now a permanent fixture in London’s Marble Arch, on Chelsea’s Kings Road and Kurobuta can now be found on Harvey Nichols 5th floor!

The below are the gift options that are available this year – a gift you will be sorry to be giving away!

·         Cooking Lesson for 1 Person - £150.00
·         Sushi & Sake for Two - £50.00
·         Champagne Sunday Lunch for Two - £75.00
·         Dinner for Two - £80.00
·         Lunch for Two - £55.00
·         £80 Voucher - £80.00
·         £50 Voucher - £50.00
·         Sake Dinners for One - £100.00
·         £100 Voucher - £100.00

https://kurobuta.giftvouchers.uk.com//


One in 10 UK adults would give up alcohol to get online this Christmas

One in 10 UK adults would sacrifice alcohol in order to stay online this Christmas in what is being dubbed ‘going Dry-Fi’, whilst 9% would give up chocolate, according to the latest research commissioned by Virgin Media.  

The UK’s ultrafast broadband provider has revealed how the internet underpins the nation’s festive needs. According to the survey of over 2,000 UK adults celebrating the Christmas holiday, carried out by YouGov, two thirds (67%) of respondents plan to go online on Christmas day.

Of those, 38% will spread festive cheer on Facebook while nearly one in five (18%) will check out Boxing Day sales. These figures are higher among 25-34 year olds with just under half (48%) using social media and a quarter (25%) looking for online deals.
In fact, one in five 25-34 year olds said that having Wi-Fi will be ‘essential’ for a successful Christmas day.

Wi-Fi etiquette
However, our ever growing appetite for all things digital will not be without domestic politics this Christmas as Virgin Media’s research has revealed some of the new rules of engagement when hosting or visiting family and friends.
The research reveals 43% of those surveyed said they will ask for, or expect to be offered, their host’s Wi-Fi password this Christmas.

This generosity must be reciprocated, with 39% of people believing they should extend the same connectivity courtesy when they have visitors – a good reason to ensure your broadband speed will support the additional use.
Over a quarter (27%) of those polled said that a host’s internet connection should only be used for basic internet activities such as checking emails or social media, however 14% expect guests to be able to use the internet to do whatever they like.

For those without a reliable and fast Wi-Fi connection, there may be repercussions – the data showed that 14% of guests would let the host know if their Wi-Fi didn’t meet their browsing needs.

The UK’s love of digital life is not at the cost of festive traditions. Of those asked, the most popular essentials for a successful Christmas were being with friends and family (80%), Christmas dinner with all the trimmings (65%), giving and receiving presents (61%) and having access to festive TV (42%).

Have their life story written up by expert ghostwriters! What a super gift!


Story Terrace helps you turn memories and stories into a beautiful book, using their ghostwriters to find your voice and tell  story.

Whether you have an interesting family history, a life story or successful career, with Story Terrace you can create your own memoir or autobiography, for yourself or as a unique gift, a keepsake for future generations to read.

To learn more visit https://storyterrace.com/how-it-works/.

Christmas recipes from Mission Deli

Spicy Orange, Chocolate &Cranberry Wrap Cake

Preparation time: - 15 minutes.
Cooking time: - 45 minutes in total.

Ingredients
3 Mission Deli Original Wraps
225g (8oz) Chopped bitter chocolate
75g (2¾ oz) Unsalted butter
1 Beaten egg
3 tbsp castor sugar
2 Medium eggs
65g (2 ¼ oz) Castor sugar
284mls (½ pint) Double cream, heated 
Pinch salt
Pinch chilli powder
Finely grated zest 1 large orange
3 tbsp vanilla extract
120g (4oz) Semi dried cranberries

Method
1. Pre heat the oven to 180°C gas 4.
2. Melt the chocolate and unsalted butter together, over a pan of simmering water.
3. In a bowl place the eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt, chilli, orange zest and mix well.
4. Next lay out the 3 wraps, and brush with beaten egg and sprinkle liberally with castor sugar.
5. Lay onto a baking sheet and bake in the pre heated oven until crisp and nicely coloured
6. Once cooked cool. 
7. Reduce the heat in the oven to 160°C gas 3.
8. Next add the warm cream to the melted chocolate and butter, then mix well.
9. Add to the egg mixture and whisk well.
10. Lay one of the cooked wraps in the bottom of a 25cm x 5½ cm, loose bottomed cake tin. The cooked wraps should fit in perfectly.
11. Pour in half the chocolate and egg mixture, then, sprinkle over half the cranberries.
12. Lay on the second wrap and pour in the last of the chocolate and egg mixture, then sprinkle over the rest of the cranberries. Top with the last wrap.
13. Place the tin into the oven and cook for 15 minutes, or until the outside edge is set. 
14. Remove from the oven, cool, then chill well, best overnight.
15. Cut into thick wedges, dust well with plenty of cocoa powder and icing sugar, serve with a dollop of clotted cream
- Serves 6-8 


Warm Christmas Pudding Wraps with Brandy Dipping Custard Sauce

Preparation time:- 15 minutes.
Cooking time:- 15 minutes.

Ingredients
4 Mission Deli Original Wraps
350g (12oz) Christmas pudding
2-3 tbsp Brandy
1 medium egg, beaten
castor sugar
2 x 150g pots ready to eat custard
4 tbsp Brandy
Method
1. Pre heat the oven to 180°C gas 4.
2. Cut the Christmas pudding into 16, 6cm long x 1cm thick sticks, then drizzle
with the brandy.
3. Square off the round edges of the wraps, give them to the kids.
4. Then cut each square into 4 equal pieces.
5. Brush well with beaten egg, and sprinkle with a little castor sugar.
6. Lay each stick onto the edge of one of the quarters of wrap and roll up,
placing the roll on the cut edge.
7. Repeat for the other 15 pieces.
8. Place onto a baking tray and brush with beaten egg and dust with a little
castor sugar.
9. Bake in the pre heated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until well browned.
10. Mix the brandy into the custard to your liking.
11. Serve the rolls with the custard dip warm, not hot.
- Serves 4-6 persons


Wraps are available at most supermarkets, RRP: £1.70. So pick some up on the last Christmas shopping run on Christmas Eve and get creative!