Forget the presents; we’re thinking about our plates this Christmas.
For Prestige Venues & Events lunch is, of course, the highlight of Christmas Day. It’s a meal that generates a lot of conversation… with so many seasonal favourites (roast potatoes are officially the UK’s Christmas favourite) and so many more detested festive foods. But why? Is it a case of underappreciation? Are we cooking them wrong? Or, are they just plain revolting!? Here’s our guide Christmas foods with a bad rap and a few foodie fixes:
1. Smelly sprouts
The poor, lowly sprout often gets a bad rap. Detested by children and tolerated by grown-ups, they’re no one’s favourite vegetable. But, believe us they can be wonderful. The key is in the cooking or the lack thereof – do not overcook them!
Our advice is to buy them fresh, massage them in oil first, and roast them. They’ll emerge crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and full of flavour. Roast them alongside festive flavours like chestnuts, sage and shallots to give them more depth of flavour. Or, if it all goes wrong, hide them in another dish… just not the trifle or we’ll all be in trouble.
2. Dry Turkey
Traditionally no Christmas dinner is complete without a turkey on the table. Of course, some will bah humbug its inclusion stating that it’s ‘dry’ or ‘bland’.
This does not have to be the case. For a perfect bird, weigh your turkey after stuffing to calculate the optimum cooking time, and make sure it gets a good rest after taking it out of the oven. And then there’s the question of what to do with all the leftovers? Turkey soup, turkey casserole, turkey curry, turkey sandwiches or, save yourself the hassle and just buy a turkey crown this year - all gone on the day!
3. A Christmas Curry!
Knebworth House are fast making their Christmas Curry Nights a real festive tradition. So, if you’re ready to try something a little different this Christmas, grab the reindeer by the antlers and indulge in an exotic feast in the heart of Hertfordshire. Serving chicken Tikka Masala; Tarka Dhal; Keralan chickpea tomato and spinach curry; poppadums and chutneys, alongside a mouth-watering mango cheesecake for dessert, there’s something for everyone, with abundant vegetarian, vegans and gluten free dishes.
4. Chestnuts
Did you know it’s really quite dangerous to roast chestnuts on an open fire? How disappointing. But they’re delicious with stuffing, so we’ll let them off.
5. The Nut Roast
The humble nut roast has fast become a Christmas staple. It’s delectable on the day and even better in a Boxing Day sandwich. But, if your vegetarian guests are bored of year-round nut roasts, why not try a stuffed butternut squash or a festive tart instead. If you’re catering for vegans, try a vegan wellington for a tasty plant-based alternative.
6. Christmas Pudding
Christmas puddings are a fine art. They take months to make, and when you proudly present the object of your hard work to the table on Christmas day… everyone’s already full.
So our advice is to spare the time; buy a pudding in but don’t forget to splash out. Buy a good quality pudd and really make the most of the tradition. Douse it in your best brandy, set fire to it (responsibly) with relish, and serve with lots of clotted cream. Though if you’re making it yourself, don’t be afraid to mix up the flavours; orange and lemon are festive, tasty and timeless.
Learn more about our Food Philosophies and Christmas Events at Prestige Venues & Events...
Forget the presents; we’re thinking about our plates this Christmas.
For Prestige Venues & Events lunch is, of course, the highlight of Christmas Day. It’s a meal that generates a lot of conversation… with so many seasonal favourites (roast potatoes are officially the UK’s Christmas favourite) and so many more detested festive foods. But why? Is it a case of underappreciation? Are we cooking them wrong? Or, are they just plain revolting!? Here’s our guide Christmas foods with a bad rap and a few foodie fixes:
1. Smelly sprouts
The poor, lowly sprout often gets a bad rap. Detested by children and tolerated by grown-ups, they’re no one’s favourite vegetable. But, believe us they can be wonderful. The key is in the cooking or the lack thereof – do not overcook them!
Our advice is to buy them fresh, massage them in oil first, and roast them. They’ll emerge crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and full of flavour. Roast them alongside festive flavours like chestnuts, sage and shallots to give them more depth of flavour. Or, if it all goes wrong, hide them in another dish… just not the trifle or we’ll all be in trouble.
2. Dry Turkey
Traditionally no Christmas dinner is complete without a turkey on the table. Of course, some will bah humbug its inclusion stating that it’s ‘dry’ or ‘bland’.
This does not have to be the case. For a perfect bird, weigh your turkey after stuffing to calculate the optimum cooking time, and make sure it gets a good rest after taking it out of the oven. And then there’s the question of what to do with all the leftovers? Turkey soup, turkey casserole, turkey curry, turkey sandwiches or, save yourself the hassle and just buy a turkey crown this year - all gone on the day!
3. A Christmas Curry!
Knebworth House are fast making their Christmas Curry Nights a real festive tradition. So, if you’re ready to try something a little different this Christmas, grab the reindeer by the antlers and indulge in an exotic feast in the heart of Hertfordshire. Serving chicken Tikka Masala; Tarka Dhal; Keralan chickpea tomato and spinach curry; poppadums and chutneys, alongside a mouth-watering mango cheesecake for dessert, there’s something for everyone, with abundant vegetarian, vegans and gluten free dishes.
4. Chestnuts
Did you know it’s really quite dangerous to roast chestnuts on an open fire? How disappointing. But they’re delicious with stuffing, so we’ll let them off.
5. The Nut Roast
The humble nut roast has fast become a Christmas staple. It’s delectable on the day and even better in a Boxing Day sandwich. But, if your vegetarian guests are bored of year-round nut roasts, why not try a stuffed butternut squash or a festive tart instead. If you’re catering for vegans, try a vegan wellington for a tasty plant-based alternative.
6. Christmas Pudding
Christmas puddings are a fine art. They take months to make, and when you proudly present the object of your hard work to the table on Christmas day… everyone’s already full.
So our advice is to spare the time; buy a pudding in but don’t forget to splash out. Buy a good quality pudd and really make the most of the tradition. Douse it in your best brandy, set fire to it (responsibly) with relish, and serve with lots of clotted cream. Though if you’re making it yourself, don’t be afraid to mix up the flavours; orange and lemon are festive, tasty and timeless.
Learn more about our Food Philosophies and Christmas Events at Prestige Venues & Events
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