What a cracker!! Embrace simplicity and enjoy Christmas Day with little fuss and still impress the relatives. Well that’s exactly what we got with our latest cooking class aptly titled Christmas with a Twist. Our guest chef was again Sally Lynch from Taste Trekkers who never fails to please with her tasty, innovative, fresh flavoured culinary ideas. Tonight was no exception. We started with a pomegranate punch that was festive with frozen raspberries and red currants – great for kids too and for the adults you could always add a little of your favourite white spirit if you were so inclined.
For me the next dish is perfect to compliment our hot summer, great for Christmas but also for any festive event – it was salmon carpaccio with preserved lemon, capers, chilli and garnished with watercress and fresh salmon roe. We served it with thin slices of sourdough baguette and it was nothing short of divine. I will definitely be serving this on Christmas Day!!
Next up came the Confit Chicken which translated as delicious Chicken Maryland pieces cooked in duck fat, olive oil and whole garlic cloves. It was sensational and could be substituted with duck perfectly. This was accompanied with sweet potato gratin that had a hint of five spice and a gorgeous cucumber salad with roasted peanuts and fresh mint and coriander. We then made a redcurrant and orange sauce to serve with the chicken. The whole meal had a subtle Asian influence that really sits well with our climate and I can tell you I would much rather be enjoying a meal like this than sweating through the usual Christmas roast I serve up.
Dessert was a sublime Russian Pashka that is based on cream cheese and sour cream blended with vanilla bean and sugar and then mixed with chocolate, almonds, brandied sultanas and lemon zest. A divine way to conclude a perfect Christmas Lunch!!
And if that all sounds too hard, you can always pick up your Chrissy Lunch from us on Christmas Eve and the only work you will have is in deciding what to order!!