Christmas is the season for indulging in everything delicious and there’s no better time to experiment in the kitchen by conjuring up some seasonal homemade treats.

If you love giving a homemade gift at Christmas time, then try Kirstie’s delicious festive Florentines- with their shiny colours, these delicious biscuits are ideal as stocking fillers or simply to serve as a post dinner treat.

This recipe is also really quick and easy to make so is ideal for making with the kids over the school holidays. All you need are some cellophane bags and ribbon to create a really professional looking gift.

Crunchy on the edges and deeply chewy in the middle, these Florentines are made even more yummy, thanks to the addition of Nestlé Carnation® Condensed Milk. This magical ingredient helps the Florentines to bind together to provide a rich and irresistible toffee taste.

You can watch the video here:

Log on to www.carnation.co.uk to find new delicious recipes every month from Kirstie Allsopp

Florentines

Makes 12 biscuits
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10-15 minutes

Ingredients
25g (1oz) butter
25g (1oz) light brown soft sugar
100g (3½oz) Nestlé Carnation Condensed Milk
2tsp plain flour
150g (5½oz) mixed dried fruit and nuts such as apricots, cranberries, blueberries, cherries, toasted flaked almonds, desiccated coconut etc.
85g (3oz) dark chocolate

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180C, (160C for fan ovens) or Gas Mark 4.
2. Melt the butter and sugar in a non-stick saucepan stirring until combined.
3. Add the condensed milk and heat until just bubbling.
4. Stir in the plain flour and mix until smooth.
5. Stir in the dried fruit and nuts.
6. Place spoonfuls of the mixture onto parchment lined baking sheets and bake for about 12 minutes until turning golden brown at the edges.
7. Leave to cool on the tray.
8. When cool, melt the chocolate and spread a small amount on the flat side of the florentine then drag a fork through the chocolate to make wavy lines.

The most common mishaps are dry meat, turkey that is uncooked or hasn’t defrosted properly, people buying the wrong size bird and those that have simply left it so late that the shops have actually run out.

Cooking a feast of massive proportions for extended families of aunties, uncles, grandparents, and children is a task daunting enough to even make a top chef break into a cold sweat, so it’s no surprise three quarters of the great British public suffer stress as a result of buying and preparing Christmas meat.

But the survey commissioned by The Q Guild of Butchers to launch their ‘Meat Your Butcher Sessions’ found an overwhelming 95% of the nation has never asked for expert advice about cooking Christmas dinner whilst more than half of us just head blindly go to the supermarket, and pick meat off the shelf hoping for the best. That’s despite the fact that there is usually a butcher’s shop right round the corner, who can offer quality advice on choosing, preparing and cooking meat.

So how can a local butcher help to reduce stress, focus on value and give fresh advice for your festive feast? When should you have ordered your meat by? What’s the difference between a corn-fed turkey and a gold turkey? How much do you actually need to buy so that you don’t get stuck with masses of meat, or even worse don’t have enough to feed the family? And if you don’t even like turkey, what are the great Christmas meat alternatives?

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

Website: www.guildofqbutchers.com

World famous shopping and lifestyle destination Regent Street, London W1 is pleased to announce its annual switch-on of Christmas lights, this year adorned with extra festive flair as it celebrates the eagerly anticipated release of the 3D family movie, ARTHUR CHRISTMAS, starring a stellar line-up of UK talent including Bill Nighy, James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie and Ashley Jensen.

From 5pm on Tuesday 8th November 2011, there will be fun and entertainment for all the family, culminating with the countdown to the all-important switch-on moment when the skies will be lit to herald the start of the Christmas season. Hosted by Jamie Theakston & Emma Bunton from London’s Heart 106.2, the full line-up of stars attending the event will be announced shortly.

After the event shoppers will be able walk the Mile of Style under a canopy of glittering lights whilst they seek out that special Christmas gift from the wide array of flagship stores along Regent Street, including Omega, Gant, Ferrari, Banana Republic, Armani Exchange, Anthropologie, Jaeger, Liberty, Apple and Michael Kors. Visitors can then extend the Christmas cheer in one of the many restaurants and bars on offer and even enjoy a cocktail with a roof top view of the lights at Aqua.

Released on 11th November 2011, the 3D, CGI-animated family comedy Arthur Christmas, an Aardman production for Sony Pictures Animation, reveals the incredible, never-before-seen answer to every child’s question: “So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night?” The answer: Santa’s exhilarating, ultra-high-tech operation hidden beneath the North Pole. But at the heart of the film is a story with the ingredients of a Christmas classic – a family in a state of comic dysfunction and an unlikely hero: Santa’s youngest son, Arthur. When this amazing operation misses one child out of hundreds of millions, the least capable Claus embarks on a hilariously exciting rogue mission against the clock to deliver the last present before Christmas morning dawns.

Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation present an Aardman production, Arthur Christmas. Starring; James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, and Ashley Jensen. Directed by Sarah Smith. Produced by; Peter Lord, David Sproxton, Carla Shelley and Steve Pegram. Written by; Peter Baynham & Sarah Smith.

David Shaw, Head of Regent Street Portfolio at The Crown Estate, said: “With Sony Pictures and Aardman as our partner celebrating the release of Arthur Christmas, Regent Street’s Christmas lights switch-on this year will yet again signal the start of Christmas in the West End.”

ARTHUR CHRISTMAS will be released at cinemas nationwide by Sony Pictures Releasing on 11th November 2011

WHERE TO CELEBRATE THIS YEAR’S FESTIVE SEASON

Morgan M
Fine dining restaurant in Islington, offering fine dining French cuisine in stylish surroundings.
t. 020 7609 3560 www.morganm.com

Christmas Parties
Celebrate Christmas at Morgan M, where party menus will be served from 1st December, every day until Christmas Eve and will include a great value Christmas feast package, priced at £120 for two, comprising Christmas feats menus and a bottle of wine to share.

Galvin at Windows
Enjoy a fantastic view of the city from the 28th at Galvin at Windows restaurant bar.
t.020 7208 4021 www.galvinatwindows.com

Christmas Parties
Christmas Celebrations three-course menu will be served from 29th Nov to 30th December (excluding Christmas Day), priced at £65 per person.

Christmas Day
A Lunch menu offers five decadent courses and will be priced at £185 per person. It will also include a visit from Santa and a performance from a magician.

Indian Zing
Celebrate Christmas with an Indian twist this year at Indian Zing, Manoj Vasaikar’s acclaimed Indian restaurant in Hammersmith. t. 0208 748 5959 www.indianzing.co.uk

Christmas Parties and Christmas Lunch
Indian Zing will be open throughout the festive period, serving a special menu which will include some Anglo-Indian dishes and some more traditional Indian recipes, served at dinner from 16th to 24th December and on Christmas Day between 1pm and 4pm, priced at just £29 per person.

Chez Lindsay
Add a touch of traditional French taste to Christmas this year, celebrating at Chez Lindsay in Richmond, famous for its Breton crepes and galettes. t. 020 8948 7473 www.chez-lindsay.co.uk

Christmas Parties
Arrange a private Christmas Party on the first floor at Chez Lindsay where the festive menu will be served from Wednesday 1st December. The full à la carte and lunch prix fixe menu will be available throughout the month.

Menu highlights include Roulade de Dinde: roulade of turkey with cider cream sauce, chipolata, and caramelised chestnuts and also Crêpe à l`Anglaise, Chez Lindsay’s famous pancake with mincemeat and brandy butter.
Chez Lindsay will be open every day in December except Christmas Day.

El Camion
Celebrate this year’s Christmas at El Camion Mexicano, a fresh Mexican grill, with influences from Baja California, located in Soho at 29-27 Brewer Street.
t. 0207 734 7711 www.elcamion.co.uk

Cristmas Parties
El Camion will be hosting a range of Christmas parties, from a stylish sit down meal to a lively Margarita party. Parties can be held in the ground floor dining room or basement “Baja Room” bar.

Mori
Give this Christmas an oriental twist ordering delicious fresh Asian food for your party from Mori, an healthy Asian eatery based in Marylebone High Street, London. T. 0207 586 0560 www.mori.uk.com

Christmas Parties
On time for this festive season, Mori is arranging extensive deliveries in all central London area to provide a selection of sushi, bento boxes, salads and soups to your Christmas parties.
From offices, parties venues or homes, call Mori for delivery and you will be having healthy delicious Asian food ready to your door to cater your Christmas party.

The Castle at Taunton
Surrounded by stunning Somerset countryside, this fine hotel is a perfect get away this Christmas. t. 01823 272 671 www.the-castle-hotel.com

Christmas Day
The Christmas Break package will include a sparkling Christmas Eve with carols and a champagne reception, followed by a set dinner served at The Castle award winning restaurant.
Christmas lunch (with more champagne) follows a leisurely breakfast.

Boxing Day
Enjoy a fantastic Jazz lunch and in the evening a two course pre-theatre dinner before being transported to the Brewhouse Theatre to enjoy their Christmas show.

Two and three night packages available, priced from £499 per person. Non-Residential tickets for Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day lunch and Boxing Day lunch will be priced from £59 per person.

Festive Feasts With The Family Still Tops

Survey reveals traditional foods continue to be integral in Yuletide celebrations

The UK’s appetite for old-fashioned family values round the Christmas dining table is as strong as ever according to research carried out by insurer Congregational & General to support the launch of its fundraising cookbook, Loaves, fishes and more.

Nearly three quarters (74 per cent) of respondents stated it is still important to celebrate traditional or religious festivals – including Christmas – with friends and family. Then, when asked to rate the importance of food synonymous to these events, 81 per cent regarded Christmas dinner as the most significant meal of the year.

Aside from the traditional festive favourite – roast turkey – there continues to be a tremendous taste for traditional Yuletide fare. Coming out tops were Christmas puddings (35 per cent) followed by mince pies (24 per cent), whilst the humble ‘love them or hate them’ Brussels sprouts made up the top three (13 per cent).

However, the survey suggests that despite traditional food items like Christmas puddings remaining popular with older people, their popularity with younger generations could be declining – twice as many over 65s (52 per cent) compared to the 18-24 age group (26 per cent) classified the puddings as the festival’s most iconic food.

Margaret Slater, Marketing Manager at Congregational & General, said: “Christmas and eating go hand in hand and we thought it would be interesting to gauge whether people’s opinions of traditional food has changed over the years, or indeed across generations.

“Despite many people living busier and more independently these days, the survey clearly shows that when it comes to festive celebrations, people still love to get together with their families and pull a cracker with Granny or enjoy a mince pie with Mum and Dad.”

The survey commissioned to coincide with the launch of the insurer’s fundraising church cookbook, Loaves, fishes and more, also assessed people’s attitudes towards the use of cookbooks in their own cooking.

“Produced on a purely not-for-profit basis to raise funds for worthy causes and with Christmas just round the corner it will make an ideal gift for all home cooks.

Margaret continued: “It was interesting to find that nearly 90 per cent of respondents owned at least one cookbook, whilst around a quarter (24 per cent) actually had more than ten in their kitchen – demonstrating the popularity for using other cook’s recipes, whether they are professional chefs or fellow amateurs.”

The findings also revealed that men aren’t just restricted to ‘off-the-cuff’ summer barbeque cooking. 27 per cent of those surveyed were nearly twice as likely as women (16 per cent) to use a cookbook when cooking for themselves, showing their enthusiasm for a more formulaic method of cookery.

Loaves, fishes and more is a unique 128-page fundraising cookbook devised by insurer Congregational & General and endorsed by celebrity chef Kevin Woodford, features over 70 delicious recipes ranging from a traditional game pie to Spanish style fish stew and a delicious citrus tart.

Available now from independent booksellers and high street bookshops including Waterstones, it is the first publication of its kind involving some of the UK’s key church leaders. For every book sold a donation is made to Christian Aid.

Discounts are available to churches and charity groups wishing to sell the book for their own fundraising. Prices are available upon quotation. For more details, please visit www.loavesfishesandmore.com or call 01274 700762 (Monday-Friday 9.00am- 4.45pm)

Research was carried out in October 2009 by YourSayPays, a research panel operated by The Leadership Factor. A national sample of 1,000 people were polled.

Spill-prevention, storage problems and cooking en masse all solved in this video

Whether you’re a veteran of many family feasts or a festive dinner newbie who is cooking a turkey for the first time – the Christmas meal is a daunting prospect. After all, it’s not just one day, Christmas can last for weeks, as your friends and family pop over for drinks and a bite to eat. The holiday season, should be just that a holiday, but it seems the never ending cooking, cleaning and hosting parties can mean that you get no rest at all.

In this video feature we look at some easy ways to help your Christmas run smoothly, with no effort at all. If you want to know how to avoid food storage problems or how to remove tricky stains from the nice new tablecloth or your specially-chosen silk dress or simply need advice on how to tackle the cooking then you’ve come to the right place as our Miele domestic goddess Alicia Dee with tips to ensure your Christmas day is a success, be it your first time or your fiftieth.

Sack the socks and ditch the dodgy aftershave…why not give your man a gift he’ll really enjoy this Christmas with Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer?

Made from a secret blend of fresh, fiery ginger and exotic spices, this refreshing tipple is the perfect addition to any festive gift guide. Warming, hearty, and served in a traditional brown glass bottle, it’s sure to make a welcome stocking filler for all thirsty fellas.

So whether you’re surprising a sweetheart or wrapping it up for dad, Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer is one Christmas gift he’ll really thank you for. And at just 4% ABV, Crabbie’s is ideal for Christmas lunches and hearty family dinners too. Ideally served over ice with a slice of lemon, the unique ingredients and warming flavours of Crabbie’s can be enjoyed when raising a glass with friends at the local or relaxing at home watching Christmas TV.

Drawing from a unique heritage dating back to 1801, when Crabbie’s was originally produced as a ginger wine in the Scottish port of Leith. Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer is brewed for eight weeks to produce its deep, deliciously unique flavour.

You can find Crabbie’s from leading retailers including Morrison’s, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose from £1.99 and in all good leading pubs and restaurants.

For further information about Crabbie’s, visit www.crabbiesgingerbeer.co.uk

A dram of wisdom from a whisky expert for Christmas food and drink combination’s

We all know that champagne sets off canapés perfectly, and that white wine and fish is the perfect partnership, but how many of us know what foods should be consumed with Whisky?

Made from malted barley, water and yeast, single malt whiskies like The Balvenie have long been drunk in the festive season. But it’s not just an after-dinner drink – whisky complements starters, main courses and desserts equally well, as long as you pair it up correctly.

Different aged whiskies work better with some dishes than others and in the video below our guests explain how to get the best out of a whisky during all courses, from a smoked-salmon starter to the after-dinner chocolates. How much water, if any, should you add to your glass? What do the aromas tell you about the whisky, and how can they enhance the flavour of food?

In the following video, The Balvenie whisky expert Andrew Forrester guides you through the best dishes to pair various whiskies with, ensuring that the enjoyment of your Christmas dram doesn’t have to begin once the meal is over.

Watch this video with Anthea Turner for some inspiration this Christmas

As many a chef knows, Christmas is not just one day every year – the festive season lasts a fortnight with people coming over in the lead up to Christmas, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, forcing you to keep variety in mind when it comes to planning your meals and serving food to your guests.

A different choice in meat can make all the difference – you want to entice your friends and family with something new and exciting. So why not choose Quality Standard Gammon. It is a popular meat for the festive period, not least because it’s incredibly versatile and so easy to cook. It is available in a variety of glazes, smokes or cures which all go to make a delicious roast. But equally it is also great when used to create a variety of tasty meals which means you can offer something to please everyone’s taste buds.

In the following video, TV presenter Anthea Turner shows you how to prepare a simple clementine relish with ginger beer-basted gammon, as well as delicious left-over dishes such as Ham Thai green broth or Gammon, Cranberry and Chestnut Tart that will continue to surprise your guests throughout the festive season.

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31 December 2009

This New Year’s Eve celebrate a black tie Masquerade Ball on the Fifth Floor. The evening commences with Champagne reception in the newly refurbished Fifth Floor Champagne Bar, followed by a specially selected three course menu with matching wines by Executive Chef Jonas Karlsson in the Fifth Floor Restaurant. Dancing and live music follow ’til late in the Fifth Floor Café.

Tickets are priced at £100 per person. Book early to avoid disappointment. For more information and bookings, please contact the Events co-ordinator Novella on 0207 201 8786 or email novella.alessandrini@harveynichols.com