2020 COCKTAIL SNACKS & BUFFETS

At last....Happy New Year!

MUCH OF THIS INFORMATION HAS APPEARED ELSEWHERE

We're heading into the home stretch as far as entertaining goes.  Just New Year's Eve and Day...and it's into abstemious January.  

For the moment, the focus in most households is on easy prep, make-ahead canapés using up leftovers...oh, and, really delicious and appetising offerings which everyone will enjoy in the final days of the holiday.

If you're actually producing a meal before or  on New Years Day, keep it light.  One or two slices of a meaty main course accompanied by lots of salads: raw and cooked vegetables, punchy dressings preferably low in fat, a choice of several different types of money-saving potato salads.  Lots of rolls and bread, lots of cheeses and cold cuts, lots of pickles, chutneys, spreads.  And a few last-festive-meal spectacular creamy desserts plus plenty of fruity offerings.  

Whatever you do, spread the burden.  Get the family involved.  

But enjoy the last few days before heading back to the usual routine.

Happy New Year!

NEW FROM 2020

Sausage, Onion & Dijon-Maple Mini Yorkshires: vegetarians & carnivores

Double Salmon Pate on Cucumber Slices: brilliant combo of creamy & crunchy

Levant Lamb Mini-Skewers & Tahini Mint Dip: British lamb but not as we know it

SIMPLE EASY STARTERS

EGG NOG TRUFFLES: sensational; quick & easy but oh-so indulgent

Gorgeous companions to Eggnog or Irish coffee...

updated 14 Dec 2021

Unforgettable, amazing mouthfuls of wonderfulness!

These egg-nog truffles* are the perfect treat after Christmas dinner.  OR for singletons stuck alone at home on Christmas Eve nursing a 'damn it; I'm going to treat myself' indulgence with Irish Coffee or Eggnog or thick steaming hot chocolate.

The recipe is simplicity itself, especially if you already have 67's home-made Egg Nog on hand. If not, just make sure the egg nog you do have does not contain raw eggs. 

For the white chocolate, 67 splurged on Belgium white chocolate buttons** but any supermarket white baking chocolate is fine,

During 67's first trial, the results - though fabulously creamy, boozy and melt-in-the-mouth - were fragile and softened very quickly.  Attempts to coat the truffles in chocolate were a disaster.  So, in the end, the truffle base was cut into small squares and served along with the shards.  If using this method, keep the truffles as cold as you can before serving and offer plenty of serviettes.

This year, the truffles are being made in advance and frozen, then coated in chocolate half an hour before serving. 

Cost: £3'ish
Serves: 24 pieces (doubles easily)

Ingredients: 

113gm/4 oz softened butter

119gm/4.2oz white baking chocolate (not white chocolate bars)

90ml eggnog

1.5 tablespoons bourbon, rum, brandy or whiskey OR a non-alcohol cordial or white grape juice (opt)

1 teaspoon vanilla (or, for a change, essence of caramel***)

   

Topping:

   100gm/7 oz white or dark baker's chocolate melted 

   a few tablespoons of coconut or finely chopped nuts

   

Method:

EGG NOG: BIG Indulgence

Egg Nog - the boozy, creamy, eggy, sweet North American staple - makes an appearance annually at Canadian Christmases...

Creamy, boozy festive Eggnog with Sophisticated Coffee Butter Cookies

...and is one of the Blogger's favourite alcoholic drinks -- and there aren't many.  Though it's been years since I've imbibed - the English aren't really into it and it has a great deal (!) of cream - this year, it's firmly on the festive menu.

We need cheering up, and a glass of Egg Nog of an evening as Christmas creeps closer is one of the best ways 67 can offer.  (Also, dairy products are back on the blogger's menu due to a Vitamin D deficiency requiring supplements and increased intake of foods high in Vitamin D) 

The recipe offers both liquid and solid forms of egg nog: the rich, eggy, creamy boozy drink* tempered by the warm sweetness of nutmeg AND the white truffle candy (elsewhere in this post)** made with egg nog and/or coffee.  

67's opted to make egg nog from scratch - it's not hard - but heated the mix for maximum safety.  (Some egg nogs contain raw eggs; always check.) A little more time is involved but the result is truly awesome.  And it makes for an easier mind if older folk are imbibing.

There is no way around the heavy cream content unless you have tried and liked plant creams but 67 didn't want to risk it this time with booze involved.  Still, there is no reason why this recipe wouldn't work with plant milks. 

Traditional recipes include bourbon; 67's kitchen didn't have any and subbed in brandy.

Cost: £4'ish

Makes: 1 litre

Ingredients:

3 egg yolks

50gm/1.7oz sugar

300ml whole milk 

200ml double/heavy cream

 

1 teaspoon nutmeg, fresh if possible 

150ml bourbon or rum  

Method:

SOPHISTICATED MOCHA BUTTER COOKIES: easy-peasy but not kid-friendly

Cookies created for an adult palate; richly chocolate with deep, dark overtones of coffee...

Simple, unadorned but sophisticated flavours

67 prefers them plain or decorated with just a little high-cocoa content white chocolate.  

They need to be appreciated for what they are: crisp, richly textured and elegant layered flavours.

They're not for kids so it's probably wise to have something similar but sweet for them.  Try Bottom of the Barrel Shortbread, replacing 20gm/3/4oz of the flour with cocoa.

Cost: £1.50'ish

Makes: 12-16

Ingreds:

113gm/oz unsalted butter

25gm icing sugar

20gm/4/5oz granulated sugar

1/4 tsp kosher salt

25 gm/1oz unsweetened cocoa

1/2tsp instant coffee mixed with 1/2 tsp hot water

122gm/4.3oz flour

Method:

VEGAN RED WINE GRAVY: unusually rich & luxurious

 Another Vegetarian Gravy from 67goingon50, this one rich with red wine...

Red wine and lentils give the gravy the 'amazing, really unusual' qualities.

67's Classic Vegetarian Gravy (with vegan option) has become a favourite over recent years as Christmas cooks balance carnivore and vegetarian/vegan appetites.

This year, a vegetarian red wine gravy was on the menu to go with the bosky, savoury Christmas main course Festive Vegetarian Pate & Mushroom Dome.

67 is not a great fan of red wine and it was not easy finding a balance between classic gravy flavour and red wine.  After several attempts,   the result was rather wonderful though a decent wine is obviously a pre-requisite.  The blog's tasters - two mature middle-aged men who are definitely not teetotallers - loved it. 

Cost:£3'ish, depending on what's in the wine store

Serves: a decent amount

Ingredients:

1 med red onion, finely chopped, or equivalent fodmap friendly scallions, green tops only

1 peeled celery stick, well cleaned, peeled & finely chopped

1 tbsp olive oil

1-2 whole baked garlic cloves (opt); baked garlic seems to be more fodmap friendly and can be removed at the end of cooking

125ml red wine (vegan wine for vegans)

35 gm red lentils, washed, soaked in boiling water 30 mins & drained

1 tbsp vegetarian stock granules

350 ml water or stock

1/2-1 tb Dijon or Wholegrain mustard

1 tbsp cranberry sauce

shot of brandy or whiskey

zest of half a large orange

1 tsp dried rosemary

1 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives  

Method:

FESTIVE VEGETARIAN PATE & MUSHROOM DOME; Vegetarian indulgence with vegan options

Rich,warming scrumptious vegetarian Christmas pie but still lower-fat and wholesome...includes Vegetarian Red Wine Gravy

 Vegetarian Pate & Mushroom Pie, with option for Vegetarian Red Wine Gravy

'Fantastic! Meat eaters would not be disappointed. The Gravy was unusual and amazing.' Tasters

This rich delectable meat-free pie is perfect for the Christmas table.  It offers two layers of fabulousness - a crunchy terrine of toasted walnuts and onions, topped with exotic and chestnut mushrooms sautéed in brandy.  

Supermarket puff or shortcrust pastry envelopes the duo, and the whole is topped off with lashings of vegetarian gravy with red wine.   

It will go perfectly with the usual elements of Christmas dinner dinner - roasties, sprouts and cranberry sauce.

A culinary jewel like this does not come simply and indeed, involves three stages  stretched over a couple of days at most.  The steps however are simple and easily completed.  

Cost: without Red Wine Gravy but incl 1 sheet all-butter pastry £7'ish

Feeds: 3-4

START THIS RECIPE A DAY AHEAD

Ingredients/Method for each stage:  

Stage 1: Vegetarian Pate

1 cups pecans or walnuts (nb nut pieces are cheaper than whole halves) 

1 boiled egg, cooked as below (opt)

1 cup raw yellow onion in small dice

          1/2 tb each olive oil and butter OR 1 tb oil 

1/2 tb soy sauce

1/4 tsp cider or white vinegar

1 med cloves garlic, grated

1/2 tb olive or sesame oil, or half and half

2-4 tbsp oatmeal 

1/4 tsp dried sage

          1/8 tsp mace (opt)

           1/8 tsp sumac or zest of a lemon

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

          scant tablespoon stock (granules are fine)

       1 tbsp fresh parsley, coarsely chopped

          1 tablespoons wholegrain mustard (sweeter) OR Dijon mustard

          generous tablespoon cranberry sauce (your own or store-bought) 

       1/3 cup fine breadcrumbs (you might not use all of them)

Method:

LIGHT GINGERBREAD SHEET CAKE WITH BLUEBERRIES & GINGER: Indulgence, cake is butter-free, dairy-free option

Love the flavour of gingerbread but not sure about conventional sticky heavy gingerbread cakes? 

Light gingerbread cake with cream cheese icing, blueberries & candied ginger
'the yummiest you've ever made!' '...so delicious, I ate it all in one go!' Tasters

Try this delectable new cake from 67goingon50*.  It's full of the flavours of dark sugar and molasses, with layers of gorgeous spices.  Frosted with fluffy cream cheese icing and studded with fresh blueberries and candied ginger, the cake is sure to please a crowd.

67's gingerbread cake is not as intense as a normal gingerbread; the texture is fluffier, finer crumbed and less sticky. There is an option for more spice.  But, just as it is, the cake is light and refreshing -- like an oasis among the many rich and densely flavoured items on offer during the festive season or at Halloween. 

The recipe makes a great deal of batter - enough for a three-tier cake.  67 recommends removing 2/3 cup of the batter for cupcakes (to keep the kids happy while the finished product sits in the fridge awaiting guests.)  

The cake does cost a little more than a standard cake but it is for a crowd.

Offer different sized portions for all appetites
 

Cost: min £5'ish, depending on the cupboard

Makes: up to 30 small portions

Ingredients: 

150 ml full fat milk OR plant milk like almond

4 tablespoons black treacle

  

375 gm/13.2 oz plain flour (or 67's choice 275gm white +100gm self-raising  brown flour)

3 teaspoons baking powder

1.5 teaspoons baking soda

275gm/9.7oz light brown sugar

          100gm/3.5 muscovado (black) sugar 

min 1.5-max 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

          2 tsp grated ginger (opt)

min 1-max 2 tsp ground ginger

min 1/4-max 1/2 tsp cloves

          min 1/4-max 1/2 tsp nutmeg (opt)

 

225 ml vegetable oil

300 ml buttermilk OR plant yoghurt thinned with water to the consistecy of buttermilk

Three large eggs, slightly beaten

3 tablespoons rum/brandy (opt)

1.5  teaspoons vanilla

          2 tablespoons syrup from jar of ginger in syrup 

 

Icing 

125 gm/4.4oz slightly salted dairy or planht butter 

300 gm/10.5oz icing sugar

150 gm/5.2oz full fat cream cheese OR vegan cream cheese

1 tsp caramel (or vanilla) extract 

2 generous handfuls blueberries

          2-3 balls of candied ginger from syrup in small pieces 

      

Method:

CREAMY PINEAPPLE PUDDING (opt for multiple layers), frugal, lower-fat, easy-peasy

Simple fresh fruit dessert with creamy topping and knockout glaze ups the 'Wow!' factor'...

                                                                      first posted 2000; updated 12/24

Frugal, lower fat, easy dessert that tastes like a million pounds!

Don't think you can afford a luxury dessert this Christmas? Think again.

Creamy Pineapple Pudding is gloriously velvety with an unexpected smoky glaze;   fruitlets of pineapple add ginger undertones and sweet Christmassy warmth.  

You only need a few ingredients: fresh pineapple (or tinned, if you must), thick dairy or plant yoghurt, a bit of orange juice, a little fresh ginger and black (or brown) sugar. (You can, if you like, replace pineapple with berries or bananas; see Tips below)

Tinned pineapple in juice, not syrup, and dried ginger will be okay in a pinch.

67 used one of the inexpensive ripen-at-home pineapples found in many supermarkets, costing £1'ish (12/24). They have to be peeled and baked but simple instructions are here.  

(Supersweet, ready-to-eat, top of the line pineapples are around £3.)

O-fat Greek yoghurt doesn't normally break the bank but if you're really skint, a cheap-as-chips tub of plain unsweetened yoghurt OR a plant yoghurt strained overnight in a sieve lined with a clean j-cloth, will achieve the right consistency and sweet tang. 

(See how at the bottom of the page Salad Dressings).

Cost: £2.50'ish, depending on cost of pineapple

Feeds: 3-6

Ingredients:

3/4 medium pineapple

zest & juice of 1 orange

1 generous teaspoon peeled, grated ginger

1 scant tablespoon muscavado/black sugar

500gm thick unsweetened plain dairy or plant yoghurt

1 tablespoon muscovado sugar per pudding

Method:

FESTIVE FISH PIE WITH WHITE WINE SAUCE

An alternative - or supplementary - Christmas main course...Luxury Fish Pie

Festive Fish Pie with Lettuce Wedges & Thousand Island Dressing
'Lovely & creamy; the wine makes it very festive.'

Whether you splurge on fresh fish or opt for supermarket frozen mixed fish, this gorgeous fish pie will please guests at any festive table. 

It's the sauce that makes the pie so lovely  - enlivened with white wine and unctuous with dairy or vegan cream. 

67 loves the pie's versatility -- it can be topped with a snow-like layer of mashed potatoes, puff pastry (home-made or store bought) or (pictured) golden croutons, crispy & crunchy, one side bathed in white wine sauce.

Cost: min £6.50'ish

Feeds: 2-4

Ingredients:

White Wine Sauce

30gm/1 generous oz butter or half butter/half olive oil or vegan butter

1 med onion finely diced or equivalent thinly sliced green of scallions

2 cloves garlic, grated (opt)

1/2 small fennel (or 2 sticks peeled well-washed celery), in small dice 

3 tb flour

2 tb Dijon mustard

1/2 cup good stock (fresh pref but granules are fine)

1 generous glass white wine

250ml dairy or vegan single cream

2 tb coarsely chopped parsley

1 tb coarsely chopped dill (opt)

450gm/15.8oz mixed fish: cod, haddock, salmon in large bite sized pieces

generous handful shrimp (opt)

1.5 tsp lemon zest

1.5 tbsp lemon juice

Croutons:

225gm/8oz stale sourdough or other bread, in 1.5 inch cubes

2 tb good olive oil

Method:

EASY CHRISTMAS DINNER: prep ahead; one-stop, indulgence, beginners

Delightful meal that cooks itself on Christmas Day... 

Lightly spiced roast chicken; baked white & sweet potatoes; mixed veg  
 Extras: pineapple dessert & pull-apart fan rolls 

A tender, moist delicately spiced chicken baked with all the trimmings at the same time, in the same oven, won't disappoint on Christmas Day...and leaves Cook relaxed and satisfied.

Choose one of two flavours - rich Smoked Paprika and Orange or exotic 5-Spice & Orange - the citrus overtones accentuate festivities.  They're both subtle - neither gets in your face - and will be suitable for the very young or the very old.  

The one-stop operation is made very easy and simple on the day by preparing everything in advance.  Get it right and all you'll have to do is turn on the oven, keep track of timings and baste the bird occasionally.

Add-ons like Pineapple pudding with Black Sugar Glaze and Pull-Apart Sour Cream Fan Rolls can be made and completed two days before (though angst can be avoided by making the rolls a week or so ahead and frozen - see below).  

As always, choose the best chicken you can afford but whatever you choose, spice rubs enhance flavour.  67 made this with a higher welfare chicken (£7'ish - 11/2022) and an organic chicken (£20'ish - 11/2202) - both terrific.

Cost: depends on ingredients - say, £7-£20 (Nov 2022)

Feeds: 4-6

Ingredients:

One good-sized raw chicken

EITHER:

Smoked Paprika Orange Butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

40gm/1.5oz softened butter 

1 teaspoon garlic powder or three medium cloves garlic minced

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Zest and wedges from 1 medium oranges

           

Paprika Glaze 

2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup

2 tablespoons orange juice

OR

5-Spice Hoisin Butter:

40gm/1.5oz softened butter 

1/2 teaspoon salt

1-2 tsp five spice powder 

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or two medium cloves garlic
1/2 tablespoon freshly grated  peeled ginger

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Zest and 1-2 membrane-free segments from 1 Orange

   

Five spice glaze:

2 tablespoon hoisin sauce 

2 tablespoon orange juice

TURKEY-FREE CHRISTMAS DINNERS

STOCK PHOTO: JO COOKS 

This year, many households are opting to forgo turkey, mostly because of the limited size of gatherings ...

67's won't be one of them.  Turkey wherever the Blogger is, is traditional and much-loved.  And while the Christmas table may not hold a full-sized turkey, some kind of turkey joint - leg or wing - will be served in all its glory.

The usual alternative to the Big Bird is Chicken but guinea fowl and capon are also served.  Or offer the usual pork, beef, lamb and fish dishes as well as vegetarian or vegan delights.

If the household still has a hankering for turkey but the budget is tight, keep your eye out for frozen turkeys.  They can be good value but do need time - a lot of time, sometimes a couple of days - to defrost.  Try soaking it overnight in water to help along the process.  Place the bird in a sealed waterproof bag and the bag in a preferably new clean bin filled with water; store in a cool place (garage - watch out for thieves! - utility or storage room).  

Some market stalls sell turkey wings and legs but they go very fast.

Whatever you choose for your festive meal/s, buy the best you can afford.  If organic is out of the question, some higher welfare meats are a good third cheaper than organic.  Even common-all-garden supermarket meat is good value, and presented in a non-traditional way, provides an attractive crowd-pleaser for the table.  

Some ideas below:

 

CHICKEN

Corn-fed birds are a great alternative to organic and cost about half the price.  

This week's post - Easy Christmas Dinner - offers a choice of two rubs, one rich with paprika and orange, the other with orange, 5-spice  and hoisin.  Either steeps any chicken with rich flavour.

Also try: 

SPROUT LATKES: vegetarian & gluten free. opt., budget friendly, high fibre; opt for other veg

These stonkingly delicious sprout latkes are a worthy addition to any table during the festive season...

first posted 2020; updated 12/24

Novel but unbelievable tasty sprout recipe with balsmamic sauce
'Amazing.' Taster 

Yes, you read that right: SPROUT latkes.  Super crisp but with centres not unlike  mashed potatoes flecked with something green but unidentifiably good (and good for you), they are topped with a slightly sweet balsamic cream.  

Gorg-eous! 

They will be scoffed up very happily, even by sprout-haters.  And you might be able to get away without mentioning sprouts at all.

Sprout latkes require only a few ingredients so won't bust the budget. They also can be easily made non-gluten by replacing common wheat with chickpea flour or even rice flour. 

The Sprout Latkes will make an unusual side at Christmas dinner but in other circumstances could be a vegetarian centrepiece.

The recipe comes from young American blogger Molly Yeh* whose food is an amalgam of her Chinese and Jewish heritage.  

Vegans can replace egg whites with flax eggs and use dairy free sour cream/yoghurt but 67 has not tested this variation.  

Cost:  £1.75'ish (12/24)

Serves: 7-8 but recipe multiplies easily

Ingredients:

juice from 1/4 lemon

2 large egg whites

127gm/4.5oz finely shredded sprouts

1 med onion, in small dice OR 5-6 green onions, leaves only, finely sliced

min 1-max 2 big pinches salt, generous crack of pepper

1/4 cup common wheat, spelt, chickpea or rice flour, or a combination

           Vegetable oil for frying 

Sour Cream Balsamic Sauce

1/2 cup dairy or vegan sour cream or 0-fat Greek yoghurt,

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey

2 teaspoons Balsamic Vinegar

Method:

FESTIVE FAN ROLLS: Special Occasion Indulgence, prep ahead

Attractive pull-apart fan rolls are soft and rich -- an asset on the Christmas table. 

Sour Cream adds richness & tenderness to a yeasted roll
'So soft inside they melt in the mouth. The butter...!' 

This Canadian recipe* uses sour cream and yeast to produce a rich but light bread roll which pulls apart into buttery layers. 

The fan rolls look pretty, are soft and delicate inside a crusty exterior and a joy to eat. 

The recipe is not complicated but involves a few easy steps and a bit of kneading.  

They can be ready in a few hours start to finish.  But if you're pressed for time, start the day before, refrigerating the dough after the first rise.  Wait until the morning of serving before shaping the dough into fans; otherwise the rolls lose their definition.

Obviously, making them on Christmas Day morning is not a good idea.  But they can be made ahead and frozen.  If they go into the freezer within 2-3 hours of being baked, they'll be like fresh after defrosting.  Warm them up in a medium oven 5-10 mins.

Making them is a terrific family project when everyone is sheltering inside against the grey, windy and wet.  Older kids will love forming the fans. 

The amounts given here are for a small household but multiplies easily.

Note: the blogger is working on a dairy-free version;watch this space

Cost: £3.50'ish (12/24)

Makes: 18-20   

Ingreds:

   250gm/8.8oz plain flour, divided 

   50gm/1.7oz sugar

   1 tablespoon instant yeast

   2/3 tsp salt  

   1/8 tsp baking powder 

   250gm/8oz sour cream

   120ml water  

   40gm1.4oz butter

  

   1 large slightly beaten egg 

   125gm/4.4oz plain flour

   up to another 125gm/4.4oz plain flour

   1-2 tbsp orange butter (see below), melted

Method:

LETTUCE WEDGES WITH LOWER-FAT THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING: easy-peasy, frugal

Simple crisp lettuce dolloped with chunky dressing is a refreshing counterweight to festive dishes...

Quick, easy and absolutely more-ish Dressed Lettuce Wedges
'Never been a fan of lettuce until this.'  'Lower-fat Thousand Island 
dressing was a revelation' Tasters

Festive meals need a raw side dish, just to break up the intensity of yummy rich foods.

Here's a very simple, refreshing salad which looks good on the table and pleases even the fussiest of eaters.  

67 was inspired by Food Network's Pioneer Woman when under time pressure but was delighted by the result.  Iceberg lettuce is not one of 67's favourite greens but the home-made lower-fat dressing chock-a-bloc with goodies, made it an ever-so-delicious treat. 

Given its relatively low price and general availability, iceberg will appear more frequently after this.

Cost: less than a pound

Feeds: 3-4 but recipe multiplies easily.

Ingredients:

   2-3 wedges of lettuce, still attached at the base

   4 tablespoons 0-fat Greek yoghurt

   2 tablespoons mayonnaise

   1-2 tablespoons tomato puree (or in a pinch, tomato ketchup)

   generous 1 inch cucumber, peeled, deseeded, in fine dice

   1/2 small tomato, de-seeded and without membranes, in 
fine dice

   1/2 hard-boiled egg, in fine dice (opt)

   1 small pickle, in fine dice (opt)

   

   salt & pepper

   few sprigs parsley or chives or celery fronts for garnish

Method:

1. Set aside some tomatoes, cucumber, egg & pickle if using for garnish
2. Mix yoghurt, mayonnaise and tomato puree; combine with other ingredients
3. Taste; season
4. Drape generously over wedges; garnish
5. Arrange nicely on a platter

Comments:

'I have never been a fan of lettuce in any form but this was unlike any I've had before and I really did like it.' Carer to retired priest

'The home-made lower-fat Thousand Island Dressing was fabulous and so easy to make.' Retired writer

   

Please leave a Comment in the box below

This recipe has been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.

MINI SAUSAGE & ONION YORKSHIRES: vegetarian with carnivore & kids' options, lower-fat

Check out Welcome to the Blog on the Nav Bar (above) for Christmas recipes from 2015 to 2019

A festive twist on the same-old, same-old sausage roll... 

Mini-Yorkshires with sausage & caramelised onion & Dijon Maple Dip

'10/10! Really well done.' 'Gorgeous combo of textures and flavours.' Tasters

It's not easy thinking up variations on Christmas favourites -- pleasing the family without going too far from the original is a must.  

67goingon50's Mini-Sausage & Onion Yorkshires really fit the bill.  The combination of crispy-soft Yorkshires stuffed with sausage slices on caramelised onion and mustard-maple-syrup sauce was a real winner.  It's a gorgeous amalgam of textures and flavours that really suits the festive season.

Vegetarian sausages* were used for the photo for health reasons.  Regular sausages will be absolutely fine but choose high-meat choices like wild boar or chicken with apricot*.  The recipe for mini-Yorkshires makes more than you need so there would be no problem in serving both types at the same table.  

67 chose small Yorkshire puddings because they were part of a mixed platter.  But large Yorkshires could be plated up singly with a bit of greenery for a sit-down first course.  

67 made mini-Yorkshires from scratch - it's cheaper.  The batter keeps in the fridge a few days and can make an appearance at the Breakfast table later, stuffed with with jam or baked beans.  Use your own Yorkshire recipe or buy ready-made.

This is mainly an assembly job.  There are a few steps involved but they're easy.  All can be made in advance.  

Cost: £2'ish

Makes: a dozen mini sausage Yorkshires (recipe multiplies easily)

Ingreds:

    3 sausages, vegetarian or meat

    2 medium purple or yellow onions OR shallots or equiv fodmap friendly fennel see tips below

    1 generous tsp olive oil

    1 generous tsp dairy/plant butter

    pinch of sugar

    small slosh  balsamic vinegar (opt)

 

 Yorkshire Batter

    2 large egg (50g/1.5oz) 
    75gm/2.6oz flour (1cup +2 tbsp) 
    87gm/3oz almond or dairy milk 
    12.5gm water, not milk  
    1/4 tsp salt

Maple-Dijon Sauce

    60% Dijon mustard

    40% Maple Syrup (or honey)

(Children will probably be happier with a 50-50 mix)   

Method:

MINI LAMB BITES, a la the Souk: lower-fat, easy, make ahead

Unusual Christmas starter: tender succulent slices of lamb with tahini-mint dressing...

Mini Lamb Bites: unusual flavours for Christmas but festive all the same
'10/10! Very tender; very tasty dressing.' 

But they are so tasty they'll be popular for years to come.

Right now, Morrisons has a special on British lamb - £2 per kilo off most cuts - and that'll help the budget.

67goingon50's new recipes is suitable for a range of cuts of lamb and you don't need a great deal of meat.  67 chose economy filet of lamb shoulder but if pockets are deep, lamb steaks require less marinading time.  For a special treat, lamb cutlets will please and are a luxurious easy-to-eat treat.  

Filet of lamb shoulder, if not treated carefully, can be tough or fatty but the marinade tenderises the meat and 'wet' roasting releases much of the fat without  drying out meat juices.  

Cost: £3.50 for shoulder filet

Makes: 2-3 sit-down plates or a small buffet (Recipe multiplies easily)

 Ingred:

250gm/8.8oz lean lamb shoulder filet 

  

Marinade 

2 tbsp brandy/wine/grape juiceMa

zest of half a lime (or lemon  

2 tbsp lime juice +zest of a lime (or lemon)

           1/2-1 tsp sugar (opt)

2-3 tablespoons Middle Eastern Spice Mix or Za'atar

1/2 rounded tbsp Dijon or other mild mustar d 

Tahini Dressing:

Mini-platter of canapés
for a small household

   50gm/1.7oz thick 0-fat yoghurt

   1 generous tbsp mayonnaise
   1/2 tsp lemon juice or white wine vinegar
   1 small clove garlic, finely grated
   1/2 tbsp chopped fresh mint or 1/2 tsp dried  
   pepper & salt
   1/2 tbsp good tahini
   1/2 tsp toasted sesame seeds (opt)
   

Method: 

LUXURY DOUBLE SMOKED SALMON BITES: prep-ahead, wallet-friendly, good fibre

Smoked salmon is traditional at an English Christmas; these creamy little delights contain two types - cold and hot smoked... 

Simple but sensational cucumber cups with Double Salmon Pate
'So delicious; the pate melts in the mouth' 'Such a treat!'

Like many Christmas treats, this recipe can involve a splurge of spending or you can go the frugal route.

On this occasion 67 opted for a luscious velvet-like cream cheese from local deli Roni's* with price to match instead of Philadelphia.  The budget didn't, however,  extend to 67 favourite, Foreman's, smoked salmon.  The cold and hot smoked supermarket salmons which included a Taste Award winner were surprisingly good  substitutes.

The Double Salmon Pate is a doddle to make easy and can be prepared ahead. The cucumber slices are better done not long before serving.  

Cost: min. £4 (with enough leftover cream cheese & salmon for a 2nd batch)

Makes: about 16 bites but multiplies easily

Ingreds:

   150gm/5.2oz room-temperature very good cream cheese (beware: some supermarket own-brands can be watery) 

   

   50gm/1.7oz cold smoked salmon, chopped in small pieces

   

   3 tbsp finely diced fennel or celery or olives

   1 tbsp finely diced radish 

   lots of pepper and a little salt

   finely grated zest of 1 lime

   min 1/2 tbsp -max 1 tbsp lime juice, to taste

   2-3 dashes tabasco sauce (opt)

   

   50-75gm/1.7-2.6oz hot smoked salmon flakes

   1 large cucumber   

Method: