Advertisement
Treat yourself!
Got a question for Delia?
What's on at the football club?
Precious stones
Food and drink news
From books with festive appeal to drinks for the party season, we're revving up for Christmas on our latest food and drink news page. By Jo Hill.
Good Food 101 Christmas dishes
Still searching for festive feasts? If so, this great little book (a snip at £4.99) could hold the key, with creative recipes, party food and edible gifts from BBC Good Food magazine. My favourites include Marzipan Mince Pies, Brussels with Hazelnut and Orange Butter and Moroccan Spiced Pie, a filo pastry ensemble of veggie, nuts and spices.
Naturally good…
It’s great to find a snack that is actually good for you! riceworks wheat- and gluten-free Gourmet Brown Rice Chips (Sea Salt, Sesame Soy, Sweet Chilli, right, and Salsa Mexicana) are made from wholegrain rice and contain absolutely no preservatives or E numbers. Serve them with dips, enjoy on their own, or send some to school with the children with a clear conscience. £1.49 from Tesco and Waitrose.
A real tonic
Some lesser tonic water tastes bitter and artificial but this lovely version from Fever Tree has a crisp, clean, more rounded flavour, created by blending natural fruit sugars with Sicilian lemon extracts and soft spring water. What’s more it contains 45% fewer calories than the regular version – the perfect excuse for another g&t! Available from Waitrose and Majestic.
Mince pies for munching
Two of our favourite deep-filled mince pies are from Booths and Morrisons, both of which offer crumbly, all-butter pastry, a generous amount of fruit filling, good-quality brandy and port and no preservatives. Morrisons’ mini mince pies (right) also slipped down a treat – perfect with drinks or at parties!
Marvellous Muddler
Go on – you deserve a treat! These cocktails, made from 100% natural ingredients are really easy to drink (hic!) and crammed with berry fruits, pressed apple juice and golden rum. Unlike some fruit cocktails, they’re totally refreshing and not at all cloying or syrupy. Serve chilled over lots of ice.
Cookbook with a conscience
The Crisis Cook Book (£5) contains 84 recipes from 28 of the world’s finest chefs, plus wine essays from Jancis Robinson. All proceeds are in aid of the national homelessness charity, Crisis. From Heston Blumenthal’s Pot Roast Pork to Rick Stein’s Salmon en Croute with Tarragon Butter and Wilted Spinach, there’s plenty to get your teeth into.
What a waste!
Lovefoodhatewaste.com is a website that should make all of us sit up and think about the amount of food we throw away…and how this contributes to overproduction and climate change. The site gives sound advice on portion size and control, ideas for using leftovers and ways in which you can reduce your food waste, helping yourself and the environment.
A sparkling winner!
Griffith Park sparkling rose, available from Morrisons, recently made it into Effervescents du Monde's top 10 which featured some of champagne's better-known names. A snip at £4.99 (until 6 Jan; usually £6.49) it's a great aperitif or party wine. Probably the bargain of the season...
