The Festive Feast

The Festive Feast

The most wonderful time of the year - or so the song goes. For those who celebrate Christmas, it is, for better or worse, a focal point of the calendar. It’s an opportunity to pause and enjoy a collective moment of celebration and, when it comes to eating and drinking, indulge in excess. For many, this aspect of the festive period brings the most joy and excitement. Of course, the season also comes with its share of anxiety: last-minute shopping, overexcited children, drunk uncles, spiky in-laws, annoying Christmas songs, and yet another Gavin and Stacey special all contribute to a general sense of unease. But the prospect of having your house stocked to the brim with the finest food and drink, knowing that the days to come will be filled with feasting, provides a source of comfort - a counterpoint to the chaos. The main event on Christmas Day is one of the great meals of the year, and no, turkey isn’t a boring meat. But look beyond that, and you’ll find a whole supporting cast of cheeses, wines, pâtés, fruit jellies, chutneys, nuts, fruit cakes, and cold cuts. Joy, oh joy!

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More about A Christmas Meat Roast

Our festive game sausages are a treat throughout December - the perfect nibble for a Christmas drinks party, drenched in Cumberland sauce recipe and served with cocktail sticks. Alternatively, wrap them in bacon and lay them around your Christmas turkey or cockerel for a delightful twist on pigs in blankets. This year, we’ve expanded our turkey selection with a rolled and stuffed turkey breast, complete with a choice of stuffings, which could make the perfect Christmas lunch for a smaller family gathering. The stuffing imparts both flavour and moisture to the breast, and it can simply be roasted on a tray, nestled on a bed of pigs in blankets. Serve with classic sides or, as we did, try a few new ideas: a whole celeriac roasted in brown butter and a dish of creamed kale and bacon. And, of course, duck fat roasted potatoes - because to be without them on Christmas Day would be a travesty. We know that most people don’t like to stray too far from tradition on Christmas Day, and we totally understand that. So fear not, we’ve got you covered. This is the year of the bird. Whether it’s a Christmas cockerel recipe or a beautiful bronze turkey, these are some of the finest birds in the land. Stuff them, cover them in bacon, and roast slowly before giving them a long rest. Thicken the roasting juices with a little flour and spike with a splash of wine. Then roll out all your favourite sides and enjoy one of the culinary highlights of the year!

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