Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
General Topics => All things that have nothing to do with Turkey => Topic started by: Colwyn on December 06, 2016, 15:55:33 PM
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I'm getting ideas together for our atheist Christmas. This involves enjoying all the food and drink but avoiding the "belief" stuff. So I'm looking for ideas on must-have Christmas delights.
Ever since my two daughters were teenagers (they are mid/late thirties now) they have demanded that I make Watercress Soup for first course on Christmas Day (light and elegant, not going to fill you up before the heavy stuff cracks in). Yesterday I made Rum & Raisin Ice Cream - last year's favourite that is getting a rerun. First timer this year is going to be Spiced Red Cabbage. I am somewhat handicapped in deciding these "extras" by the fact that one daughter is vegetarian (by choice) and the other is dairy-free (by medical necessity). But don't let that hold you back ... what is your Christmas Special food and/or drink?
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Ours is leek and Stilton tarts that Mrs Scunner fond a recipe for in a magazine - our Christmas Day starter. It doesn't sound particularly nice - especially for those who don't like Stilton (Mrs S + both kids then) but they are sensational - even for the Stilton haters :)
It is a flaky pastry base and all I know apart from that is they have leek and Stilton in them. I could scan the recipe if anyone is remotely interested.
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Sounds lovely to me! I love leek and Stilton tarts, a really tasty Xmas starter, the flavours marry so well. Yummy!
A big favourite of ours is a 'pre prandial' taster! I think l mentioned once before that I love making nibbles before the main event to have with (often too many) drinks, and a favourite is Mejool dates stoned and filled with Stilton or Roquefort cheese, mixed to taste with yoghurt or cream cheese till light, (Turkish cheese can also be used) then topped with chopped caramelised walnuts and drizzled with honey. It sounds complicated but they can be made earlier, are so easy to make and look good, one or two each and they're gone in seconds!
(https://s11.postimg.org/i01c5ze7j/IMG_5350.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/i01c5ze7j/)
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They sound delicious. ;)
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They look delicious too Lotte. Will they keep for two or three days refrigerated with cling film? :)
Or is it better to make the filling fresh?
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To be honest they're usually gone so fast, I've never had to put them in the fridge. I'm sure they'd be fine for I day. I make the fillings the day before and put in a plastic bag, (snip the bottom corner to pipe) chop your caramelised nuts up and save in a jar, these can go in the fridge. Then they honestly take 5 minutes to assemble. :)
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Yes, it was the filling I was thinking about, but if you can prepare a day before that sounds great. Many thanks. :)
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Sorry, I don't put the caramelised nuts in the fridge, once chopped and in an airtight jar they'll be better in a dry space. :)
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I much prefer my nuts be kept out of the fridge also. :)
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So,, chopped and in an airtight jar is preferable,,, ;)
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:'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(.
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Kevin, now be a good boy?
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Those cheese-stuffed dates sound really good to me. Unfortunately I am the only one who likes them and, I suppose, Xmas is about sharing.
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For anyone who likes the sprouts with chesnuts and bacon. Home Bargains have the packets of ready cooked ready to eat chesnuts which are half the price of anywhere else. They are so good and so easy to use. I love chesnuts. I think I may be addicted, bought 6 packets in Home Bargains.
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Colwyn, you can make as many or as few you like. They are so easy and quick, if you need more it's not a problem. They are an acquired taste I must admit. Try making just 4, 2 per day for Christmas Day and Boxing Day - just for you! Go on spoil yourself. You know you want to ;)
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A big favourite of ours is a 'pre prandial' taster! I think l mentioned once before that I love making nibbles before the main event to have with (often too many) drinks, and a favourite is Mejool dates stoned and filled with Stilton or Roquefort cheese, mixed to taste with yoghurt or cream cheese till light, (Turkish cheese can also be used) then topped with chopped caramelised walnuts and drizzled with honey.
Lotty - Brenda wants you to know that sounds absolutely gorgeous and that all of the ingredients are amongst her favourites.
She says she is positively salivating - but I blame that on her age ;)
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Go on spoil yourself. You know you want to ;)
I'd like to give it a go but the only ones I've found so far are "Produce of Israel" and Hilary ain't going to allow them into the house. I'm not going to sabotage Christmas for a handful of dates. Anyone know a high street source for Jordanian dates?
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Waitrose :) Or buy online from Amazon.
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Thanks SF, but the Waitrose ones seem to be product of Israel as well. I think I'll buy direct from Yaffa Palestinian Products.
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Sorry, forget Waitrose at this time of year. They are all Israeli. I've had Jordanian from them, but they state that these are seasonal.
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That's done then. 500 grams of Yaffa Grade 1 Medjoul Jumbo Dates grown near Jericho. I have looked up how to caramelize walnuts (with Cointreau) and will get the cheese and honey nearer Christmas. Thanks Lotty, looking forward to it - discovering new treats is exactly why I started this thread.
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Oh, and Hilary says she's going to give them a try as well! Just as well I bought a pound of them.
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I think Yaffa is the way to go for me too Colwyn. The more I read about the Jordanian dates available now, the more I found out about Jordan river valley dates, which are Israeli settlements.
I never gave dates much thought before, time for another nap methinks. 8)
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I've never used Cointreau, for the walnuts, it sounds nice though. I just use sugar and water in a frying pan (heavy base preferably), add walnuts when it's dissolved and let it caramelise. Tip into board till cool then chop.
This a delicious alternative too, 2 cups raw walnut halves: toast lightly in heavy based pan, add 1/3 cup good Maple syrup & pinch salt. Stir till caramelised and cool & chop as above. These are a great nibble on their own. My daughter ate 5 every day when she was pregnant! :)
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We always have Snowballs (Advocaat, lime, martini and lemonade) on Christmas Eve.
Port, small cheeseboard (with grapes and sliced apple) and After Eights.....Perfect way to finish the meal.
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I didn't inclusd any drinks but Christmas morning is always 11am Buck's Fizz to smooth the hectic preparations and go with the opening of Christmas tree presents. This year we brought a couple of bottles of port back from Lisbon - and there's still one and a half bottles left! I was surprised to find that whereas we are used to port being treated as a digestif in this country, stylish Portuguese restaurants were offering it on the aperitif list. I think we'll be going Portugues-ish this Christmas.
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Well, I've stuffed my dates. I sure I don't have the delicacy of touch for this sort of work. My cooking veers to the rustic. First time I have caramelized sugar and I didn't really know what I was doing. Still the walnuts taste very good and I've had lots of little helpers wanting to join in the tasting. Piping of Roquefort and cream cheese mix takes a skill that I clearly lack. But by the end of two dozen dates I was starting to get more into the dates than I was getting on my fingers. All that is needed now is a last-minute drizzle of honey. Here are the results so far.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/ColwynJones/Stuffed%20Dates_zpsb3mql2h6.jpg)
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Bet they are delicious Colwyn ;D
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Delicious I'm sure, Colwyn.
Your tinfoil container doesn't really do 'em justice but what a fine addition to the Xmas table (on a posh plate).
Gosh - they look good.
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Yes, tinfoil just the holding phase before honey is applied prior to serving.
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Aah.......makes perfect sense.
Didn't allow for the "holding phase".
However, I'd eat them from the tinfoil (including licking your fingers!) right now.
Well done you.
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They look delicious Colwyn! :)
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My own effort, with the help of our Lotte.
(https://s23.postimg.org/uz7jugycn/IMG_1594.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/uz7jugycn/)
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They look fantastic so festive! I hope those of you who've made them find them as delicious as you anticipated! Merry Christmas everybody!
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The stuffed dates are delicious. Even Hilary, who says she doesn't like dates, enjoyed them. Having bought the jumbo medjoul (largest size) two is just right for a delicacy with a small glass of aperitif port. Thanks for the idea and the recipe Lotty.
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Thanks Colwyn, I'm glad you enjoyed them. :D