Some of our favourite things to eat, watch and try over the festive holidays…
4 stocking fillers to make you smile
STUCK FOR WHAT TO BUY FOR THE FOODIE IN YOUR LIFE? THESE GIFTS ARE ALL ON OUR RADAR THIS YEAR…
• Know someone who loves to present drinks with a sense of theatre? A set of two Final Touch Silicone Ice Ball Moulds (£12, johnlewis. com) would be right up their street. Who says ice cubes have to be square anyway?
• Treat the chocolate lover in your life to a mouth-wateringly good bar from Suffolk-based Pump Street Bakery. We love the Sourdough & Sea Salt bar (£6.75 for 70g, pumpstreetchocolate.com).
• Got a budding barista in your house? A milk thermometer could be the must-have gadget they’re missing. We like the ETI Milk Thermometer (£7, boroughkitchen.com).
• For a keen baker, the Golden Twisted Measuring Spoons from Oliver Bonas (£24.50, oliverbonas.com) would be a perfect – and stylish – way to ensure a recipe’s ingredients list is always adhered to.
The best party cocktail
Here at GBF we’re big fans of a spritzy gin drink and this year we’re going to be whipping up a few English Garden cocktails at our Christmas party. If you fancy making them yourself, you’ll be pleased to know they’re quick and simple. Simply pour ice cubes into a cocktail shaker and add 50ml cucumber-infused gin, 50ml apple juice, 25ml lime juice and 20g sugar. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with cucumber and mint.
How we like to eat ourMINCE PIES
THE TEAM SHARE THEIR FAVOURITE WAYS TO EAT THIS FESTIVE TREAT
“I love mine slightly warm with a nice spoonful of crème fraîche – and I find they taste even better when eaten in front of a roaring fire.”
Claire Munnings, content editor
“I buy my mince pies locally from Guntons in Colchester, they are the best. I heat one in a microwave for between 10 and 15 seconds, and then let it stand for two minutes or so. A liberal dollop of clotted cream tops it off. Yum!”
Rick Allen, designer
“I like my mince pies warm with custard as a dessert... or just as is with a nice cup of tea.”
Laura Coppock, content editor
“My homemade mince pies are made with puff pastry every time and I put a black cherry in each one, sometimes a drop of Cointreau too. When the puff pastry pies are sealed they get a stab with a fork, an egg wash and a sprinkle of brown sugar before going in the oven.”
Sarah Barajas, designer
“I love to have a warm mince pie
