Stocking up for Christmas: Peggy's Products
We all want some figgy pudding, except veteran pub cook Peggy, who'd much prefer a large gin. We persuaded her to take a break from polishing up her sixpenny bits - for the Christmas puds, of course - to cast a professional eye over some of the seasonal fare on offer to the trade.
I can't say I enjoy Christmas as much as I used to. Once-a-year drinkers telling you their life story, tipsy office workers making a mess of my toilets, students behind the bar who can't work out the right change, and punters who think it's funny to order a round of snowballs. Still, the extra trade is very welcome, and I am looking forward to my two weeks in Tenerife in January.
- Barfly Barbites: It's always nice to start with a nibble, I reckon. Welco Bar Snacks is offering a free Barfly Barbites display stand with initial orders as a pre-Christmas promotion. Barfly Barbites is a range of single portion bar snacks packed in sealed pots, including Bar Mix (spicy nuts and rice crackers), Chilli Nuts, Olives, Smoked Almonds, Thai nuts, Pistachios and Cashews. And I can remember when cheese-and-onion seemed dangerously trendy.
Brakes Winter Greens and Stilton Soup with White Port: You can't offer a three course, all-in Christmas menu without a seasonal soup, and Brakes has come up with something a bit different this year. My Charlie used to swear by wintergreen for his lumbago, but this Winter Greens and Stilton Soup with White Port is definitely better eaten than rubbed into the small of your back. You just heat and serve, with each 2kg carton making around 10 portions.
Woodward Somerset Brie & Spiced Plum Chutney Tart: There's nothing like a tart at Christmas, my brother Frank used to say. And he knew what he was talking about. Woodward Somerset Brie & Spiced Plum Chutney Tart is an individual savoury cheese & sesame seed pastry tart, containing Somerset Brie and a spiced plum chutney with a cream cheese soufflé style filling. It can be served as a starter or main course option - which makes it as versatile as that floozy Frank ended up with.
Brakes Turkey Breast with Apple, Cranberry and Port Stuffing: Who wants stuffing? It's not just the jokes in the crackers that come back to haunt you year after year. Brakes has a new Turkey Breast with Apple, Cranberry and Port Stuffing on offer. It's a raw, netted, boned, rolled and stuffed single lobe turkey breast, which makes portion control easy. No wishbone, though... I 'd wish it was already January 2.
RHM Foodservice Paxo stuffing: Always be ready for the unexpected - that's been my motto ever since that coach party turned up on their way to the Star Trek convention. RHM Foodservice take the stress out of planning for Christmas peaks in demand with Bisto gravy and Paxo stuffing. Paxo is available in delicious Sage and Onion, or Parsley, Thyme and Lemon flavours, while Bisto Gravy Granules are available in original, chicken, onion, turkey and curry flavours. Do Klingons like gravy?
3663 meat main courses: Not that everyone wants turkey. We've got a turkey farmer who comes in regularly and he never touches it. Strange, when you come to think of it. Anyway, 3663 has a range of seasonal main courses which include several lamb shank dishes from Diversity, Loxtons pork oysters with cranberry, leek and Stilton in port wine sauce and Knorr pork forerib in orange and cinnamon sauce.
Woodward Slow Cooked Braised Beef in Whisky & Peppercorn Sauce: I like a bit of beef myself... but back to the menu planning. Woodward Slow Cooked Braised Beef in Whisky & Peppercorn Sauce is slow cooked braised chunks of beef with a separate creamy black peppercorn sauce, infused with whisky and brandy. Once thawed, this gourmet sous-vide product can be heated in a microwave in 60-90 seconds, cooked in a steam oven or in simmering water in eight to ten minutes.
Cherry Valley: Also worth thinking about is Cherry Valley's pre-cooked duckling breast fillet with accompanying sauces such as: Orange; Orange, Cranberry & Brandy; and Cherry & Sloe Gin. These steamed duck dishes will help overcome menu fatigue whilst commanding a premium price for the Christmas menu. They can simply be re-heated in minutes in an oven or microwave. And it's always a laugh to come out of the kitchen and shout 'duck!'
Aunt Bessie's vegetarian stuffing balls: 3663 hasn't forgotten that meat-free options are also important. Aunt Bessie's vegetarian stuffing balls can be served with Goodlife nut roast slices or Apetito winter vegetable rustic open pie to serve a full meal, with all the trimmings.
Quorn Bramley Bangers: For those missing the thrill of a chipolata with their nut roast, Marlow Foods' new Quorn Bramley Bangers might be the answer. Quorn sausages mixed with juicy Bramley apple pieces and seasoned with pork style flavour and sage. They say it'll put the 'bang' back into your bangers. Not sure I'm up to it, but you never know...
Brakes Mushroom, Parsnip & Cranberry Rosti tart: Also for the veggie crowd is Brakes Mushroom, Parsnip & Cranberry Rosti tart. It's a ready to bake, puff pastry tart made with sherry-infused ingredients. There'll be quite a lot of sherry-infused customers about when we serve this at the WI Christmas do.
Brakes Poachers Game Pie: We always lay on a lovely buffet for the local Chamber of Commerce, and it's nice to tempt them with something unusual. Brakes Poachers Game Pie is hand-filled with venison, wild boar, game bird, turkey, pate and pork, and topped with redcurrants. Funny, we don't get many poachers in here any more. Some of our regulars miss the buckshot in the rabbit stew.
Padley's Wings of Fire: Padley's has a range of chicken buffet products with flavour and spice. 'Wings of Fire' sounds like one of those live bands we sometimes book, all eye liner and nose piercings, but in fact it's chicken wings marinated in a fruity hot sauce and oven roasted. They also offer Tikka Style Bites, adding an exotic twist to a buffet, and Chickwich Dippers available in Garlic, Hot 'n' Spicy and Sesame batter variants.
Chalice Tapenade range: I had to ask what a tapenade is, and it isn't what I thought at all. It's a rich olive spread popular in the Mediterranean, apparently. You live and learn. The Chalice Tapenade range from Aarhus United is available in four flavours - Sun Dried Tomato, Sweet Red Pepper, Green Olive and Kalamata Olive, in 500g plastic tubs. It can be used to create a range of snacks for a Christmas or New Year party buffet.
Jus-Rol canapés: Whatever else you offer, I reckon a nice vol-au-vent is the heart of a good buffet. However many people turn up, Jus-Rol has a range of canapés and vol-au-vents that save time without compromising on quality. There's something for everyone, from Thai-style Beef with Coriander sprinkles; and Chilli Chicken Salsa, to Stilton & Apricot and Vegetable Rogan Josh with Coriander sprinkles.
3663 desserts: Puds always go
