Christmas is definitely a time to be indulgent and treat yourself to some of your favourite food and drinks. It is not the time to be counting calories, starting diets or concerning yourself with any of that. Eat the cheese, drink the wine and enjoy the festivities, that’s my moto anyway.
If, like me, you like to indulge in some of the festive treats then here are some of the best Christmas treats on the market that we think everyone should be enjoying this year
Cheese
Cheese is one of my absolute favourite foods at Christmas, actually it’s one of my favourite foods all year round but especially at Christmas. I love all of it, flavoured cheese, soft cheese, strong cheese even good vegan cheese is a hit for me. If you’re a cheese lover two then my top the recommendations are
Aldi Specially Selected cheese bakes
These are available all year round and are incredible. They come in ramakin pots and you bake them in the oven for 20-30 minutes until lovely and gooey. We use them as a dip for carrots, cucumber and garlic bread and at Christmas thy make a great addition to a cheese board, adding a different element as they are hot and great for sharing. There are three flavours available, my personal favourite is the cheddar and chorizo but to be honest I am yet to find one I don’t like!
Parmigiano Reggiano
If you want a versatile cheese that can be added to a cheese board and also used to cook with over the festive period instead f using on a cheese board then this is it. The Parmigiano Reggiano is a one-of-a-kind cheese and is made using the artisanal and natural methods. It is amazing for dishes like Carbonara, adding a real depth of flavour that will be sure to impress your dinner guests.
Meat
Christmas is probably the only time I eat cured meats but you can’t have a cheese board without it in my opinion and the Furlottie&C Parma Ham is the one to get. It is a cured meat that is a much healthier option than other types of red meat, and a good substitute for bacon as it is made with no nitrates or nitrites so if you don’t want a bboard you n use it in your cooking instead.
Mince Pies
We love mince pies at Christmas and last year our favourites were the Luxury Mince Pies from Lottie Shaws, however, if you’re looking for a high street brand then this year we have discovered these mini mince pies from Sainsburys that are absolutely incredible.
Alcohol free
If you want some alcohol free spirits this year then my brand of choice is CleanCo. I have tried almost all of their products over the last year but my favourite is the rhubarb gin, it tastes just like real gin but minus the hangover plus you can still drive if you need too.
Alcohol
If you do drink alcohol then Christmas is a time when cocktails are flowing and corks are popping. For me I love a themed spirit and can highly recommend these two
Bathtub Gin – Miso, Black Cardamom & Pine – £34.95
A superbly savoury gin featuring wintery pine, umami-rich miso and aromatic black cardamom recently awarded gold at the Global Spirits Masters. This sophisticated twist on festive spirits combines pine’s crispness with miso’s depth, making it an exceptional choice for a Dirty Martini but also works well with a simple sim line tonic and ice too.
Project 173 Gingerbread Rum – £19.95
If you like gingerbread you will love this it’s a delightful blend of sweet and spicy gingerbread notes, perfect when paired with ginger ale for a zesty festive highball or mixes with diet coke. It isn’t over powering at all it just has a nice warm taste to it, definitely my favourite Christmas treat of all.
