I can't believe it's time to start thinking about Christmas again, but that bloke from the allotments just popped in for a pint and told me that his sprouts are looking good this year. Maybe so, but I'm pretty sure he's not going to have enough to go around, so I'd better make some contingency plans.
Farmhouse Potato Bakers Chef's Classic Roast Potatoes
Every Christmas, it's the same - "why can't we have roast potatoes like mum used to make?" And so I have to explain that we do - the roast potatoes that my mum served up were always hard, greasy and had been kept hanging around far too long. This year I'm going to use Chef's Classic Roast Potatoes from Farmhouse Potato Bakers. They're supplied frozen, and are part-cooked, seasoned and shaken as recommended by top chefs, resulting in a crunchy roast potato with a soft fluffy middle. My regulars won't know they're born.
01262 605650 www.farmhousepotatobakers.co.uk
Brakes Pork & Cranberry Layered Terrine
How very festive. A medium coarse pork and smooth chicken liver and cranberry pate topped with cranberries. I can see it working well as a starter, but to be quite honest, if I served it up with chips and a fried egg on top as a main, it would go down a storm.
0845 606 9090 www.brake.co.uk
3663 Brink Turkey Tournedos with Chicken, Sage & Onion and Cranberry Stuffing
I'm not sure what part of a turkey you get the tournedos from, but I'm a great believer in using all the bird. In fact, our Kevin our KP has just googled it for me, bless him, and it turns out to be a medallion of breast - so I'd best get him of the PC before he gets himself into trouble again. These are definitely the best way to serve up a turkey dinner - no parson's nose.
0370 3663 000 www.3663.co.uk
Aviko Potato Gratins
I'm not dissing chips, but it's nice to ring the changes when you're trying to offer a special menu, isn't it? Aviko's new individually frozen potato gratins are ideal as a posh side order. The potato slices are steamed gently until just tender then combined with a creamy sauce. There are five varieties, and they're even endorsed by the Craft Guild of Chefs - not that that's always a recommendation, considering some of the things I've had suggested to me by chefs over the years.
01442 239 536 www.aviko.co.uk.
Brakes Mushroom & Walnut Hot Pot Pie
I'm never quite sure what to do about the vegetarians at. It wouldn't be fair to make them stay at home, but you don't want them staring at you forlornly over a few parsnips either. I quite like the sound of this Mushroom & Walnut Hot Pot Pie - a crisp pastry case encasing rich braised mushrooms & onions topped with sliced potatoes & chopped walnuts
0845 606 9090 www.brake.co.uk
3663 Whites Farmhouse Cheddar Tartlet
You do need something cheesy at this time of year, and I don't just mean Noddy Holder shouting "It's Christmas!" This Farmhouse Cheddar Tartlet from 3663's exclusive White's range makes an ideal starter served up wit a few salad leaves. But I must dig out those Christmas CDs.
0370 3663 000 www.3663.co.uk
Smoked Trout
What about the trout? She'll have a large G&T, if you're offering. I'm told that smoked trout prices come in lower than salmon, and also has a lower calorie content. The British Trout Associations has a great recipe for 30 Second Hot Smoked Trout Pâté - which can be used to top bread as a festive starter or buffet item.
www.britishtrout.co.uk - see link for recipe
Alveston Kitchens Nougat Roulade
We used to buy nougat on the way home from school, although I went off it when someone slipped a half chewed mouthful into my satchel. That stuff wasn't much like this Nougat Roulade with Brandy Cream, one of the range of frozen festive desserts from Alveston Kitchen. Inspired by French Montelimar nougat, the handrolled roulade is a light, soft chewy meringue, topped with cherries, hazelnuts and peel, and filled with a rich Courvoiser cream. Worth more than threepence a slab, I reckon.
0800 575755 www.heinzsight.co.uk
3663 Sidoli Cranberry & Port Cheesecake
Never mind serving it by the slice, I quite fancy a glass of this festive cheesecake from 3663. I'm all for using the drinks flavours in desserts, and port and cranberry sound a lot better than my last home-made effort, a lager and lychee fool.
0370 3663 000 www.3663.co.uk
Brakes Individual Black Forest Gateau
Forget Christmas pud - you can't beat the classics. A rich Chocolate sponge base soaked in brandy and chocolate layered with sweet cherry compote. Topped with a light whipped cream and decorated with a cherry and chocolate curls. It goes very nicely with a sweet leibfraumilch, as I remember. The 70s are back!
0845 606 9090 www.brake.co.uk
Pritchitts' Creative Base
No one likes a runny pudding, do they? Pritchitts' new Creative Base combines cream with gelatine, makes the perfect setting base for all types of Christmas recipes; sweet and savoury, such as terrines and mousses. I'm going to have a go at the recipe for Chocolate Brandy Mousse. And I may need to try quite a few samples to make sure I get it right.
www.pritchitts.com - see link for recipe
Makro Rioba coffee range
I do like to finish properly, and the new Rioba coffee range makes it pretty simple. Exclusive to Makro, the range of Italian coffee blends offer the taste and aroma only found with premium quality beans. There are also stylish and compact machines, branded crockery and accessories. Four sugars in mine, please.
01709 866171 www.morebeansforyourbuck.co.uk