Ingredients - December

“Tis the season”

This time of year whizzes by in a blur, filled with social gatherings, catching up with friends and family, carol concerts, prepping for Christmas, decorating the house and gearing up for New Years Eve.

When is it acceptable to put up Christmas decorations? Gemma and I are in two boats here, for me it’s around the week before Christmas. This is when the decorations go up, the tree goes up, the Christmas films go on, and I find it acceptable to listen to Christmas music in the shops. For Gemma, it’s the 1st December…

Before all that though, we have delicious seasonal produce arriving in our shops and farmers markets to play with

What’s in season – swede, turnips, beetroot, Jerusalem artichoke, parsnips, truffles, apples, satsumas, cranberries, turkey, pheasant, haddock, mackerel, sea bass and of course…

Brussels Sprouts! These fall into two categories. (Love or hate) Yes, of course WE LOVE THEM! If you’re not so keen, try jazzing them up this Christmas lunch by roasting them with a drizzle of oil, salt & pepper and roasting in the oven for 30 minutes or stir-fry them with garlic and chili.

For me, mince pies have always been my weakness. This year, I decided to revamp mincemeat for a healthier alternative.

Reinvented Mincemeat

200g chopped apple

150g raisins

50g cranberries

Zest and juice of one orange

1 tbsp apple puree

1tsp ginger

1tsp cinnamon plus two sticks

1/2tsp nutmeg

300g apples (cored)

150ml water.

Place 300g of cored apple into a blender and combine with the 150ml water. Blend until liquid.

Place raisins, 200g chopped apple, cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, spices and the apple puree into a saucepan, place 200ml of the apple liquid in and simmer with a lid for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, remove lid and leave again for another 30minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid anything sticking.

Leave the mixture to cool, then, you’re free to use it as you wish.

• Try using it with mince pies.

• Add a spoonful to Greek Yogurt, or your morning porridge “pimp your porridge.”

• Make mincemeat crumble – heat up a spoonful or two in a bowl and top with your chosen crumble topping.

• Fold into muffins/cupcakes.

Do you find it hard to keep on track with eating during Christmas? So do we, check out our blog next week, “Christmas Eating.”