First cut of menus for Christmas 2023. Work in progress. Main meal only. Vegetarian. Christmas Eve dinner to Boxing Day.
Christmas Eve
Food
- Sugared, chocolate-coated, gilded, and silvered Brazil nuts and almonds
- Chickpeas and cannellini beans with hispi cabbage and cavolo nero
- Frangipane
- Soft cheeses
Drink
- Sparkling water (eg, Vichy Célestins)
- Kir Royale with a twist of hibiscus
- Sparkling white wine (Maybe a Franciacorta)
- Sweet wine with the desert (Recioto?)
- Atlantic coastal brandy with the cheese
Christmas Day
Food
- Friselle with tomato, oregano, basil and rocket, chilli flakes
- Creamy risotto with butternut squash and Brussels sprouts, sage, dried Senise peppers
- Mince pies with brandy cream or brandy butter
- Hard cheeses and blue cheeses, nuts, dried fruit, charcoal crackers
Drink
- Sparkling water (eg Ferarelle)
- Negroni
- White wine (to be decided - or maybe a Puglian orange wine?)
- Dryish champagne with the mince pies
- PX or Port with the cheese
Boxing Day
If the weather is bearable, do this as a picnic.
Food
- Filo parcels with festive vegetables and smoked tofu
- Soured red cabbage with winter spices and bitter orange
- Stollen, brandy butter
Drink
- Sparkling water (eg S. Pellegrino)
- Mulled wine
- Brandy
