Well I don't know about you but I absolutely adore this time of year- sure it gets a bit frantic winding things down at work and the silly season's parties do eventually take their toll, but there is the thought of all that holiday eating, drinking and merry making to look forward to!

I've come across a few personal holiday musts to stock up on...

Firstly Simonsig, producers of many-an-award-winning MCC, have just launched a new Brut Rose. I love almost anything pink and this is no exception - it's fruity, dry and doesn't cost the earth so it's just thing to start a party - in fact it can probably be relied on to keep the party going too.

The other 'must-have' delight is the Verjuice Company's new Spicy Verjuice Chutney. I am a great fan of all their products but this new addition is the just the thing for holiday entertaining. Chunky, fruit and spicy, it's perfect with cold meats and cheese, fabulous forked through warm couscous and just the thing to turn a bowl of bottled mayo into a gourmet treat. For more information go to info@verjuice.co.za or www.verjuice.co.za

But that's not all - I thought perhaps you might like a special festive season treat. I make Bloody Mary Jellies every Christmas without fail and by the time lunch is served everyone is sozzled enough not to care if the gravy's cold and the turkey a little charred!

Eat, drink, be merry and stay safe
Justine

 

These are festive and fabulous; just the thing to kick off a mid-summer brunch, lunch or dinner.

20g (1 sachet) powdered gelatine
2 cups (500ml) tomato juice
½ cup (125ml) vodka
juice of 1 lemon
1 tbl (15ml) Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp (5ml) Tabasco pepper sauce
sea salt or celery salt and milled black pepper

SERVES 6

Dissolve the gelatine in a little hot water (about 30ml/2 tbl).
Mix together the tomato juice, vodka, lemon juice,

Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco, and season generously with salt and pepper.
Stir in the gelatine and pour into six moulds.
Chill for about 3 hours to set.
Unmould the jellies by briefly dipping the moulds into warm water. Turn them out onto plates.
Serve the jellies with a mini salad of fresh leaves, or simply with a dollop of yoghurt or crème fraîche.
Wine: Bear in mind that tomatoes don't like wine - and you need something that will stand up to both Tabasco and vodka. Try off-dry Gewurztraminer. Or simply serve Bloody Marys!
 


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