Festive Home Catering Made Simple

The run up to Christmas is magic. It’s such a special time and a great excuse to spend quality time with family and friends under the glow of twinkly lights. Allow me to set the scene… you’ve invited some guests to dinner in your home, perhaps its close friends, work colleagues or your family. The objective of the evening is to give your guests something really great to eat along with flowing drinks and conversation. However, with these times of celebration can come exhaustion, stress and excess. We’re here to help share some of the load and keep the spirits bright.

Great food brings friends and family together like no other. The key to a relaxed evening is a relaxed host so plan a meal that is not too complicated and that doesn’t keep you in the kitchen all evening. The number one rule of the “hostess with the mostess” is having time to chat to your guests, making them feel welcome and keeping their glasses full! Arriving at the table for your ta-da moment frazzled from the kitchen is not a good look for anyone! Guests will be wowed by tasty and hearty dishes that comfort them at this time of year. Keep it hassle free with our Christmas entertaining tips.

1) Deck The Halls

Use fresh flowers and seasonal foliage to create relaxed and fragrant decorations. We love to use eucalyptus, mistletoe and holly draped across the mantle and in vases on the dining table. Why not add a few sprigs of rosemary and thyme for that special foodie touch! Pine cones make lovely place name settings. And don’t forget the candles – lots and lots of candles! Setting the table the night before will ease the pressure on the day.

2) A Festive Tipple

Welcome your guests in from the cold with a warming glass of mulled wine, champagne or our very special mulled apple punch. It’s always important to have something delicious for the designated drivers too. We have a range of cordials in our shops  which can be added to sparkling water along with some fresh fruit for a delicious glass of fizz. A fabulously festive drink will be sure to kick off the evening’s festivities.

3) Get Ahead

Anything that can be prepared ahead will save you stressing on the day. Perhaps a chilled dessert that can be served straight from the fridge or a main course that can be prepared the night before? We find that rich casserole dishes can taste better if they have time to rest and let the flavours mingle overnight…we highly recommend our beef bourguignon. If cooking sounds too much like hard work, simply order your meal through any of our shops and pretend that you have been slaving away at the stove all day! For home catering, see a sample menu from our Autumn Winter menu below for inspiration:

Canapés

Lightly poached salmon, egg puree and pea shoot
Goat Cheese and Red Onion Tartlet smoked almond
Ham Hock and Herb Terrine pickled carrots, pineapple gel

 

Starter

Wild Mushroom Rissotto Croquette with saffron aioli

 

Main

Beef Bourguignon
Creamy Mashed Potato
Roast Root Vegetables with honey and thyme

 

Dessert

Chocolate and Raspberry Yule Log

While these are all helpful tips to keep in mind, the most important thing to remember is to enjoy yourself! Unwind, relax and enjoy the company of your family and friends in your home.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year.

 

 

 

Con Traas’ family has been growing apples on his 60 acre farm near Cahir in County Tipperary since 1968. Apples have been growing in this area for hundreds of years. When Con took over the orchard from his parents, he planted and grew it to increase supply, so much so that it now produces over 5 million apples a year!

Sixty different varieties of apples are grown on the farm. Harvest begins in August and runs through until the end of the year. Unusual varieties include the Alkmene, Topaz and Michelle my Belle apples! The apples are used in bakeries and sold in farm shops around the country.

A Christmas Cocktail

Each Christmas, we enlist Con to make a delicious Mulled Apple Punch for our customers. This warming mulled juice is made slowly from apple juice, cinnamon, cloves and some other secret ingredients! We highly recommend serving this warm. While the juice itself does not contain alcohol, why not try it in this delicious cocktail for the adults? Not only is this simple to make and tastes great, it will make your whole house smell fabulously festive! As a non-alcoholic Christmas punch, it’s suitable for everyone!

The Butler’s Pantry Winter Warmer

Ingredients

750ml Mulled Apple Punch
400ml Dark Rum (our favourite is Havana Club 7 Year Old)
Vanilla Extract
Granulated Brown Sugar
1 Lemon
Apple Slices, rosemary for garnish

1. Prepare two saucers, one with a little of the mulled apple punch and one with granulated brown sugar mixed with a touch of cinnamon. Dip the rim of the glass into the mulled apple punch and then into the sugar mix to make it stick.
2. Peel the lemon using a vegetable peeler.
3. Gently heat the mulled apple punch on the hob. Add a couple of cinnamon sticks, lemon peel and a dash of vanilla extract.
4. Pour in the rum and stir gently. Don’t allow to boil as you don’t want to burn off the alcohol.
5. Add a squeeze of lemon, ladle into glasses and serve with a slice of apple and sprig of rosemary for decoration!

Remember to use a thick glass that can withstand heat and a handle so your guests don’t burn their hands! Always drink responsibly.

Call into one of our stores to find out more!