Freaky festive foods
But now no food is safe as our supermarkets are awash with an avalanche of seasonal snacks with a festive makeover to create some wacky combinations.
The floodgates were opened back in 2010 when experimental chef Heston Blumenthal with his “hidden orange” pudding which concealed a candied fruit flew off the shelves at Waitrose.
Now, Consumer Features Editor
samples some of the weirder festive treats and gives her verdict...
Affectionately known as “drunken cheese as it is bathed in gallons of dry and sparkling Prosecco along with skins and seeds left over from the winemaking process, this was the most pleasant of all the novelty cheeses.
With a slight fizz on the tongue and a Prosecco after-taste it lives up to its name without overpowering this delicate cheese, pictured right.
But its subtle flavour won’t stand up to powerful cheeses like Cheddar and Stilton, so don’t put it on your festive board. Instead serve crumbles or shavings with a glass of Prosecco as a canape. CHRISTMAS STAR RATING:
4 out of 5 topped with flaked almonds are a light alternative to all the heavier short-crust versions. Sloe gin is a welcome addition but Aldi could be a bit more generous with the filling. CHRISTMAS STAR RATING: 3
This isn’t just any smoothie, it’s an M&S smoothie.
But normally known for their tasteful yet creative takes on Christmas snacks and treats, the brown contents of this bottle (right) is the last thing you’ll want to down after a night out of the razz. If you can get past the colour, it isn’t actually too bad. Combining yogurt with raisins, cinnamon and cream, it is a cross between muesli and plum pudding.
CHRISTMAS STAR RATING: 2
Might sound mad but I have been cooking my gammon joint in a can of Coke since Jamie Oliver started singing its softening praises which doubles up as the perfect cure. If you don’t have time to go to the effort of soaking and roasting your own, Aldi’s new take will save you hours. The salted caramel helps give the gammon a sweet but nutty flavour. Improves a plain old joint.
The Yorkshire tradition says you should pair your Christmas fruit cake with a slice of Wensleydale but this concoction is like a disaster with a chemistry set.
The chocolate makes the cheese too sweet, while the orange adds too much acidity. Asda’s Wensleydale with cranberry is a better option if you are looking for a twist on the traditional cheese. CHRISTMAS STAR RATING: 2
Awful. The cheddar is soft and acidic, rather than strong and fruity on the palate. The alcohol and ginger overpowers the cheese too.
I’m a bit a purist when it comes to pizza toppings so I was pretty sceptical about Asda’s festive creation – and was right.
Piled with chicken, roast potatoes, Brussels spouts and then topped with cranberry sauce, this carbohydrate-laden concoction is a step too far. The potatoes were soggy, the chicken a bit dry and the cranberry sauce too sweet.
Pass the bucket.
Iof At first a little bland but then I realised you need to eat the sausage-flavoured crisps with the bacon-flavoured pork rind crunches to get the full benefit. And then I ate the rest of the pack. Be warned. The world’s first turkey gin has been blended with an organic breast from the bird and 13 botanicals including apples, pears, plums, currants, raisins, sultanas, cinnamon and nutmeg. Sounds horrible, right?
I expected a mouthful of Christmas dinner but the flavour is subtle – more festive spices than an actual slab of meat. Just a gimmick then? I’m told the turkey breast absorbs some of the intense fruit flavours to stop them overwhelming the gin taste during distilling – inspired by the Mexical mezcal producers who use a raw chicken or turkey breast. Works well with the traditional tonic mixer but if you are feeling adventurous top with half a bottle of Fever Tree’s ginger ale for a modern twist.
This expensive-looking ketchup contains all the ingredients of a certain cocktail and hangover cure: celery, Worcester sauce, tomatoes and, of course, vodka (although only three per cent).
Don’t use it for dipping your chips in but it was delightful alongside a cold cuts buffet, perfect for Boxing
Day, or as an alternative to chutney with a chunk of mature Cheddar and crackers.