Christmas supermarket awards 2015
23 products we really rate, to make Christmas easier for you
IT’S EASY TO FIND THESE PRODUCTS: LOOK OUT FOR THIS LABEL IN SUPERMARKETS
HOW WE CHOSE THE WINNERS
The O team chose 18 categories based on the kinds of products you might want to buy to make Christmas entertaining hassle-free. The supermarkets selected the products they wanted to put forward in each category (we only allowed them one entry per category, so they had to choose carefully). The panel tasted them without any packaging on view and without knowing where they come from, and rated each individually. In some categories it was very close, so we decided to award ‘highly commendeds’.
1 An exceptional Christmas pudding
WINNER: ASDA EXTRA SPECIAL MELTING FIG AND BRANDY CHRISTMAS PUDDING (£7/907G)
COMMENTS: This looks and tastes homemade. The texture is lovely and firm with juicy chunks of fruit, and the orange slices are beautifully tender. It has well balanced fruit and boozy flavours, and the sauce gives a theatrical surprise.
2 Gluten-free Christmas baking
WINNER: M&S COLLECTION GLUTEN-FREE CHRISTMAS PUDDING (£8.50/454G) COMMENTS: This looks shiny and juicy, and has a lovely boozy smell, with a nice mixture of nuts and fruit. It holds its shape well and has a fruity texture. Buy this if anyone is avoiding gluten in the knowledge that it will please everyone.
3 Smart canapés
WINNER: M&S 10 MINI LOBSTER MAC & CHEESE (£10/221G)
COMMENTS: Teeny pots of well-cooked macaroni with obvious chunks of lobster and a rich, cheesy bisque-like sauce. Perfectly sized for eating at a drinks party.
4 Best frozen canapés
WINNER: TESCO FINEST 10 BREADED CHICKEN SATAY SKEWERS (£3/210G) COMMENTS: These have a crisp, crunchy crumb, a tender chicken centre and don’t fall apart on the first bite.
5 Christmas drink
WINNER: LIDL CHRISTKINDL MULLED WINE (£4.49/1L)
COMMENTS: This has an aroma and flavour subtle enough that it can be served throughout a party.We felt it would also be a good base to pimp-up with extra spices or fruit. HIGHLY COMMENDED: CO-OPERATIVE LOVED BY US BLINGLEBERRY JUICE (£2.35/750ML) COMMENTS: With its hint of sparkle and pomegranate flavour, this juice would make a good base for cocktails – just add fizz.
6 A ready-made side dish for Christmas day
WINNER: ICELAND LUXURY SPROUTS WITH CHESTNUTS, BACON, STILTON & GORGONZOLA (£1.99/600G)
COMMENTS: This is like a sprout/mac ‘n’ cheese mash up. It has a strong cheese flavour, plenty of texture from whole chestnut pieces, and tender-but-firm sprouts. Intensely comforting – we could eat a bowl of this, on its own, with a spoon.
7 All the trimmings
WINNER: M&S GARNISH SELECTION; BACON-WRAPPED PORK & SHALLOT COCKTAILS AND PANCETTA-WRAPPED PORK & PANCETTA PARCELS WITH CRANBERRIES (£6/325G)
COMMENTS: The parcels have a juicy filling with a nicely balanced ping of fruit that plays well against the saltier meat, and the pigs in blankets are well made, with proper sausages. HIGHLY COMMENDED: ALDI SPECIALLY SELECTED OUTDOOR BRED BRITISH PORK AND CHESTNUT STUFFING BALLS (£2.19/350G)
8 A vegetarian main course
WINNER: M&S HONEY ROAST PARSNIP, CHESTNUT AND CAMEMBERT PITHIVIER (£10/600G) COMMENTS: Crisp, golden pastry that looks homemade, a chunky veg filling with sweet parsnip, and savoury camembert.This looks impressive when put on the table and cuts nicely.
9 The Boxing Day centrepiece
WINNER: M SIGNATURE MORELLO CHERRY GAMMON JOINT (£8/1.1KG)
COMMENTS: Juicy, with a strong flavour and sweet, sticky glaze. The meat cuts well and tastes lovely hot or cold.
10 A standout starter
WINNER: ICELAND LUXURY 2 VINTAGE SOMERSET CHEDDAR SOUFFLÉS (£1.99/80G)
COMMENTS: Super-easy to cook with a light and fluffy texture and strong cheese flavour.A no-brainer for an easy dinner party starter.
11 Smoked salmon
WINNER: M&S BEETROOT & ORANGE SCOTTISH SMOKED SALMON (£9/200G) COMMENTS: The beetroot and orange make this smoked salmon extra special and give it a gorgeous colour. Firm-textured but not oily, the strong citrus notes come through and add spot-on sweetness.