Juliet's Food Diary - grazing through Christmas
I’ve just celebrated World Week of Italian Cuisine. The Italian Cultural Institute really go to town for this and I was delighted to sample some exquisite Sicilian dishes whilst watching some expert chefs from ALMA, the Parma-based International School of Italian Cuisine, making them.
My nine year-old daughter polished off the most part of a tasty Arancini, a risotto ball of sorts, with saffron infused rice and a lamb filling. She also really enjoyed watching the chefs cooking, the appeal being that it was delivered so professionally. My favourite was the dessert, Cassatine Siciliane, a delectable sweetmeat of almond paste filled with ricotta, candied fruit, chocolate and sponge. Green and white with a glacé cherry on top, it looked like what I can only describe as a festive nipple. Many thanks to Sabrina from damianifinedining.com for cooking up the goodies.
I find adult advent calendars a bit of self indulgent nonsense, but will make a strong exception when they have food or drinkables
in them. I’m very impressed with Eteaket, who have created 25 days of loose leaf tea in their own advent calendar, including some of their most popular blends and two Christmas limited editions. From every £29.95 sale, £2 goes to Health in Mind charity and each day includes a tea routine "empowering you to pause and rebalance". Had we known what 2020 had in store we ought to have been issued with one of these a month.
My congratulations to Campbell Mickel on his recent acquisition of the Edinburgh institution that is Eddie’s Seafood Market. Campbell, also the chef/proprietor at Merienda in Stockbridge will definitely bring some flair to the proceedings. He has recently launched a seafood platter featuring lots of goodies including lobster, langoustines and home smoked salmon. Visit eat-merienda.com to order.
MILK cafes in Edinburgh have just launched their two course grazing platters to enjoy at home along with paired wines by L’Art du Vin. They look absolutely delicious and are available until December. 31. Before you ask, yes there’s a vegan one. Order at cafemilk.co.uk A further shout out for Cafe MILK: they’ve worked out a way to serve you coffee in your own reusable cup. It’s a Christmas miracle!
Whatever you have on during the festive season, whether its Zoom office parties, "bubbling" with family or friends, or spending Christmas solo, I hope you’ve at least got something delicious to eat and drink in front of you. One reason I’ve never been a fan of Hogmanay is that it heralds in the worst part of winter, however it seems there might be hopeful times ahead.
Fingers crossed.