Christmas Cooking

[PatsyMFagan]

[earthmaiden]

I think it is gold powder but wonder what lies between the mousse and the powder? I think it would need to be something firm which is why I think that the mousse may be wrapped in smoked salmon to create the balls before it is powdered.

[earthmaiden]

On the subject of bought Christmas goodies ....

I have just received a communication in the post from Waitrose extolling the virtues of this year's 'Heston' Christmas Pudding which is always 'different' to proper Christmas pudding (such as the one with the orange on the middle etc). This year we have 'Persian Spiced' Christmas pudding. Apricots, pistachios, Middle Eastern spices and a fragrant honey and rose butter centre.

Given that these novelty puds are usually quite expensive, would you be happy to unleash one onto your guests at the Christmas table untried, perhaps as a conversation piece, or would you just have to splash out and buy one to try first to see if you liked it?

By the way, I saw those M&S sparkly fish balls in a takeaway lunch pack in there the other day and may buy one just to see how they are made!

[Suelle]

I certainly couldn't afford to buy two of Heston's puddings (£16), so I'd have to offer it untried, as a talking point, alongside something home made. It sounds nice, as long as the rose flavour isn't too strong.

Heston is also doing banana and BACON trifles for Waitrose, and these are going to be offered in individual portions, as well as family sized, so there is an opportunity to try it first.

[earthmaiden]

Good idea to offer both! Hopefully the spices are individually listed on the pack so you can imagine it along with the honey and rose. £16 is an awful lot isn't it!

Not sure about the trifle, it sounds but would be fun to try the small one! Waitrose must do quite well out of the Heston novelties.

[Busybee]

I had bacon cream in Poland recently. It was delish, but to be honest it was more like a cream cheese rather than what we would term cream.

BB

[Suelle]

Look what I found on the Good Food site, from Christmas 2013 - a recipe for a Persian spiced pudding with rose and honey butter topping. Not from Heston!

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pers ... ney-butter

[earthmaiden]

I think we could make that for less than £16!!