Holiday Season

THE SMOKY MENU

11 December 2018 by Lisette Kreischer Leave a Comment

This menu is like a flavour bomb that explodes in your mouth! By incorporating a smoky element in every course, the dishes are deliciously savoury, yet chique and festive. This menu is especially suitable for culinary beasts and those who want to make some extra effort in the kitch this Christmas. The methods are not too complicated nor time consuming, but some experience (for example with a stovetop smoker) will come in handy and the diversity of the colourful and flavourful elements requirs some planning and organisation.

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PORTOBELLO ‘PROSCIUTTO’

11 December 2018 by Lisette Kreischer Leave a Comment

Melon coexists perfectly with smoky, savoury flavours. This is because the melon gives an umami-like aftertaste and therefore works very well with a savoury component. The smoked portobello is very tasty (get yourself a little stovetop smoker for Christmas!), and the crispy, cheeselike wafers and sweet-sour balsamic vinegar make all ingredients come together beautifully. This dish is a perfect, not too heavy start of your Christmas dinner.

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SMOKY TOFU PLATTER

11 December 2018 by Lisette Kreischer Leave a Comment

This dish is as colourful as it is tasteful. The cranberry-port compote goes really well with the tofu roast. The beautiful purple puree is just a sight for sore eyes. The slightly bitter chicory is lifted to a higher level by caramelising it and the slaw serves as a refreshment in the midst of all these flavour bombs.

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CHOCOLATE VOLCANO CAKES

11 December 2018 by Lisette Kreischer Leave a Comment

These devilish chocolate cakes are the definition of food porn. Who doesn’t like melted chocolate ganache oozing out of a fluffy cake? The added smoked salt, which pairs really well with the earthy tones of chocolate, makes it extra special and a beautiful finale of a smoky dinner party.

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RED CHRISTMAS SOUP

7 December 2018 by Lisette Kreischer Leave a Comment

This red roasted bell pepper soup is a wonderful Christmassy starter and will be loved by all family members. Not too heavy to digest, no difficult ingredients yet rich in flavour and heartwarming. The white bean hummus crostini is a the perfect accomplishment to this dish.

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FESTIVE VEGAN WELLINGTON

7 December 2018 by Lisette Kreischer Leave a Comment

This gorgeous wellington made from pieces of vegan chicken and stuffed with rich and divine ingredients is a real centerpiece. Classic carrots and pommes duchesse bring up all the good nostalgic feelings about what a Christmas meal should be like! If you’re worried about your schedule, you can ease the work by preparing some elements a day ahead, like the wellington (the flavours will even get better after a day!), and pommes duchesse. Just bake them for another few minutes in a hot oven before serving. This course is a crowd pleaser!

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WINTER WONDER TRIO

7 December 2018 by Lisette Kreischer Leave a Comment

This WINTER WONDER DESSERT TRIO is the perfect dessert to a classic menu. The stewed pears (a Dutch classic), are cooked in elderberry juice, which gives them a wonderful ‘musky’ flavour and a stunning deep purple colour. Tangerine and almond flirt with each other in the mini semolina cakes, and the ice cream brings all wintery flavours together whilst also being a refreshment after a good savoury meal.

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SPICY POPPED CORN

4 December 2018 by Lisette Kreischer Leave a Comment

Pop those kernels like crazy! But wait. This is not just another popcorn recipe… this is an ultra-delicious snack and simple AF to make! So try it out!

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DUTCH SPECULAAS CAKE

29 November 2018 by Lisette Kreischer 2 Comments

Around this time of year we Dutchies love to eat anything gingerbread-ish (speculaas). This rustic rye & almond gingerbread-cake serves those seasonal taste buds perfectly. And it also happens to be quite nutritious and delicious, and you can make it in a jiffy. Perfect to eat alongside a steaming hot cuppa. Enjoy!

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