The Last Detail

For me, nice table decorations are essential to creating that perfect party ambience. So, when The Last Detail offered to send me some of their beautiful decorations in time for the festive party season I jumped at the chance. In addition to the Pretty Parlour Crackers above I was also lucky enough to receive.....

some elegant gold table crystals.....

Elegantly Entertaining Place Card Holders

and my favourite item, Pretty Parlour Table Talk , a cute box of conversation starting questions such as 'Where is your favourite place in the British Isles', 'If your wardrobe was on fire which three things would you save'. This item would be particularly good at weddings when often, guests don't know each other. I used all the items at a recent dinner party I hosted and everyone commented on how lovely the table looked and even though we all knew each really well, the Table Talk cards sparked some interesting conversations!

Go and check out their website, they also do wedding favours (I wish I'd stumbled on this website before my wedding!), childrens gifts and loads more coordinated table decorations for every occasion.

Giveaway - Delia's Happy Christmas

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

To win this lovely Delia book all you need to do is answer the following question;

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, a ......?........ in a pear tree.

If you need a CLUE have a look at my 12 Days of Christmas Wedding cake here.

The closing date for the competition is December 31st and the winner will be announced on January 1st 2010. I will post anywhere in the world so please have a go.

Leave your answer in the comments section and if you comment anonymously please also leave your name.

Hot Smoked Salmon and Spinach Pasta and Rory update

This was a revelation, so good and so so easy. I'd been to Waitrose and picked up 2 hot smoked salmon fillets for 85p!!, some fresh Pasta (250g) and a bunch of reduced Dill. All I needed to add was a dollop of Creme Fraiche from the fridge and a handful of Spinach (wilted in the pasta water for the last minute of cooking) - DIVINE (especially with a couple of glasses of white wine!!). Quick and easy meals like this are godsend in my house at the moment!

Rory at 5 weeks with his big sister Lowen.

Snow-Flecked Brownies

As Nigella says 'they are dark, damp and melt in the mouth' - and they really are! These festive snow-flecked brownies come from my favourite Nigella book 'Feast' and I whipped them up for a family gathering last weekend. The recipe makes 20 bars - a lot you may think - but I can assure you there wont be any leftovers.

Ingredients:
375g Unsalted Butter
375g Dark Chocolate
6 eggs
350g Caster Sugar
1 TBSP Vanilla Extract
225g Plain Flour
1 TSP Salt
250g White Chocolate Buttons

Method:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 180c. Line sides and base of 33 x 23 x 5cm tin with baking parchment.
Step 2: Melt butter and dark chocolate in heavy based saucepan over a low heat
Step 3: In a measuring jug beat eggs with sugar and vanilla extract
Step 4: Allow chocolate mixture to cool then add egg/sugar mix and beat well. Fold in flour and salt then stir in white chocolate.
Step 5: Pour brownie mix into tin and bake for 25 minutes
Step 6: Serve warm as a decadent dessert or cold as part of a Christmas buffet

Tefal Cube Rice Cooker

“VoucherCodes.co.uk have Argos discount codes which could help you pick up cookware for cheaper.”

Nigella swears by hers......so I wanted to find out what all the fuss was about. I am pleased to report I am now officially a rice cooker convert. No more stodgy rice for us, this lovely looking Tefal Cube Rice Cooker - available from Argos for £48.99, is a must have kitchen gadget in any keen foodie's kitchen.

I tried out a basic basmati rice recipe for starters - which produced lovely fluffy rice in just 14 minutes, and the rice cooker kept it warm until I was ready to dish up. I served it with my really easy Nutty Chicken Curry and Saag Aloo. 

And remember, check out VoucherCodes.co.uk to see what other savings you could make on your Christmas shopping.

Biscuiteers Christmas Biscuits from Interflora

So, you thought Interflora just did flowers right!...Wrong.

Visit their website and you'll see they do a fantastic range of festive food gifts and Christmas Hampers - perfect for family, friends and neighbours.

Victoria was kind enough to send me the Bicuiteers Christmas Biscuit Tin to review and despite a slight detour they arrived safe and well this morning (they had been on holiday in next doors porch for the last 2 weeks!!)

The biscuits come presented in a beautiful tin (which I will be re-using for my own cookies) and they really do look too good eat. But needs must!! I have a hard life!

They are made using the finest 100% cocoa powder, eggs, British butter and flour and  golden syrup. The biscuit mix is chilled and then hand cut using special cutters before being baked in a bespoke baker's oven, cooled and lovingly iced.

It says on the website that this makes a great gift for kids...but I know a few adults who would like these too!!