Hints and Tips for Christmas Entertaining using Frozen Food

Friday 24 November 2017
Post in collaboration with Iceland Foods



A festive soiree with Luxury Food & Platters combined with hints and tips for using frozen food to make your festive entertaining easier. This Christmas let Iceland and the #PowerOfFrozen take the strain and help give you the best gift you can have: time with family and friends. 


Can I make a confession? As much as I love cooking it's the last thing I want to be doing at Christmas. At the most wonderful time of the year I want to be spending my time making memories with family and friends, not slaving over a hot stove. Does that make me a bad food blogger? I hope Santa doesn't think so! In an ideal world I want to be socialising in my little black dress with a glass of fizz in hand not sweating it out in the kitchen bedecked in a novelty festive apron. So how to help make this happen? The secret is the #PowerOfFrozen. Serving up freezer food to festive guests would once have been considered the ultimate social faux-pas. However times have changed and so has frozen food.


I've been working with Iceland for almost two years now helping to change perceptions of frozen foods and share the #PowerOfFrozen message. Prior to this I'd really only ever shopped there at Christmas for party food (surely we all remember the ubiquitous Kery Katona and the infamous Prawn Ring?!) Over the last two years Iceland have worked hard to up their game, change perceptions and increase their product range and I've been delighted to have been on that journey with them. They've certainly succeeded in changing my own perceptions of both frozen food and themselves as a brand. I reckon that they have surpassed themselves with this year's range of award winning and luxury products which can help you (and me!) create an impressive, elegant and showstopping party spread for whatever the festive occasion.


Even Nigella Lawson says "Your best friend at this time of year is your freezer". I'm not sure if the ultimate domestic goddess means that she'll be shopping at Iceland but I'm going to take her at her word whatever the intention. And if truth be told I will also be making plenty of Christmas food from scratch and popping it in the freezer in advance of the big day. With all that in in mind here's my reasons why you should use frozen food at Christmas and my top tips for doing so.

Why use Frozen Food at Christmas
  • Spend less time in the kitchen and more time with friends and family
  • Frozen food can help reduce food waste as unlike fresh food it does not go off within days.
  • Buying frozen ingredients saves time without breaking the bank.
  • Can help you to cater for all dietary requirements with gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan options.
  • Ideal for unexpected guests and impromptu get togethers, particularly as many products can be cooked straight from frozen.
  • An extra hand in the kitchen is always welcome (if only frozen food could help with the washing up)
  • With a well stocked freezer you won't have to brave the dreaded Christmas Eve supermarket shop
  • Frozen food can help you access luxury products you'd never consider buying fresh and preparing yourself such as lobster and crab

Top Tips for using Frozen Food at Christmas 
  • Check and double check which foods can be cooked from frozen and which need to be defrosted. 
  • When buying frozen party food check that it can all be cooked at (roughly) the same oven temperature.  
  • Always put an egg wash (or even milk wash) on frozen sausage rolls or similar pastry products before cooking to give them a tempting shine.
  • Avoid serving catastrophes by removing desserts from their packaging whilst they are still frozen and onto the dishes you’ll be serving them on. 
  • For a homemade touch, garnish savoury dishes with with fresh herbs, chutneys and pickles and for sweet treats decorate with fruit, berries or a sifting of icing sugar. 
  • Don't forget to buy Ice Cubes. Your G&T with the Queens Speech just won't be the same without them.
  • If you want to pretend that you made it all yourself from scratch be sure to hide the packaging well!





As an extended family we always have a 'party food' lunch on Christmas Day. This follows breakfast of Smoked Salmon,
Scrambled Eggs, Croissants and Champagne and precedes a traditional Christmas Dinner served late afternoon. I picked up a selection of Iceland Luxury Food & Platters for a trial run. My kids were well impressed with an impromptu midweek festive soiree for just the four of us Those that caught my eye instore within the £3 or any two for £5 range were: 

We tried out the Chicken Nachos with Salsa Dip and the Chicken and Chorizo Cups. Both went down really well with the kids yet were sophisticated enough for adult tastes. Of those yet to try I reckon I've hit gold with the Extra Mature Vintage Cheddar Soufflettes. These were the winner of Best supermarket Christmas canapés in the olive Christmas supermarket awards 2017 with the following comment - You cook these canapés straight from frozen (which is a bonus in our books) and they come out of the oven beautifully light and fluffy, with just the right whack of cheese


Out traditional Christmas Eve meal is a Fish Pie and for starters with we opt for a selection of seafood based nibbles. The Mini Crab Mac and Cheese above would also work really well for this but for for our test run I purchased:

My teenage son is a big sushi fan and given full reign of the kitchen would happily spend a whole day making it. However that ain't going to be happening at this time of year! This sushi platter is a most acceptable substitute, it's not on a par with freshly made but it sure beats the rather dried up offerings found in supermarket chiller cabinets - and it made a fantastic Christmas tree! The smoked Salmon snowflake terrine was so pretty and the creamy mousse delicious. However I should have taken my own (and admittedly the packaging...) advice and popped it out whilst it was still frozen - I'll know for next time. However for me the real factor came from the Coconut Leaf Prawn Parcels. I have quite literally never seen the likes of these! You can either cook them from frozen in a steamer for 10 minutes or pop them in the microwave for a couple of minutes. So unusual, super tasty and a real talking point at only £4 for eight parcels. 




Do let me know in the comments your reasons to have a frozen Christmas plus share any further tips on how to do so. But for now please Eat, Drink and be Merry this Christmas and let the #PowerOfFrozen take the strain. I most certainly will be!



♥ Pin me for later...
www.foodiequine.co.uk Top Tips for Christmas entertaining with Frozen Food. A festive soiree with Luxury Food & Platters combined with hints and tips for using frozen food to make your festive entertaining easier. This Christmas let Iceland and the #PowerOfFrozen take the strain and help give you the best gift you can have: time with family and friends.

Disclosure: This is a commissioned post for Iceland Foods. As always, all views expressed are my own.
Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me as a passionate Scottish Food Blogger to continue to share my Edible Food and Travel Adventures with you. I’m super choosy who I work with and promise to bring you only the cream of the crop.
30

Have a Big Night In and Win a Big Night Out

Wednesday 22 November 2017
Post in collaboration with Mackie's

What's better than a big night out? A big night in of course! The older I get the more appealing staying at home becomes. Food, drink, PJ's, slippers, cosy blanket and a box set is much more up my street these days than a night on the town. Staying in is the new going out dontcha know. Those Danes have got it right with their hygge. A Friday night of candles, cosiness and contentment wins hands down over high heels, blisters and taxi queues. The allure of staying in has reached irresistible proportions




If you're planning an upcoming evening of hibernation and relaxation rather than a night on the tiles, Mackie's have you covered with their Big Night In promotion which runs in Tesco Scotland stores from 15th November through to 6th December. During this time you'll be able to get all your favourite Mackie's treats on special offer. Popcorn, Crisps, Ice Cream and Chocolate. What more could you want for a big night in? That's surely the ultimate party platter right there. 




Initially famous for their Ice Cream, Mackie's of Scotland have expanded into other areas of everyday indulgence where they continue to tantalise tastebuds. As they continue to grow they remain committed to family values and place heritage and provenance at the heart of everything they do. The Crisps are made in Perthshire whilst the Ice Cream and Chocolate is made on the Mackie family farm in Rothienorman, Aberdeenshire.




Ice Cream

This is where it all began. Mackie’s were formerly a milk retail company and in 1986 began making ice cream utilising the cream surplus created by the market shift to semi-skimmed milk. The rest as they say is history.




Crisps

On offer as part of the Big Night In are Mackie's Ridge Cut Potato Crisps. Made using the best varieties of crisping potatoes and carefully selected seasoning with no artificial colours or flavourings. The gentle cooking method means you taste the potato, not the oil. Over the coming weeks you'll be able to pick up the full range, including their new ridge cut flavours of Sweet Chilli, Cheddar & Onion and Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar for only £1.




Popcorn

The new kid on the Mackie's block is their Popcorn. Available in Lightly Sea Salted, Sweet and Sweet & Salted it has recently been joined by new, indulgent Toffee Coated Popcorn. Available in Tesco Scotland stores as part of Big Night In for only £1 a bag until 6th December, it's the ideal opportunity to stock up for Christmas and New Year.




Chocolate
To add to the expanding range of ice cream flavours and potato crisps a chocolate factory was created in what was formerly the old tractor shed on the Mackie's farm. Here specialist Scottish equipment is used to refine, conche and temper chocolate to make a range of chocolate bars using the best in natural ingredients. Echoing their successful Ice Cream flavours the chocolate comes in Traditional Milk, Honeycomb, Dark 70% and Mint.



Share your #MackiesBigNightIn snaps on social media at 



Instagram @mackiescrisps 


Remember, if someone invites you out this weekend you can legitimately refuse by telling them that you’ve got “plans for a big night in". Because a plan to stay in still counts as a plan, especially when it involves Chocolate, Ice Cream Popcorn and Crisps!



To celebrate the Big Night In promotion in Tesco Scotland stores Mackie’s are offering a Big Night Out as a giveaway for readers of Foodie Quine. Grab your glad rags and dancing shoes for the chance to win two tickets to a show of your choice (subject to availability) at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow. This popular venue has loads of great gigs coming up over the next few months including Sam Smith, Jason Derulo and The Script to name a few!


To enter, follow the Rafflecopter instructions below and let me know in a comment 
"What would be your ideal Big Night In?

For additional bonus entries you can interact with me on social media.




Terms & Conditions

Entry into this giveaway will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions and those specified at Mackies Big Night In Terms & Conditions

The winner will be announced on the Rafflecopter widget after the prize has been claimed. 
There is ONE prize of the item listed above. 
There is no cash alternative and the prize is not transferable. 
This giveaway is open to UK entrants only and runs until midnight on Wednesday 6th December 2017. 
The winner will be picked at random and then contacted via email. 
Foodie Quine, as the promoter, reserves the right to cancel or amend the prize, giveaway and these terms and conditions without notice. 
Entrants must be over 18 years old. 
If the winner doesn’t respond to the email within 5 days, another winner will be picked.
Fulfilment of the the prize will be the sole responsibility of Mackies not Foodie Quine.






Disclosure: This is a commissioned post for Mackie's. As always, all views expressed are my own.

Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me as a passionate Scottish Food Blogger to continue to share my Edible Food and Travel Adventures with you. I’m super choosy who I work with and promise to bring you only the cream of the crop.
73

Adrenalin and Heights - The Best London Experiences

Tuesday 14 November 2017
London with teenagers. What's going to impress them? We've been to the UK's capital city with the kids a few times now and ticked the main touristy bits off the list. London Eye, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Open Top Bus Tour, London Bridge and so on. Now at 13 and 15 what was going to impress? Adrenalin and Heights! 

You may already have read about our trip down and back on the Caledonian Sleeper. Not sure the height of the bunk bed and the adrenalin of the bumps over the tracks count, but do give our review of Aberdeen to London on the Caledonian Sleeper a read. For the real deal on the best adrenalin and heights London experiences here's what we tried out during out time in the big smoke.





There's a reason that Thames Rockets are #1 in their category on Trip Advisor. They provide an absolutely amazing experience that combines sightseeing, speed, thrills and music. This is the first thing we headed to following disembarkation from the sleeper train and a hearty breakfast in Borough Market. Priced at £39.50 per adult (when booked online in advance) the Thames Rocket rib boats depart from the London Eye Pier right next to, you've guessed it, The London Eye. The weather was fab for our Ultimate London Adventure trip but if it's inclement they have waterproofs and goggles for you to wear alongside your lifejackets. The trip lasts for 50 minutes and to start with is rather sedate. We had skipper Andy at the helm and tour guide Joseph giving us an informative and humourous rundown of the sights pitched at just the right level for all ages - even the teenagers were enthralled! 


You really do get a different perspective of the city from the water but this whistle stop tour was only the warm up act. Once under Tower Bridge it’s time to tighten your grip as the engine revs, the speed whooshes up to 35mph and the sound system kicks in. AMAZING song choices which only added to the experience (lots of which I sing at Rock Choir so I was most definitely singing along) The twists and turns make it a thrilling white knuckle ride through the docklands whilst pretending you are James Bond. 


This is an absolute London must do, which I would happily do again and wholeheartedly recommend. My son reckoned that those that we sped past on more sedate river cruises were green with envy. On the trip back down the slower part of the river Joseph went round everyone on the boat finding out where they came from, the purpose of their visit and offering to take photos. Such great customer service really does make a difference. We disembarked feeling totally pumped with wide smiles and dishevelled hair. 


A trip to the top of The Shard (Western Europe’s tallest building) is something that I've wanted to do for a long time. It's become such an iconic building on the modern London Skyline, however a trip to the top doesn't come cheap. Standard price for an Adult is currently £30.95 so keep your eyes peeled for deals. With a pre booked time slot we were whisked quickly to the top and London’s highest viewing gallery via two lifts. Once up there, there's really not much to do apart from admire the views and enjoy a drink. We were lucky to get a clear and bright day so could see all the sights and also made use of the interactive Tell:scopes. A glass of Champagne was a must for the obligatory selfie and Instagram worthy capture. 


There were a couple of Virtual Reality experiences available which my son paid extra to participate in (£10 each or both for £15) I'm unsure if these are a permanent fixture or not. His verdict was a big thumbs up for The Slide but don't bother with Vertigo. We had to wait quite a while until his turn and to be honest we wouldn't have hung around so long otherwise. There's no time restriction once you're up but you'll have seen it all in 30 minutes. It's worth noting that restaurants at The Shard are entirely separate, they are located halfway down with no access to The View from The Shard. I'm glad to have ticked it off my list but it's not something I'd particularly rush to do again. However I do quite fancy spending a night there after reading my blogging colleague Helen's review of Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard.


Created by Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond the magnificent looping structure of the ArcelorMittal Orbit is an iconic symbol of the London 2012 Games. Located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park it was home to the BBC Sport Studio. It's the UK’s tallest sculpture and home to the world’s longest, fastest, tallest tunnel slide. Pretty much a giant red metal helter skelter. An adult combo entry and 'Ride The Slide' ticket costs £16.50 (when booked in advance online). It's located in Stratford right next door to the enormous Westfield shopping centre. Alas my teens aren't shoppers but we enjoyed lunch in the food court. On arrival the kids were keen to get on the slide as quickly as possible. Be aware that you need to leave all possessions in a locker at the base of the sculpture including phones/cameras/go-pros. Before sliding you are kitted out with head and wrist/elbow protection and you slide down in a giant body bag. 


The actual ride is really thrilling with plenty of twists and turns and was much, much longer than I expected it to be. We all really enjoyed it. The kids were absolutely desperate for a second go but tickets only include one ride. After collecting our belongings we travelled up to the top viewing platform. Rather disappointingly there's nothing at the top apart from the views and for us it wouldn't have been worth visiting if it wasn't for the slide element. Rather than take the lift back down we opted for the 455 stairs with their specially designed soundscape soundtrack of London. I'd absolutely recommend this method of descent as I found it fascinating. The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park itself is well worth exploring. We hired 'Boris Bikes' for this - best bargain of our visit! 


I LOVE a cable car and no matter where we are in the world if I spot one I want to travel in it. The Emirates Air Line is actually part of the Transport For London system but I suspect it is used much more by tourists than by commuters. It worked really well for us to travel one way between Royal Victoria Docks and Greenwich Peninsula. A single adult ticket is £3.50 (when booked online in advance) or you can use Oyster pay as you go. We were lucky to get a car to ourselves so plenty room to move around, admire the views and take photos. Commentary would have been good to add some context to the sights. Worth doing if you can tie in as a method of travel but possibly not as a stand alone experience. 


I never made it to the Millennium Dome in 2000 and until climbing over it I'd never even visited. A few weeks before our climb I was flying home from London City Airport and from the plane spotted a group of people climbing over the top. Eek! That was soon to be us. The original climb costs £30 per person for a 90 minute experience. You are kitted out with everything you need including boots. Personal possessions are left behind and get transported to the finish point. You can bring a phone or compact camera which gets zipped into a pocket and can only be used on the top viewing platform. 


Once kitted up with harnesses etc we made our way to the start of the climb with our instructor Victoria. She talked us through all the safety procedures and explained how all the equipment worked, time for some officiial photos and we were on our way. You are climbing on a 380m long fabric walkway suspended 2m above the surface of The O2 roof, 52m above ground level. To mirror the surface of the tent there is a slight bounce underfoot with an incline of 28° on the way up and 30° on the way back down. You are clipped on via your harness at all times. It really is a challenge to complete although you get slicker with the equipment as the climb progresses. At the summit, there is an observation platform where you spend 20 minutes and can take in spectacular views of London and get your phones and cameras out. The climb down is even steeper with some finding it easier to descent backwards. Up at the O2 was a great challenge to undertake and something really different to do on a city break. 


The views from the top are very different from those from The Shard and Sky Garden as you are adjacent to a different part of the Thames. We were really pleased with our official photos and purchased them in the gift shop - something we very seldom do. I'd love to do this again for a sunset or twilight climb. Was also interested to hear that they offer accessible climbs for wheelchair users which sounded like an amazing experience for all involved with a specialist wheelchair and four guides using a pulley system to assist. FAB-U-LOS was the verdict from the teens for this and it was their favourite of all the experiences we undertook. 


The big plus point for the capital’s highest public garden is that it's free to visit. However, you do need to book ahead to get a time slot which become available 2-3 weeks in advance. It was only when we actually got to London that I realised that the Sky Garden is in the building better known as the Walkie Talkie. Despite the booking system, there was quite a large queue to get in but it moved relatively quickly. 


Unlike The Shard the restaurants at Sky Garden are on the same level as the viewing area and if you have a restaurant booking you can skip the main queue. Again once you are up at the top there are no restrictions on how long you can stay. The actual space is much, much larger than the Shard and you have 360° views. Unfortunately for this we weren't lucky with the weather and because of this the outside area was closed. At the top you have plants, restaurants, cafe, bars but strangely no gift shop! Definitely worth a visit as a free alternative to The Shard. The Unlimited Brunch at Darwin Brasserie as reviewed by my blogging collegue Emma sounds like a tempting reason to return. 

♥ Pin me for later... 
www.foodiequine.co.uk Checking out the best of London's Adrenalin and heights expeiences for adults and teenagers. Including Thames Rockets, View form The Shard, The Slide at the ArcelorMittal Orbit, Emirates Air Line Cablecar, Up at the O2 and Sky Garden.

Disclosure: We experienced Up at the O2, The Slide at the ArcelorMittalOrbit and Thames Rockets as guests. 
All other experiences and extras were at our own cost. 
As always, all views expressed are my own. 
Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me as a passionate Scottish Food Blogger to continue to share my Edible Food and Travel Adventures with you. I’m super choosy who I work with and promise to bring you only the cream of the crop.
14

Boozy Gin Mincemeat

Monday 6 November 2017
Have yourself a Merry Little Ginmas with my recipe for Boozy Gin Mincemeat. Perfect for all those festive cakes and bakes and would make a great Christmas gift for a Gin lover.





We're into November. Halloween and Bonfire night have been and gone with a bang and we're now officially allowed to mention the C word. Yup I'm talking Christmas. Have you put your sprouts on to boil yet?! Of course in with all the shopping, parties and general festivities food (and drink!) plays a huge part. For me nothing says Christmas quite like a mincemeat pie. However I have to limit myself as once I start on them I literally can. not. stop. Last year I created quite a stir with a couple of Gin infused festive recipes. Yup, I'm talking about my Mulled Gin and Ginger Beer winter warmer and my Gin Butter - perfect for your Christmas Pudding and Mince Pies. This year I'm going a step further with my own homemade Boozy Gin Mincemeat. This means you can have a Gin Mincemeat Pie with a dollop of Gin Butter on the side all washed down with a warming glass of Mulled Gin. Sounds like a very Merry Ginmass to me!





There is no minced beef in mincemeat and if you use a vegetarian suet rather than the traditional beef you'll have a Vegan Gin Mincemeat. When it comes to the dried fruit you can either mix up 650g to your own specification or use the same quantity from a pack of dried mixed fruit. I've used raisins, sultanas, currants and craisins but you could also add more exotic flavours such as apricots, cherries, pineapple, ginger, or prunes. If nuts are your thing they too could also be added to the mix - almonds, pecans and pistachios work really well. When it comes to the Gin the world is quite literally your oyster! I used one of my favourite Scottish Gins - there are SO many to choose from. You could even use Sloe Gin or a Mulled Gin for a further festive twist. Slainte! 


Boozy Gin Mincemeat

150g raisins
150g sultanas
150g currants
100g craisins (dried cranberries)
100g mixed peel
OR 650g Mixed Dried Fruit instead of the above five ingredients
200g Shredded Suet (regular or vegetarian)
250g Soft Dark Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp freshly grated Nutmeg
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Mixed Spice
1 tsp Ginger
1 Lemon - zest and juice
1 Orange - zest and juice
2 Apples, cored and chopped (no need to peel)
150 - 200ml ml Gin

Prepare and mix all of the ingredients - EXCEPT the Gin - in a large ovenproof bowl/dish.
Cover with tinfoil and leave overnight.
The next day preheat your oven to 100c. Once it is up to temperature place the bowl/dish of mincemeat into the oven - still covered with the tinfoil.
Bake for 2 hours 30 minutes.
Remove from the oven and stir well (Don't be alarmed if it looks rather greasy at this point)
Once the mixture is cool stir in the Gin.
Spoon into sterilised jars, packing it down well.
Cover with waxed discs and seal.
Ideally, allow the mincemeat to mature for a fortnight before using.
It will keep in a cool dark place for up to 1 year.

Note from Delia: To sterilise jars, wash the jars and lids in warm soapy water, rinse well, then dry thoroughly with a clean tea cloth, place them on a baking tray and pop into a medium oven, gas mark 4, 350°F, 180°C, for 5 minutes.



♥ Pin me for later...
www.foodiequine.co.uk Have yourself a Merry Little Ginmas with my recipe for Boozy Gin Mincemeat. Perfect for all those festive cakes, bakes and mince pies and would make a great Christmas gift for a Gin lover.

9

Win a Golden Goose for Christmas Day

Sunday 5 November 2017
Go for gold this Christmas with Donald Russell's 23 carrat golden goose. Priced at £89 this is the ultimate in luxury for a truly showstopping Christmas Day centerpiece which is topped with edible gold leaf. Hand reared in spacious free-­range conditions for the highest quality as you would expect from Royal-warrant holding Aberdeenshire butcher Donald Russell.





The 3kg goose has a wonderfully rustic texture, unforgettable taste and a hint of gaminess reminiscent of good old-fashioned poultry. Topped with crispy skin and edible 23 carat gold leaf for ultimate indulgence. Putting an innovative twist on a much-loved classic, Donald Russell has created the perfect show-piece to sit proudly at the heart of your table. Feeding 4-6 people and taking just three hours to cook, the goose is best basted with a honey glaze to retain its shine. Dedicated to always delivering on excellence, Donald Russell’s exclusive and dedicated flocks of traditional White Feather Geese are hand reared in spacious free-range conditions by the exceptional farmers of Loué, France. 

I'm delighted to have teamed up with Donald Russell to make your Christmas sparkle with a Golden Goose. Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget below. The Goose will be delivered on 21st December 2017. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions
Entry into my giveaways will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions. 
The winner will be announced on the Rafflecopter widget after the prize has been claimed. 
There is ONE prize of the item listed above. 
There is no cash alternative and the prize is not transferable. 
This giveaway is open to UK entrants only and runs until midnight on 03 December 2017. 
The winner will be picked at random and then contacted via email. 
Foodie Quine, as the promoter, reserves the right to cancel or amend the prize, giveaway and these terms and conditions without notice. 
Entrants must be over 18 years old. 
If the winner doesn’t respond to the email within 5 days, another winner will be picked. 
The prize will be delivered to the winner by the brand directly on 21st December 2017 

Disclosure: Donald Russell have compensated me with product in return for running this giveaway and are supplying the prize. 

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