Get ready for the Party Season with Fabulous Food and Drink
As the night's drawn in and the chill takes over we will be looking for ways to spend time with the family, occupy the kids and pass those darker nights. And what better than to share some quality time with a home movie night.
Grab the latest DVD release, plump up the sofa cushions and grab the pop and popcorn to enhance your viewing pleasure because the movies aren't the movies without the popcorn and pop.
But instead of opting for just any old popcorn why not try some of Joe & Steph's Gormet Popcorn - air popped not fried to reduce the calories
Whilst many flavours only coat regular popcorn, Joe & Steph have managed to lock their flavours right through to the core of every piece of corn, and the nasty hard bits have all been removed before they bag their tasty treat for the ultimate in enjoyment of this perfect product. We can certainly recommend the Goat's Cheese & Black Pepper for savoury lovers.
Fizzy pop is being ousted in favour of more healthy alternatives so keep everyone happy with some bottles from Luscombe Drinks who have been making beautiful drinks since 1975 on a farm in deepest Devon. This family owned business source ingredients direct from growers they trust to create refreshingly tasty juices. Available online from Abel & Cole and Goodness Direct.
If you are looking for something a little more cordial then Mr Fitzpatrick has an extensive range available online. Mix with some lemonade for a new twist on fizzy drinks for your movie nights in and party season softer options.
For party pickles and sauces from in-season products Garden of England Foods have a tasty range available and for pickled eggs Purely Pickled Eggs come in a variety of flavours from garlic to chilli and even beetroot options.
Gluten intolerant? The Original Egg Company have the ideal solution. Their unique use of rice vinegar gives their British free range eggs a much sweeter and milder taste, while still being deliciously tasty, versatile and gluten-free.
For sweeter treats, memories of rose scented Turkish Delight covered in a dusting of icing sugar still linger for many and now you can recapture the moment with a selection of flavours available to buy on Amazon from Truede.
Winter wouldn't be complete without a glass of mulled wine. But, if like us, you can't always get the mix just right and end up with a batch of over-spiced hot wine then to create the delightfully traditional aroma that brings festive feelings to mind Selsley Foods have created the perfect mix in time for all your Christmas gatherings.
Their non alcoholic syrup contains a special blend of spices to provide a simple and convenient way to make the most delicious mulled wine, cider or apple juice. A 500ml bottle contains enough syrup to make a minimum of six bottles of wine and even after opening the product can be stored at ambient temperature for long periods of time. And it's uses are not limited to simply 'mulling' - drizzle a small amount over a good quality vanilla ice cream to produce a truly wonderful festive dessert, add to fresh fruit (especially pears) or even to the Sunday roast gravy to enhance the overall flavour of the meal.
Looking for something a little sweeter to drizzle? The Selsley range of sweet syrups are ideal for ice cream, pancakes, waffles, fresh fruit and a variety of other puddings.
If you need to buy a gluten-free Xmas Pud then the makers at Pudding Lane may be able to help you out. Hand-Made with the finest Vine fruits, locally baked fresh gluten-free breadcrumbs, fresh local free range eggs, rice flour and unmalted brandy, their traditional tasting pudding is made in the traditional method, still supremely moist while being wheat, dairy and lactose Free.
And for the ultimate luxury at your social party nothing shouts decadence more than champagne and caviar. Of course in these austere times such self-indulgence may be viewed as a luxury too far but if the budget allows Persia Caviar supplies the finest Beluga Caviar.