KENTMAS
A KENTISH CHRISTMAS CONT .
Combine baking and decorating with insideKENT ’ s Christmas Tree Favours
Ingredients :
• 175g butter ( we used Kent Cowslip Butter )
• 125g granulated sugar
• 125g soft brown sugar
• 1 egg & 1 egg white ( we used Rosewood Acres Eggs )
• 1 / 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• Icing sugar , sifted
• Festive food colourings
• Christmas cookie cutters
• Ribbon , raffia or parcel string
Method :
1 . Beat the butter with all the sugar in a bowl until fluffy . Gradually beat in one egg . Sift the flour , salt , and cinnamon and fold this into the butter mixture beating well . Press into a ball .
2 . Roll this out onto a floured work surface with a rolling pin until half a centimetre thick . Using Christmas cookie cutters , cut out your shapes . Using a straw , cut a hole in each biscuit to thread your ribbon through later .
3 . Lift the favours onto greaseproof paper on a baking tray and bake in the oven at 180 º C for 15 minutes or until golden and firm . Leave them to cool .
4 . To make the icing , beat the egg white until frothy and gradually combine with sifted icing sugar to make a stiff consistency .
5 . Colour the icing and pipe patterns , names , stripes or anything you like on the biscuits . Once the icing has dried , thread your ribbon of choice through the hole and hang up on the tree away from any peckish pets or little hands !
insideKENT ’ S TIPS FOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AND WHERE TO MAKE THOSE EXTRA-SPECIAL FOODIE PURCHASES
MACKNADE
Christmas is the busiest time of year for cooks . As well as an elaborate Christmas lunch to prepare , there ’ s also likely to be entertaining to organise : drinks parties , festive dinners and plenty of buffets and suppers for friends and family . Don ’ t become exhausted by endless rounds of shopping and cooking , let us help you plan all your Christmas food as painlessly as possible .
There is never as much time as you think for Christmas shopping . One moment you are quietly laughing to yourself to see mince pies on shop shelves already , and the next you ’ re praying you haven ’ t left it too late to order a turkey and wondering whether everywhere has sold out of cranberry sauce . (* hums Waitresses Christmas Wrapping * ‘ You mean you forgot cranberries too ’). To avoid and minimise any food shopping stress , start early and make space for extra purchases by clearing the cupboards of old redundant tins , boxes and products that are taking up space . A clearout is sure to give you the festive inspiration you might need to fill the pantry with goodies , and vice versa .
Leave the fresh items to the days before Christmas Eve but no later , to ensure optimum freshness and taste while avoiding the rush . Order drinks and long lasting items in advance , and always make a list ! We recommend splitting your list into these five sections : ‘ store cupboard basics ’ ( including items such as spices and chutneys as well as basic snacks like crisps ), ‘ one week before Christmas items ’ ( includes , biscuits , cheese , chocolates and eggs ), last minute list ( includes everything fresh such as cream and veggies ), ‘ drinks list ’ and ‘ main items ’ that you may want to pre-order ( turkey and ham ).
Where to shop to get the best taste of Kent
Macknade , Faversham www . macknade . com
A true foodie haven with everything you could possibly desire for a delicious Kentish Christmas at its very best . Home to a beautifully stocked farm shop , delightful eatery , their very own butcher , a delicious delicounter with cured meats and olives galore , and even a fabulous florist for those yuletide decorations . Expect a diverse range of vibrant local produce and upmarket international , predominantly Italian , products that honour the heritage of owner Stefano . This includes all the Italian Christmas cake favourites , so there ’ s no better place to purchase a panettone . Chutneys , jams , pickles and preserves shine like jewels on the shelves , and rest assured your Christmas cheeseboard will be no less than magnificent if you buy your fromage here . The helpful and knowledgeable staff , all experts in their field , will help you make those difficult decisions - this includes the professional butchers and designated wine shop . Artisan snacks perfect for whipping out as impressive nibbles are also stocked at Macknade - so if it ’ s quality and taste , with a lot of Kent and a little bit of Italy thrown in - there ’ s no place better .
55