When you are doing your Christmas baking, shouldn't you reach for the Renshaws?

Smart home bakers know that the best help they can have in their kitchen are items from the Renshaw range.

Making a Christmas cake? Then reach for the Renshaws' edible icing ribbon, to give your cake that glamorous finish that will taste every bit as good as it looks.

And you'll find them in six very exciting and extremely Christmasy colours. Black, pink, blue, yellow, red or green.

And whilst you are at it, why not give your cake a bit of Chirstmas magic by adding some other items from the new Consumer Range from Renshaw's?

There's even something to keep the children happy and baking (under your careful supervision, of course!) with Magic Melting Icing, and Cool Coloured and the Funky Flavoured Sugardough!

For inspiration and full access to the range visit www.mybakes.co.uk and learn how Renshaw can help you be the baking expert that you really always knew you could be.

(EDITOR: But DO make sure some human helpers don't help themselves to too many of the icing products before you get to bake with them! But they are very tempting!)

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Get The Festivities Started With Byron Bay Cookies

The new Limited Edition Byron Bay Cookie has been developed to marry the classic flavours of indulgent dark European chocolate with the citrus punch of orange zest providing the perfect cookie treat for winter shoppers.

Each cookie is packed with over 30% premium European dark chocolate chunks and a hint of orange zest, to give a deliciously festive flavour that is sure to follow in the foot-steps of previous seasonal Limited Edition Byron Bay Cookies and be a big seller this winter.

"It has taken months of development to get a cookie that delivers the perfect winter taste as well as being on course with under-lying consumer food trends," commented Paul Maxwell, European Marketing Manager for Byron Bay Cookie Company.

"With extensive taste testing we are confident that we have the perfect winter accompaniment for any tea, coffee or hot chocolate. With the success of previous Limited Edition cookies such as Strawberries & Clotted Cream, Plum Pudding and White Chocolate Chunk and Cranberry we are confident that the Dark Chocolate Orange Cookie will be well received."

Since its launch in Australia during the mid 1990's, Byron Bay Cookie Company has become synonymous with impeccable quality, resulting in numerous awards from all over the globe. In 2008, to allay concerns over food miles, production of the world famous Australian cookie brand started in the UK. These UK-baked Byron Bay Cookies use locally sourced ingredients, free range eggs and premium European chocolate. They are fully approved by the Vegetarian Society and the gluten free range is certified by Coeliac UK. The UK baked product has already won the Vegetarian Societies Award for 'Best Approved Snack Product 2009' for the Triple Choc Fudge Cookie and nominated for the same category in 2010 for the 'Dotty' Cookie.

The new Byron Bay Limited Edition Dark Chocolate Orange Cookie is available from Cafes and Coffee Shops nation-wide. For more information about the full range of Byron Bay Cookies (including the new Limited Edition Dark Choc Orange Cookie) please visit www.byronbaycookies.co.uk

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Muddy Boots And Fine Burger Company Team Up to make this a very good Christmas, indeed!

Muddy Boots Real Foods Limited ("Muddy Boots") and Fine Burger Company are joining forces this Christmas to bring the Muddy Boots Camembert and Cranberry Christmas burger to the St Pancras and the O2 Fine Burger Company restaurants.

Robert Tame, founder Fine Burger Company, said, "This is a fantastic tasting Christmas burger. It's a limited edition offer and the taste is unique. Muddy Boots guarantee the same distinction and provenance that we look for in our own burgers and their Camembert and Cranberry Christmas flavour is really special. We're excited about working together and making burgers taste so good."

The Camembert and Cranberry burger will be on the menu from Monday 28 November until Christmas and Roland and Miranda will be handing out free samples on Wed 30 November and Friday 9 December too.

Roland Ballard, co-founder of Muddy Boots, said: "We have always really liked Fine Burger Company and their dedicated approach to sourcing quality beef and ingredients. We are so excited they like to have a bit of fun with burgers too and we hope that the affiliation this Christmas will go down well with each of our regulars and help introduce both brands to new customers."

Muddy Boots already has a busy lead up to Christmas with its limited edition Camembert and Cranberry beef burger hitting the shelves of Waitrose and helping to launch two new retail contracts with Midcounties Co-Operative and Budgens this month too. The Christmas burger combines the succulent top cuts of Aberdeen Angus beef, which Muddy Boots always uses in its burgers, with the smooth creaminess of the Camembert and the sweet bite of the cranberries.

FACTFILE:

Muddy Boots: www.muddybootsfoods.co.uk
Fine Burger Company: www.fineburger.co.uk

Muddy Boots Real Foods Ltd is a Worcestershire based beef burger company that was founded in December 2008 by Roland and Miranda Ballard.

They featured in BBC One's High Street Dreams in May 2010 and are now stocked in 41 Waitrose stores, with Ocado, Midcounties Co-Operative, Budgens and with some independent retailers and restaurants. They also sell their burgers through their online Muddy Boots foodhall.

Fine Burger Company was founded by Robert Tame in 2003, when he began his mission to upgrade the burger. Everything on the menu is fresh, locally sourced and completely free from additives, preservatives, colourings and GM nasties. The company now has four sites in London: Islington, O2, St Pancras and ExCel Exhibition Centre.

Have Yourself A Very Godminster Christmas

The cheese came to life after Godminster owner Richard Hollingbery bought Godminster Farm and had the waxed cheese made using milk from the farm as a thank-you gift for friends. The cheeses were a great success, so much so that Richard decided to that he should begin making the cheese commercially and as a result the Godminster brand was born.

These days no cheese board is complete without a Godminster cheddar, its rich wax coating making it especially popular at Christmas.

The cheese, which is available in 2kg, 1kg and 400gm rounds as well as a 400gm heart, is delivered beautifully packaged in distinctive Godminster colours, making it an ideal gift for a foodie friend.

Godminster also produces an oak-smoked Godminster cheddar. "We use the same mature cheddar as in our waxed truckles and cold smoke it over oak chippings sourced from sustainable woodland", said Richard Hollingbery, Godminster's owner. These are then hand-wrapped in muslin, making the perfect addition to the Godminster range.

Richard adds: "Our cheeses have been a great success' so much so that over the years we have developed a number of foodie gifts, which always include the cheese, of course! My personal favourite as a traditional Yorkshireman is the cheese and fruit cake combination. When you eat the cheese we find there is no need to remove the wax before cutting. In fact, we find our cheese keeps its creamy consistency best if you keep it in the wax.

"The cheese can be scooped or sliced. Either score around the top and use it as a lid, scooping the cheese out, or cut through the wax like you would a cake. If there's any left replace the lid, wrap the whole cheese in cling film and refrigerate."

The organic cheddar starts at £14.95 and is available from www.godminster.com

Donald Russell On How To Cook The Perfect Turkey

Donald Russell's free range turkey, sourced from the beautiful Loué region of France. These turkeys are slow grown and traditionally bred to give a wonderful plump, meaty, turkey taste.

The Donald Russell turkey is priced at £56, feeds 6-8 people and is available from www.donaldrussell.com

Please find below tips from Donald Russell on how to cook the perfect turkey:

* Weigh your bird to calculate the cooking time and place in a preheated oven at 230C/450F/Gas7 for 30 minutes.

* After 30 minutes reduce the temperature to 180C/360F/Gas4 and cook for a further 15-18 minutes per 450g.

* Rest for 20-30 minutes. If you need to keep the bird warm for longer, cover with oil and lower the oven to 60C. Your turkey will stay warm for up to an hour.

(EDITOR: Those tips are clear, concise and to the point. Could it be that the long-winded advice from some experts cause more confusion than enlightenment?)

Christmas Made Easy With Heart Of Gold's Christmas Cake Cupcakes

The season of goodwill is fast approaching so why not keep your spirits up and be of good cheer with this healthy and incredibly easy-to-make alternative to Christmas cake, made with Heart of Gold Rapeseed Oil!

Heart of Gold is a 100% natural, pure, rapeseed oil grown, produced and bottled by farmer Nick Bradley on his farm overlooking the picturesque Vale of Belvoir, on the Lincolnshire/Leicestershire border.

Bursting with flavour - chef Tristan Welch of Launceston Place deemed it tasted ‘like a summer’s day!’ - and oozing with healthy goodness, Heart of Gold is grown, pressed, triple-filtered (for maximum purity, taste and nutritional content) and bottled in the same square mile, making it a completely sustainable and traceable British product, originating from fields right in the Heart of England.

Rapeseed oil enjoys many health and culinary benefits. It has been proved to contain only half the saturated fat of olive oil and is packed with Vitamin E (a natural antioxidant) and Omegas 3, 6 & 9. In addition, it’s free from preservatives, trans-fats and artificial colourings, all of which make it the ideal choice for lowering cholesterol and promoting a healthy heart.

It can be used either cold or hot - where its high flashpoint makes it particularly versatile, but what many people don’t realise is that rapeseed oil can be used in baking as well!

This delicious Christmas Cake Cupcake recipe has been devised for Heart of Gold by local Lincolnshire cupcake supremo, Kate Elizabeth of Enchanting Cakes www.enchanting-cakes.com and the results are simply mouth-watering. The quantities of mixed fruit and marzipan can be altered according to taste, and the mixture can equally well be used for one whole cake, or doubled up for a super-sized one!

Say goodbye to the days of sad-looking Christmas cake, still sitting there in its tin at Easter, and welcome the arrival of a light, moreish and healthy Christmas cake cupcake, which you can whip up in a matter of minutes – although be warned, it will probably be devoured just as quickly!

Heart of Gold Christmas Cake Cupcakes

Makes 12 cupcakes

Equipment


Mixing bowl

Electric whisk/ wooden spoon

Spoon/ ice cream scoop

Spatula

12 cup muffin pan

12 muffin cases



Ingredients

3oz (75g) unsalted butter OR Margarine *butter will produce a richer sponge*

3oz (75g) Heart of Gold Rapeseed oil

6 oz (175g) Dark brown sugar

3 eggs

8oz (225g) self-raising flour

3 1/2 oz (100g) mixed dried fruit

2oz (50g) chopped golden marzipan


Before you start

Line a 12 cup muffin tin with muffin cases.

Pre heat oven, 180oC, 160oC fan oven, gas mark 4.


How to make

1. Using a wooden spoon or electric whisk if possible soften the butter in a bowl until it forms a creamy soft texture.

2. Add in the Heart of Gold rapeseed oil and combine with the butter.

3. Add in the dark brown sugar and mix well with the butter/rapeseed oil.

4. Add the eggs one by one into the mixture until all 3 are well mixed in. Adding the eggs one by one also prevents from spoiling the mixture if you happen to come across a bad egg.

5. Sift in the self-raising flour and bring the mixture together.

6. Finally stir in the mixed dried fruit and marzipan.

6. Divide the cake mixture between the 12 muffin cases using a spoon or ice cream scoop.

7.Place on the middle shelf in the oven for 20 minutes. If are unsure if the cupcakes are baked after 20 minutes gently press the top of one of the cupcakes. It should feel spongy and bounce back up.

8. Once baked remove from the oven and allow to cool on a cool wire.

Decorate with some Christmas sparkle and enjoy!

Festive Food For All Budgets At Aldi

Whatever your budget, Aldi has everything you need for your Christmas Day festive feast. From traditional fresh British turkey to melt-in-the-mouth mince pies, you're guaranteed to impress your guests with the quality of your dishes - and all at the lowest possible price.
Don't forget, Aldi Special Buys are only available as long as stocks last, so don't miss out!

Luxury at Aldi...

NEW! Four Bird Roast - 1.48kg, £9.99

A new twist on one of Aldi's most famous Christmas dishes, the handmade Four Bird Roast includes turkey, goose and duck breast meat layered with a pork, sage and onion stuffing, all wrapped in a basted chicken breast. This delicious dish also includes a marmalade glaze, specially created by TV chef Phil Vickery.


Frozen Whole Stuffed Duck - £8.99, 1.4kg

This whole, deboned, stuffed duck is perfectly prepared to make serving guests easy and is also a great addition to turkey come Christmas Day.

This product is a Special Buy, on sale 30th November and available as long as stock lasts.

(Awaiting image from McCann)

Frozen Whole Goose - £19.99, 4.8kg

A traditional Christmas meat, goose is making a comeback to the season's festivities. Aldi's delicious and succulent Whole Goose is great value at £19.99. Serve with roast potatoes, fresh vegetables and piping hot gravy.

This product is a Special Buy, on sale 30th November and available as long as stock lasts.

Specially Selected Roast Potatoes in Goose Fat - £1.39, 1kg

These roast potatoes with a soft, fluffy centre and crispy golden coating are a firm favourite with families.

Phil Vickery says: "These are always a winner with me and my family; the potatoes are perfectly sized, cook really well and taste delicious."

This is a seasonal product, on sale from 5th October 2011 throughout the Christmas period.


New! Specially Selected Yorkshire Puddings - 99p, Pack of 4

Try these delicious Specially Selected Yorkshire Puddings - a bargain at 99p.

Phil Vickery says: "These are very good indeed; they look homemade and are perfect for a family Christmas dinner."

This is a seasonal product, on sale from 5th October 2011 throughout the Christmas period.



New! Specially Selected Lobster Tails - £11.99 each

Add a real touch of class to Christmas starters with Aldi's luscious Specially Selected Lobster Tails. A new addition to Aldi's seasonal range, these easy to cook lobster tails taste really great. Each pack contains two tails.

This product is a Special Buy, on sale from 30th November for as long as stocks last.

Specially Selected Christmas Pudding - £3.49, 454g

This decadent Christmas pudding is made with the finest vine fruits, crunchy almonds, glacé cherries and pecans. It is generously laced with sherry and Cognac, with a good helping of candied peel and mixed fruit to add a little festive zing. Matured for a minimum of six months for a rich flavour, it is perfect served with brandy cream.

This is a seasonal product, on sale from 31st October 2011 throughout the Christmas period.

New and Improved! Luxury All Over Iced Christmas Cake - £6.99, 1.2kg

This Luxury All Over Iced Christmas Cake is new and improved for 2011 and is set to give fruit cake fans a real treat. Made from only the finest natural ingredients, including juicy sultanas marinated in French Brandy, natural coloured cherries and fragrant lemon zest, it is jam-packed with festive flavour.

This is a seasonal product, on sale from 28th November 2011 throughout the Christmas period.

Specially Selected Mince Pies - £1.69, Pack of 6

The epitome of Christmas, no dinner table is complete without an abundance of mince pies. Aldi's Specially Selected Mince Pies are filled with the finest Mediterranean fruit, which has been dried naturally in the Mediterranean sun, then laced with French Brandy and a hint of mixed spice for a festive kick. The luxurious filling is wrapped in an all-butter pastry and oven baked until golden brown.

This is a seasonal product, on sale from 18th September 2011 throughout the Christmas period.

Extra Thick Brandy Cream with Courvoisier VS Cognac - £1.49, 250ml

At Aldi you will find everything you need for the festive season, including the ideal dessert accompaniment - a decadent double cream combined with Courvoisier VS Cognac and French Brandy. Jazz up a warm mince pie or add a touch of sophistication to Christmas pudding with this indulgent brandy cream.

This is a Special Buy product, on sale from 5th December 2011 for as long as stocks last.


Veuve Monsigny Premier Cru Champagne - £15.99, 75cl

An ideal pre-dinner treat, Veuve Monsigny Premier Cru Champagne hails from a village in the Champagne region of France which is highly rated for the quality of its wines. With subtle aromas of brioche and pear and a delicate flavour of honey and bright fruits, this elegant Champagne is a must-have buy for the Christmas celebrations.

This product is a Special Buy, on sale from 4th December for as long as stocks last.

On a Budget at Aldi...

Holly Lane Mince Pies - £0.99, Pack of 6

If you are on a strict budget this Christmas, you can still keep the cupboards well stocked with some of Aldi's great value festive treats. You will find these bargain buys at just 99p for six. (EDITOR: But these value products from Aldi taste as good as some retailer's 'quality' ranges! )


60 Piece Snack Selection - £4.00, 1.2 kg

The ultimate saviour for Boxing Day buffets, this 60-piece snack selection is all you'll need to impress guests who are bored with turkey. Available in Chinese or Indian, at just £4 each you could serve up both.

This product is a Special Buy, on sale 30th November and available as long as stock last.


Duck Spring Rolls - £1.00, 144g, pack of 8

Keep these stocked up for either a Christmas Eve celebration or a Boxing Day buffet. Available in packs of 8, these tasty Duck Spring Rolls will add some oriental flair to the season and make your guests think you've spent a small fortune. They are a must-have for the perfect host.

This product is a Special Buy, on sale 30th November and available as long as stock lasts.


Filo Prawns - £2.00, 192g, pack of 16

Available in packs of 16, Aldi's Filo Prawns are an ideal starter for Christmas dinner. They are fuss-free and easy to cook, so you'll have time to concentrate on perfecting your main course.

This product is a Special Buy, on sale 30th November and available as long as stock lasts.

Bramwells Cranberry Sauce - 59p, 200g

This classic cranberry sauce is a must-have with a delicious Christmas dinner and all the trimmings. The mouth-watering condiment is packed with juicy cranberries, and its re-sealable packaging will make it last well beyond the festive season.

Gateau - £1.99, 630g/ 600g

Spoil your guests with Aldi's delicious gateau, available in three indulgent flavours: chocolate, strawberry or Black Forest.

This product is a Special Buy, on sale 30th November and available as long as stock lasts.


Philippe Michel Crémant du Jura Sparkling Chardonnay - £6.99, 75cl

A multi-award winning wine, Philippe Michel Crémant du Jura is a decadent sparkling Chardonnay, worthy of any festive celebration.

Available in stores all year round.

And don't forget the Festive Drinks offering from Aldi!

Picking the perfect party aperitif or finding the ideal wine for a festive dinner doesn't have to break the Christmas budget this year. With Aldi, there's a great-value top tipple for every occasion.

Grandi Mori Prosecco Spumante Magnum - £12.99, 1.5 litres

This product is a Special Buy on sale from 4th December for as long as stocks last.

Christmas parties call for a glass of fizz, and with this Grandi Mori Prosecco Spumante Magnum, which is twice the size of the average bottle, there's more than enough to keep a gaggle of guests happy. The bubbles in this light and refreshing Prosecco make way for attractive autumn fruits and delicate floral touches. At just £12.99 per bottle, this is an extra-large treat, without the extra-large price tag.

Philippe Michel Crémant du Jura Sparkling Chardonnay - £6.99, 75cl

Available in stores all year round.

A multi-award winner, Philippe Michel Crémant du Jura Sparkling Chardonnay is produced in the same way as Champagne. Made from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown on the slopes of the Jura Mountains, its second fermentation, which creates the sparkle, is carried out in the bottle. This refreshingly dry vintage has crisp citrus notes and a pleasing length, meaning that it would be well-matched with light starters, such as seafood.

Philippe Michel Crémant du Jura Sparkling Chardonnay has scooped an array of awards, including Silver International Wine Challenge 2011, Bronze International Wine & Spirit Challenge 2011 and Quality Drink Awards Finalist 2011.

Freeman's Bay Sauvignon Blanc - £5.49, 75cl

Available in stores all year round.

Looking for a white wine to wow dinner guests? Then look no further than Aldi's well-respected Freeman's Bay Sauvignon Blanc, which is a stunning match for fish and seafood. Zesty, refreshing and packed with ripe gooseberries, this wine from New Zealand's Marlborough region is a superb vintage with a surprising length for such a young wine.

Freeman's Bay Sauvignon Blanc received a Bronze award in the International Wine Challenge 2011.

New! Baron Amarillo Rioja Reserva 2006 - £5.99, 75cl

Available in stores all year round.

Aldi's latest wine is a full-bodied, classic Rioja Reserva, which has been carefully aged in oak casks for three years and has intense red fruits leading to hints of blackcurrant and cherry. Add to this the perfectly balanced festive flavours of fine vanilla and oak spices, and you have the perfect accompaniment to Christmas roast meat dishes.

Bushland Premium Estate Barossa Valley Shiraz - £4.99, 75cl

Available in stores all year round.

Full-bodied with a soft, earthy and spicy style, this festive tipple has rich black cherry and creamy chocolate flavours. Carefully picked from a selection of Southern Australia's finest wine estates, this stylish, classic Barossa Shiraz is an ideal partner to a wide variety of rich Christmas meat dishes.

Specially Selected Irish Cream Liqueur - £5.99, 70cl

This is a Seasonal Product on sale from 30th October for as long as stocks last.

A festive classic with a smooth, mellow finish, Specially Selected Irish Cream Liqueur is perfect for a Christmas nightcap or an indulgent addition to after-dinner coffee. Made with Aldi's exclusive blend of fresh cream and Irish whiskey and priced at just £5.99, it also makes a fantastic-value gift for Mum or Grandma with no compromise on quality.

An award winning product, Specially Selected Irish Cream Liqueur won a Bronze award in the International Spirits Challenge 2011.

Taylor's Ports

Taylor Fladgate and Yeatman joined together to start making Port wine in 1692. In that time nations have been founded, have grown, crumbled and faded away, wars have been fought but Taylor's Port continues to be made by the same families who created their Port wine dynasty near 320 years ago.

Taylor's 10 Year Old Tawny Port is aged for 10 years in wooden casks and is then carefully bottled. And it should then be carefully drunk, to ensure that the warm, rich tastes of a combination of fruits is not wasted.

My wife and I have a special Christmas tradition. Every year just before Christmas we like to take some Stilton cheese, some mince pies  and some Taylor's 10 Year Old Tawny Port and settle down to some festive feasting whilst watching the 1951 version of Scrooge. Sometimes we also watch the George C. Scott version, filmed in Shrewsbury, too.

If we do not have any Taylor's 10 Year Old Tawny Port to hand, we instead will replace this with an extremely good substitute, some Taylor's Late Bottled  Vintage Port, which being younger that the Taylor's 10 Year old Tawny Port, has a different range of equally appealing fruity flavours, but is a little less well-developed.

This year my wife and I were both suffering from colds. My wife remarked: "Are you starting to feel better?" I had to acknowledge that I was starting to feel a  little warmed and that my cold was now nowhere near as oppressive as it had been, before I had started to drink the Port.

My wife took another sip of her Taylor's, smiled, and said in tones of extreme satisfaction: "No wonder doctors used to prescribe Port!"

Taylor's 10 Year Old Tawny Port costs from £19.99 and is available from E. H. Booths, Majestic, Morrison's, Sainsbury, Selfridges, Teso, Wholefoods Market and Waitrose.

Taylors Late Bottled Vintage Port should cost you from £13.99 a bottle and is widely available.