So, it has been over year since I last added to my blog. It’s been a difficult year, but now, more than ever, I see the need to use technology, not only to communicate with others but also to hold myself accountable. These past few weeks have been challenging for everybody. We have been forced…
Category: Traditions
The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: ‘Vegging’ out at Christmas
I personally find the Christmas standard veg offering rather boring, ‘boiled’ or ‘roasted’ (aside from potatoes) seems so unimaginative and it doesn’t take much more time to ‘pimp’ those everyday vegetables up to new heights. I enjoy all veg, I try and stick to seasonal choices, however, aside from the somewhat more exciting spiced red…
The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: a change from turkey…my partridge (or pheasant) in a pear tree
Many people are becoming much more experimental in the kitchen and, where once, turkey or goose took centre stage, now there are many different options for the Christmas table. Aside from a good joint of beef, leg of lamb or meltingly soft slow-cooked pork shoulder many people look to game – especially in smaller households,…
The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: Getting ahead with Christmas, a Duo of Sublime Stuffings
Things which are time consuming relating to the Christmas Lunch are far better done early and the advantage of a good sized freezer makes preparing for Lunch extremely simple indeed. I like to serve two stuffings. One meat, and cooked separately from the bird, and one to stuff in the neck cavity, to take on…
The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: Fuss Free Canapés with a Welsh Twist
Last year my sister published her first book and asked me to make some canapés for the launch. I didn’t have much time to prepare, so wracked my brains for something quick, easy and delicious. I am extremely proud of my Welsh heritage and, as I have mentioned before, am a great believer in the…
The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: The Big Festive Breakfast
I have always been a great supporter of the ‘Full English Breakfast’. It is one of the few meals that can be almost entirely locally sourced, at any time of the year. A legacy of the great Country House breakfasts which were at their height in the 19th and early 20th century, these were full…
The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: Kitchen Essentials
Over the past few years, I have accumulated a huge amount of kitchen equipment. Aside from all the pieces brought for styling shoots, there is a core of ten or so items which I couldn’t be without, items which are used every day and make working in the kitchen much more pleasurable. Christmas is always…
The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: top tipples
Stocking the drinks cabinet is a chore we must all undertake at this time of the year, whatever your personal preference, relatives and friends’ preferences must also be taken into account and that bottle of Creme de Menthe hidden at the back of the under-sink cupboard surely cannot last another year. Interestingly, some…
The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: the fruity side of Christmas.
Proudly displayed on my wall, above my desk, is a bill of sale dated November 3rd 1845. It relates to the sale of fruit, preserves and pickles and is signed by my great-great-great Grandfather, who, along with his wife were the proprietors of a ‘Foreign and British, fruit, oil, Italian and fish sauce warehouse’ in…
The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: Variations on the Mince Pie
Every year, I do my utmost to avoid Mince Pies until, at least, the second week of December. The description ‘warm mince pie’ always sounds far better than the factory produced supermarket offerings which frequent gatherings, events and parties at Christmas. I believe that making your own is simple, far more satisfying and, it will…
Seasoned with Slow from The Pheasant Philosopher 