Welcome to Sharing the Table…
Every year I imagine Christmas will tap me on the shoulder as a reminder it is coming but instead it seems I turn around to find it standing right in front of me yet again! This last year seems to have taken just a snap of my fingers to reach its conclusion. I think this time of year finds us all more than ready to relax with family and friends around a table laden with favourites – it seems a just reward! No doubt we all have things yet to tick on our pre-holiday ‘to do’ lists, but I’m hoping we’ll be able to help you out with some of the ideas below. Read on…
A Pearl by Any Other Name…
If a name change is as good as a holiday then our Sparkling Ruby Cabernet really is a drink worth celebrating. Initially commissioned for the Middle Eastern market, Sparkling Ruby Cabernet began its life as Desert Pearls; a sophisticated, alcohol-free, food friendly wine that will be familiar to a lot of you. I was so excited after the wonderful feedback from the UAE that I really wanted to share Desert Pearls with Australia too. The trick was convincing a nation of keen wine drinkers that this alcohol free, sparkling cabernet was worthy of a place at the table! And while the name Desert Pearls sufficed for a while I never really felt it completely did justice to such a great drink in amongst so many terrific Australian wines. Desert Pearls told the story beautifully in Dubai but well seasoned Australian wine lovers like to get to know the varietal behind the name - so I would like to (re) introduce you to our Sparkling Ruby Cabernet. With the same evocative aromas of rose petals and crushed strawberries, complemented on the palate with green tea characters and sour cherry flavours, any Desert Pearls devotee can be assured the only change has been to the label.
Gift Giving with Edible Ease
When it comes to sending out a perfectly timed, perfectly chosen gift, I suspect many busy people begin to think, “Oh, I wish someone else would magically take care of this!” which is the very reason I’ve added another hamper, Maggie's Favourites, to our range this Christmas. Hampers make sense to me, and I love receiving them, but only if every single product is as delicious as the next. With that in mind, I’ve hand-picked a collection of shortrun products and recently released goodies to make it extra special.
The Sweet Taste of Bitter Seville
It’s just wonderful that we have so many Vino Cotto devotees that share my passion for what has become another staple in my cooking. Every time I use vino cotto, further ideas whirl around in my mind as to what we could do next. Cooking pork belly recently, I imagined that wonderful bitter edge only Seville oranges can give and could just about taste the next vino cotto in the range before it was made! Inspired by Mediterranean cuisine our new Seville Vino Cotto is also perfect to include in a chocolate bread and butter pudding, drizzle over Crème Catalan or use just as is, for a sauce with pork belly, as mentioned.
Food Flash!
Make sure to look out for our new range of Vegetable Pates - hitting supermarket shelves as we eat! Full flavoured vegetable pates based on seasonal ingredients that are perfect to serve as an appetiser, with crudite of raw vegetables, biscuits or melba, or spooned straight from the tub onto freshly toasted bread. Don't forget to look inside the label for further serving suggestions. Choose from Porcini Mushroom & Verjuice, Roasted Red Pepper, Beetroot & Horseradish and Pea, Verjuice & Mint. They are so well timed for instant Christmas entertaining! Click here to find your nearest stockist.
Gobble, Gobble…
So many people ask me what I’m planning for Christmas each year but I have to admit I’m a bit of a stickler for tradition and always come back to crowd-pleasing favourites. Turkey has been part of our Christmas fare since I discovered the difference in using corn-fed free range birds to ensure wonderfully succulent meat. The other tip that may help you too, if you are considering turkey for your Christmas table this year, is to use oven bags to cook the bird in, I was so surprised at the result. Here’s my Turkey with Apple, Walnut and Prune Stuffing if you’d like to start your own tradition this Christmas…
Pudding Please
Just in - Maggie's perfectly extravagant Christmas puds, full of Christmas cheer from the Barossa. With a liberal dose of port and an extravagant amount of fruit this luscious pudding is rich with natural sweetness and true fruit flavour. Serve with brandy butter, homemade custard or Maggie's vanilla bean and elderflower ice cream. Pudding’s done, what’s next on the Christmas list?
Literature Wish List
We’ve found that Maggie’s latest book, Maggie’s Kitchen, well and truly fills a Christmas stocking, whether it be your own or someone else’s. From Maggie’s own kitchen comes 120 favourite recipes she has shared with her television audience, as well as the everyday basics Maggie believes form the foundations of a good food life. Selling like a proverbial hot cake (pretty sure you’ll find a recipe for that in the book too) … don’t miss out!
The Season to Sparkle
Red-blooded wine lovers yet to try Sparkling Ruby Cabernet can be convinced the only thing missing is the morning-after headache. A great accompaniment to the gamey flavour of kangaroo, venison, mushrooms or the richness of duck liver or goose, we’re sure you’ll find every reason to celebrate with Sparkling Ruby Cabernet.
Barossa in A Basket
At Maggie Beer, we believe there are things that should never be compromised – like quality and flavour – but that doesn’t mean you have to do all the hard work! The latest addition to Maggie’s ever-popular hamper range, Maggie’s Favourites will have your foodie friends wondering how you knew exactly what they wanted for Christmas. Presented in a traditional wicker picnic hamper with leather tabs, this collection of Maggie’s premium products makes gift giving almost effortless.
