Dear all,
It's been a while!
Extra special treat for the long wait: my pre-christmas dinner with friends. Rather than the usual dessert I decided to do the starter for a change. I present you with:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinn6Vb2eGGsVzB4AAl4k_V62SVABcGtAyngra5hH96KvUPUMInbEnNHiSnlNR4c5TitY4iccSVxmXcbS73EbL2qeu3Xh7xJVFAnqGddjjLyXrqL9D8fukgWCAcOqCJjOOJzSarQuYxRKlQ/s320/2014-12-13+16.36.42.jpg)
Snow-flake cheesy biscuits with poppy and fennel seeds.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsNAdj2YpRhoiTNvsFjdBnf3hMTQ0ewlvWRgKBTjVLEwLtT7RRsda0HTZ6oK_l9QKQsL_-qgbAWCWgWQLF1KD6KQF6G3tocyzDCnPeI6zP1dqSFhrPrVvyJNDimoRgsv-FqO3ghNpwznk/s320/2014-12-13+19.08.36.jpg)
My army. My army of penguins! Big hit I can tell you, and tasty too. Made of black olives, cream cheese and carrot. Definitely a simple-but-effective dish!!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGY2iGEr7txGMeByt1Zv3A2otBwu3dKGYoMaXW56qWsIEznSHuio60NYskhkb0byVm8OFg7ethVzatbOA9MTW-CcSxuY6MftSfxQXDcbVwRkWP6oKs6kKJLqkX2HXil8Ut6VvmV4Z-hKE/s320/2014-12-13+20.56.49.jpg)
I'm afraid the penguins were hungry so I didn't get a good pictures of the Devils on Horseback, a typical Christmas treat. For those in the unknown: dates stuffed with cream cheese and a whole almond, wrapped in bacon and baked in the oven. Served warm and very tasty! And to go with these lovely treats, a welcome cocktail for my friends. Christmas pear Prosecco (ginger syrup, stem ginger, pear juice and prosecco in a glass dipped in sugar and cinnamon). Cheers!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmut9WmiDWXZKIH417vstF3xv3z04PbtQ4k0D9Y7_7t3xlgBVW6HK-8bPABvDeziOnfU1WP3hvm9cHD536fRToVEJb2YuwwWmv6bJSvSk3WoM4luHvQ9bex0gl0nLBYbUyM_asCtHQdrEL/s200/2014-12-13+18.58.45.jpg)
But wait, there's more!? Sage and onion bread-to-share, and a plaited sun-dried tomato, red pesto and parmesan loaf.
And to go with the bread: sun-dried tomato, basil and parmesan butter, and a garlic and chili butter.
Oh and my lovely friends also made lovely food! Sage and pea soup with diced cheek of veal, and the main course: venison with garlic/rosemary potatoes and sprouts with pancetta and chestnuts, served with home made cranberry sauce.
Last and definitely not least: tiramisu.