Thursday 27 December 2018

Twixmas food fix

Happy Christmas to all our customers, we hope it was a good one…

Now we’re in the weird ‘no man’s land’ between Christmas and New Year. For some people it’s still ongoing celebrations and family get togethers, others are back at work. Some are hitting the sales in hope of a bargain and others are already taking their decorations down with a feeling Christmas has been and gone.

Whatever camp you’re in, the likelihood is you’ve felt the need for an expanding waistband over the past few days! Apparently the average Brit will have consumed more than 6,000 calories on Christmas Day alone – almost three times the standard daily recommendation. Christmas Dinner in its own right doesn’t have to be too calorific, but the chocolate, nuts, crisps, fizz and baileys we tuck into either side of that is. A third of us have had a festive tipple by midday (is it wrong that I think that’s a surprisingly low number?). But don’t worry – apparently you can burn those calories off with an eight-hour run or a 22-hour walk. Easy done!

Further research showed that the nation will consume 308 million slices of turkey and 411 million sprouts. Not forgetting the 205 million slices of Christmas cake and pudding and, of course, the 205 million glasses of champagne. Someone will have a sore head.

But all that excess, lovely though it is, can leave you feeling like you can’t face another heavy dinner, or another buffet. It can be hard to figure out what you fancy! Well why not leave that to us?

Hunters is open every day from 27th December, other than New Year’s Day and 2nd January and we’re happy to help you find something to tickle your tastebuds. Perhaps a flavoursome curry or stir fry to use up some of that leftover turkey? Maybe you want to avoid the kitchen all together after slaving over a hot stove on Christmas Day – well our delicious frozen pies from The Original Baker could be the answer. Simple but delicious and you can choose from favourites such as Steak and Ale or Chicken and Leek. Put together a salad with all your favourites from the deli counter, or how about treating yourself to a nice new pickle or chutney to zhoozh up your salad or leftovers? Soup, jam packed with veg and wholesome ingredients, is always a winner on a cold day and we love The Yorkshire Provinder range.

So, don’t let food disappoint you this Twixmas (yes, that really is the name given to this time of year, and no, it’s not linked to the caramel topped biscuit bar!). Put down the tin of chocolates and come see us for some inspiration!  

Saturday 8 December 2018

Bring on the Christmas feast!




One of the best things about Christmas is the food and drink.

It’s the one time of the year when to over indulge is expected – and no one bats an eyelid if you’re eating chocolate for breakfast, washed down with a bucks fizz.

Of course, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without turkey and all the trimmings (in fact – make sure you stock up on cranberry sauce, stuffing and gravy – you don’t want to forget those all essential elements!). It was actually King Henry VIII who first had turkey for Christmas – up until then it had mainly been boar, goose or even peacock. By 1573 turkey seemed to be a regular on the British Christmas Dinner menu, along with goose – which was still the most popular choice until the Victorian era. But our favourite Christmas bird is certainly a tradition which dates back several centuries. Pigs in blankets…maybe not so much.

Christmas pudding is another Christmas favourite with a long history. Although it started out as more of a soup/porridge with meat and dried fruit, which doesn’t sound like it would go so well with custard. By the 17th century it was looking more like Christmas pud as we know it, and King George I made it an essential part of the Christmas meal. The monarchy were definitely the reality TV stars of their time – whatever they had, everyone else wanted! Maybe we’ll all be eating what Kate and Wills or Harry and Meghan have for Christmas dinner in a few years.

Mince Pies were another Christmas delight which started out containing meat. Originally called Christmas or Shrid Pie, they’re thought to date back to the Crusaders returning from the Middle East in the 13th Century. For many, they’re symbolic, with the cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg representing the gifts given to Jesus by the three Kings. There’s also all kinds of myths and superstitions around them – from making a wish when you eat your first one of the year (bit late for that…) and it being illegal to eat them on Christmas Day. Which it isn’t. Although it might have been during the time of Oliver Cromwell who banned them.

Thankfully completely suitable for vegetarians, the Christmas Pudding we’re loving this year is Cole's classic pudding with ale. And for Mince Pies, you need to give Lottie Shaw's Sloe Gin mince pies a try.

One Christmas Dish which we don’t really see any more is the traditional Yorkshire Pie, dating back to the 18th century. You’d have to like meat for this one – it’s filled with a whole goose, a turkey, a fowl, a partridge, a pigeon, a hare, game, and any other meat you had to hand, mixed with mace, nutmeg, cloves, black pepper, salt and a mountain of butter. Sounds a bit much to be honest – and the pastry was never meant to be eaten, what a waste! So, if you love a savoury pie (who doesn’t) we’d recommend instead the pork, apples and black pudding lattice pie.

Whatever your Christmas traditions and feasts involve, we’re here to help, and we like to think we cover most bases with everything we have in store – it’s full to burst with festive treats. Except for a meat-based Christmas pudding – if that’s your thing, you might have to make your own…