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Waitrose has revealed details of its ‘Heston from Waitrose’ range for Christmas 2018.
The supermarket chain said its ambassador Heston Blumenthal OBE ‘is back with his festive favourites, along with exciting new additions inspired by the old British pastime of wassailing’.
The multi-award-winning chef explained: “Dating back to the 16th century, wassailing is the ancient custom of visiting orchards to recite incantations and sing to the trees to promote a good harvest for the coming year.
“Taking inspiration from this seasonal tradition, my new dishes celebrate the humble apple in all its forms, including cider and Calvados, for that special Christmas treat.”
Highlights include:
*Two Bird Wassailing Roast: an apple-and brandy- glazed Gressingham duck breast wrapped in a smoky pork, bacon, brioche and mead stuffing;
*Cherry Bakewell Mince Pies: fruity mincemeat with sour cherries, sour cherry curd and a dash of Heston from Waitrose Cherry Bakewell Vodka, encased in a sweet chocolate pastry;
*Cocktail Compendium: a collection of liqueur chocolates and truffles inspired by Heston’s cocktail favourites, including Negroni, French 75, Old Fashioned and Espresso Martini;
*Golden Delicious Pudding: filled with candied and fresh apple, this Christmas pudding is flavoured with cinnamon, cider and Calvados;
*Christmas Stuffing Bundt: British oak-smoked pork, bacon, mead, pine nut and brioche sausagemeat is filled with chunky apple pieces to create this stuffing bundt, which is topped with an apple and brandy drizzle and a pork crackling crumb;
*Profiter’coals: Black profiterole ‘coals’ with a flame-coloured mandarin orange crème pâtissière filling are drizzled with a warmed smoked orange caramel sauce and scattered with crackling popping candy to give the illusion of glowing embers.
The retailer will also launch a Juniper and Bitter Orange themed range for the festive season.
Waitrose executive chef Jonathan Moore commented: “Inspired by the use of botanicals and florals in food and drink, we’ve created a unique flavour profile for a new range of products.
“Juniper – the key aromatic ingredient of gin – complements the acidity of bitter orange perfectly, and works with a range of sweet and savoury dishes, from confectionery and mince pies to joints of meat and stuffing. This exquisite and unique pairing will bring a modern and festive twist to an array of dishes at Waitrose this Christmas.’
The range includes: Waitrose 1 Venison Haunch with Bitter Orange & Juniper, and Venison & Redcurrant Jus, Waitrose 1 Dark Chocolate & Orange Stollen Wreath, Yorkshire Wensleydale with Caramelised Orange & Gin, Bitter Orange & Juniper Stuffing, Waitrose 1 Orange & Cranberry Tart and Juniper Smoked Gammon with a Bitter Orange & Juniper Glaze.
Heston from Waitrose Profiter’coals
