ENTERTAINING Creative
Resident foodie Katy Hofstede-Smith
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hristmas and entertaining go hand in hand and whether it’s for family that you see every day or those that you catch up with once a year, it’s always nice to have the excuse to make a little extra effort. For me there are a few key things to think about at Christmas that tie the day together and provide all of the finishing touches without too much effort.
FLEXIBLE FOOD s 3333333333333333333333333333333333333333 DECORATING YOUR HOUSE
Christmas decorations allow us to let out our inner interior designer and say a lot about our style. Whether red and green sparkles, simplistic Nordic style, elegant gold and silver or a more natural traditional style, keep things consistent throughout and your house will look beautiful. A gorgeous wreath at the front door will set the tone and welcome guests. Think about the rooms that you will use most during the day. Whilst we traditionally decorate the lounge with the tree, if your guests are going to spend the majority of the day lingering in the kitchen or relaxing in the dining room make sure that these are beautiful as well. In the dining room decorate anything that isn’t going to get in the way of the heaving plates of food you will inevitably have.
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However well I plan meals over Christmas they never quite work out the way I intend. Either guests are too full to eat the meal, extra people have dropped in or I’m just too tired to cook and wash up yet another meal. In order to accommodate these flexibilities I always make sure that I have a few homemade staples to provide a light meal or a homemade treat to make unexpected guests feel welcomed. One of my favourites is potted salmon. It is simple, lasts for ages and tastes delicious at any mealtime. Melt butter and soften onions in a pan. Once soft add in finely chopped smoked salmon and flaked poached salmon, capers, a squeeze of lemon juice, seasoning and chopped dill. Stir and pour into sterilised jars or ramekins. Leave to cool slightly, then cover with melted butter to ensure you have an airtight seal and keep in the fridge.
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