Every year the Christmas food & drink selection launching in supermarkets and high-street stores seems to get bigger and better. If you are feeling a little spoiled for choice and can’t decide which products to pick up first then I’ve once again got my ultimate sweet treats and festive food roundup for you below. Featuring luxury products and bargain buys, here are a selection of things that are definitely worth popping into your basket early this year as you start picking up your Christmas food each week.
Christmas Food At Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s have pushed the boat out once again for their Christmas selection and we’ve been exploring what’s on offer. Keep reading below for our top sweet picks!
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Sainsbury’s Musical Carousel Tin with All Butter Shortbread Stars – Sainsbury’s usually have a musical biscuit tin each Christmas and this year it comes in the shape of a festive red carousel. Packed with sweet little all butter shortbread stars, this would make the perfect treat for snacking or a beautiful Christmas gift for friends and family. Priced at £8.50.
Sainsbury’s All Butter Scottish Shortbread Selection – This one had to be included within our top picks this year, simply due to how classic and festive the tin is and how delicious the biscuits themselves are. You’ll find a selection of all butter Scottish shortbread inside and the quality is absolutely unbeatable. Priced at £4.50.
Taste the Difference All Butter Mince Pies – Sainsbury’s always do mince pies wonderfully well. Their Taste the Difference all butter mince pies are soft, crumbly and full of flavour. Don’t forget to leave one out for Father Christmas this year….if you can bear to spare one that is!
Christmas Food at ASDA
Asda is a great place to pick up some festive food and drink and there’s always an offer to be had! This Christmas the star of the show when it comes to savoury food for your Christmas dinner (or Christmas parties) has to be the Ultimate Pig in Blanket. This is perfect to place on your dining table this Christmas and there definitely won’t be any need for fighting over who gets the last one. It’s seriously impressive!
When it comes to sweet treats, you can find lots of fresh and frozen party food. Some great alternatives to Christmas pudding for the big day have to be the ASDA Extra Special Belgian White Chocolate & Raspberry Roulade and the ASDA Extra Special Raspberry & Pistachio Wreath. How amazing would the Raspberry & Pistachio wreath look as the centrepiece for a lavish party too?! You can find all of this and more in your local ASDA store or online.
Christmas food at Aldi
Aldi are really on the ball this Christmas with their festive food and drink. Here are just a few of the best festive offerings you’ll find if you head into store!
Specially Selected Premium Cheese Truckle: The cheese is naturally smoked over spruce wood shaving for around 15 hours, this give the cheese that wonderful great smoked flavour. No artificial flavours are used everything is totally natural. £3.59 (200g)
This Christmas enjoy a combination of your favourite childhood dessert with a grown-up and festive twist thanks to supermarket Aldi. Available in a range of three festive flavours, this sumptuous ice cream is available with a flavoured core of either Espresso Martini, Mince Pie & Brandy Butter or Gingerbread Latte (£2.49 for 480ml). What’s even better they’re gluten-free! Head to store now to not miss out on the delicious taste of Christmas.
Aldi mouth-watering Mini Gammon Waffles are made with prime gammon pork. Each tender cut is gently cooked sous vide style until its tender and soft. Each cut is then gently shredded and, divided between the sweet delicious waffle and topped with a maple glaze and cinnamon crumb. £3.29
This December, Aldi will be launching the Christmas dinner accompaniment of dreams – Giant Pigs in Blankets. From 6th December and for only £2.99, customers can pick up two foot-long British pork sausages wrapped in streaky bacon, the perfect treat for a festive feast.
Specially Selected Smoked Salmon in Whisky or Treacle: An appetiser with a wow, this delicate but punchy Scottish smoked salmon is infused with either whisky or treacle flavours.
On sale 19th December, £3.99 (100g)
The Best Christmas Food & Drink Finds from Everywhere else!
Thomas Fudge – Dorset based Thomas Fudge’s popular range of Florentines come in three delicious flavours – dark chocolate, milk chocolate or salted caramel – and are not only ideal stocking fillers, but they also make the perfect weekend treats to enjoy with friends and a glass of bubbly. Available from http://thomasfudges.co.uk
Lir Chocolates – Iconic Irish brand, Lir Chocolates has recently launched their 16 piece Discovery Collection in the UK, which consists of eight unique flavours combinations, and with its beautiful rose gold packaging will make the perfect festive gift. Available from http://www.lirchocolates.com/
The Ultimate Christmas Pudding From Figgy’s
Treat yourself to a handmade, beautifully crafted, traditional Christmas Pudding from Figgy’s in Devon this Christmas. Just like Granny used to make, these award-winning puds are a far cry from modern supermarket versions. Husband and wife team, Richard and Joanne Evans make all their Christmas Puddings in small batches in their artisan bakery near Exeter.
Using an old family recipe, which they have perfected over the last ten years, they stick to tradition and steam all of their puddings in Mason Cash ceramic bowls. The puddings are then lovingly wrapped in cotton pudding cloth and matured for several months in their basins – the cloth allows the puddings to breathe and the rich, wonderful flavours to develop.
Figgy’s Christmas Puddings use nothing but the best ingredients. Ten-year-old Somerset Cider Brandy from the Somerset Distillery, as well as CAMRA-award-winning Port Stout from Devon-based Hanlons Brewery are used in generous proportions. They even make their own breadcrumbs by hand, from bread made at the bakery next door!
These truly luxurious Christmas puddings also make excellent gifts as they can be sent in the post to your friends and relatives. They even include a bespoke gift card and a personal message.
To purchase one of the sumptuous handmade Christmas puddings visit www.figgys.co.uk or call 01392 459488. Prices start from £11.95 for a pudding for 2-3 people, £16.95 for 4-6 people and £22.95 for 8-10 people.
The Bay Tree Marvellous Mini Tree
Create a striking festive display with this mini tree selection pack of tasty tiny jars. This stylish gift pack includes; Strawberry Jam, Blackcurrant Jam, Real Ale Chutney, Spicy Tomato & Caramelised Onion Chutney, Lemon Marmalade with Gin & Lime and Cider Apple Jelly. RRP: £15.00
Seed and Bean Vegan Hamper
Have you always wondered what to get for your foodie vegan friend, but nothing ever seems quite right? Look no further than organic, Fairtrade, British handmade chocolate brand Seed and Bean, whose bars also happen to have fully recyclable and unique compostable packaging.
Seed and Bean have produced a selection of hampers ranging in sizes and price. Either show someone you care with the whole range or wow a vegan friend with the Vegan Collection, including Cornish Sea Salt, Chilli & Lime, Aromatic Fennel and Sweet Orange & Thyme. Or select a few for yourself to enjoy while wrapping all of those presents. The Seed and Bean collection is available from Wholefoods, Planet Organic, Abel and Cole and independent farm shops and delis across the UK. Visit www.seendandbean.co.uk for more information.
Nife is Life Luxury Desert Wine and Cantucci hamper
If you are looking for some beautiful and delicious Italian hampers, packed with authentic foods then this one is for you. Cantucci and Vin Santo are a typical and traditional pairing: dip the biscuits in the alcohol, for a typical Tuscany experience that all Italians know! Remember: Vin Santo is a sweet wine! Find out more about the range of hampers and to buy here: http://www.nifeislife.com
Looking for some ‘Festive Fizz’? Don’t forget to take a look at our top champagne and prosecco picks for Christmas!
