Pomegranate & Granola Yogurt Crunch

I seriously debated on what to call this…. Parfait, Pots and Crunch were all up there and to be honest I’m not sure if ‘Crunch’ is the right choice, however what I can assure you is that this is absolutely delicious and the perfect way to start your day!

I love eating this for breakfast and so I decided it was only fair to share it with you, especially since not only does it taste fantastic and is healthy but it looks so pretty that you could easily serve it to friends or family coming over for brunch. I use my own homemade Granola (click for the recipe) but you could easily use your favourite Granola instead – be it homemade or bought! It is so easy to make and the fruit can be changed throughout the year to whatever is in season, but I’ll be honest Pomegranate is my favourite!

Serves 1 generous portion – or enough for Wee One & I to share! (Easily doubled)

175g/ ¾ cup Fat Free Plain Greek Yogurt

1 tbsp honey (or to taste)

3 tbsp Granola

½ fresh pomegranate

Mix together the yogurt and honey and stir well before spooning half of it into the bottom of a glass bowl (or alternatively you could use glasses – either pretty tumblers or wine glasses). Sprinkle over 1 tablespoon of Granola and ½ of the pomegranate then repeat with the layering, finishing with the pomegranate.

(Approximately 340 calories per portion however, that will depend on the Granola and Yogurt that you use.)

Mozzarella, Pomegranate & Almond Salad

I couldn't decide whether to call this 'Mozzarella, Pomegranate and Almond Salad' or 'My Christmas Salad' because I can never resist serving it as a starter on Christmas Eve. Eventually, on the basis that I could never just limit this salad to Christmas time and enjoy it as long as pomegranates are in season I thought I'd stick to it's original name! It is so easy to make and tastes amazing. Full of crunchy nuts and vibrant pomegranate seeds, soft creamy mozzarella and your favourite mix of salad leaves it's impossible not to love it.

The quantities are fairly roughly measured as generally I tend to just go by eye based on how many I am feeding, using handfuls of things here and there so please don't worry about measuring anything out specifically – add as much or as little of each ingredient as you like.

Serves 4 (easily halved or doubled to feed a crowd)

85g Almonds

2 tbsp Pine nuts (optional)

200g approx. of mixed salad leaves of your choice – try and use a variety of textures

Small handful of fresh mint leaves

Small handful of fresh basil leaves

2 balls of Mozzarella (either cows or buffalo)

Seeds from 1 pomegranate

Maldon salt or other sea salt & freshly ground black pepper

Good quality balsamic vinegar

Good quality extra virgin olive oil

In a dry frying pan gently toast the almonds and pine nuts (if using) until just golden, being very careful not to burn them. Set aside and leave to cool.

Scatter the mixed salad leaves on to a large platter (or alternatively divide it between 4 serving plates) then sprinkle over the mint and basil leaves, roughly ripping up any larger leaves. Scatter the cooled nuts all over the salad then tear chunks of the mozzarella and gently drop on top of the salad. Finish with the pomegranate seeds which add a beautiful Christmassy jewel-like gleam to the salad then sprinkle the salt, crushing it gently with your fingers as you do, and a touch of freshly ground black pepper.

Just before serving drizzle over a little balsamic vinegar – roughly about 1 tablespoon, and then the extra virgin olive oil – about 2 tablespoons, then take to the table and let everyone help themselves. A wonderful salad and fantastic starter for Christmas Eve or for a Winter Dinner Party.

The 12 Days of Christmas ~ Day 9: Christmas Bruschettas

I thought I should probably take a break from all of the sweet treats I have been making for Christmas and my 12 Days of Christmas and post these delicious Christmas Bruschetta's. I'll be making these on Christmas Day to serve at lunch time (along with our Broccoli & Nutmeg Soup) but again they also make a fantastic starter. If it's easier you can grill the bread ahead of time so all you have to do is put on the toppings. Pretty, festive and very delicious!

Goats Cheese & Pomegranate

More pomegranate but I just can't resist its stunning sparkly gems and delicious taste. It works so perfectly with the tangy goats cheese and provides a wonderful refreshing taste and pop of flavour when you bite into it.

I haven't given precise measurements for any of these recipes since it depends entirely on how many people you are feeding and how much you want to make.

Ciabatta bread (or something similar)

Olive oil

Garlic, clove(s) sliced in half lengthwise

Goats cheese

Lemon zest

Fresh parsley, finely chopped

Pinch of Maldon Salt and black pepper

Pomegranate seeds

Slice the ciabatta into fairly thin slices (roughly 1cm thick) then drizzle with some olive oil. Toast the bread using a paninni press or under the grill until just golden then remove and rub a little of the garlic on it before allowing to cool.

While the bread is toasting, in a small bowl mix together the goats cheese with some lemon zest and a good sprinkling of fresh parsley. Season then mix together using a fork. Taste to check everything is balanced and adjust if necessary.

Spread the goats cheese over the ciabatta then sprinkle over the pomegranate seeds. Finish with a drizzle of good quality extra virgin olive oil then serve and watch them disappear in a flash!

Gorgonzola, Bresaola & Rocket

For some reason, I always think of blue cheese as being fairly Christmassy. I'm not entirely sure why – whether its because we used to always get some lovely Stilton as a present (along with some delicious condiments and chutneys), or the fact that there is always a cheese board at some point over the Christmas period that always includes it.... I can't decide my reasoning but anyway, for me this Gorgonzola, Bresaola & Rocket Bruschetta is the perfect wintery, Christmassy Bruschetta!

Ciabatta Bread (or something similar)

Olive oil

Garlic, clove(s) sliced in half lengthwise

Rocket leaves (arugula)

Gorgonzola or other blue cheese of your choice

Bresaola ham

Spritz of lemon juice

Freshly ground black pepper

Extra virgin olive oil

Slice the ciabatta into fairly thin slices (roughly 1cm thick) then drizzle with some olive oil. Toast the bread using a paninni press or under the grill until just golden then remove and rub a little of the garlic on it before allowing to cool.

When ready to assemble simply put a little rocket on each piece of ciabatta then top with a slice of cheese. Spritz with a little lemon then top with a slice of ham. Finish with a grinding of black pepper (optional) and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. This is a bruschetta not to be messed with!

Mozzarella & Chilli

This is just my classic Mozzarella & Chilli Bruschetta that I make in the summer, the only difference being I've used parsley instead of basil but I thought since it's a favourite of mine it has to be included at Christmas time – especially since the natural colours of the dish are perfect for Christmas time!

Ciabatta Bread (or something similar)

Olive oil

Garlic, clove(s) sliced in half lengthwise

Mozzarella

Red Chillies (or if you like you can use a mix of red and green), finely chopped

Fresh parsley, finely chopped

Maldon sea salt (or other finishing salt)

Extra virgin olive oil

Slice the ciabatta into fairly thin slices (roughly 1cm thick) then drizzle with some olive oil. Toast the bread using a paninni press or under the grill until just golden then remove and rub a little of the garlic on it before allowing to cool.

Tear the mozzarella into pieces then top the ciabatta with it. Finish off by sprinkling over the chopped chillies, parsley and salt then drizzle over a little good quality extra virgin olive oil. My favourite!

The 12 Days of Christmas ~ Day 7: Pomegranate Sorbet

Day 7 of my 12 Days of Christmas and I couldn't resist making a beautiful sorbet using seasonal pomegranates – a favourite in our house! This makes a lovely and light dessert or you could serve it as a palette cleanser during courses. Simple to make, delicious to eat!

125g sugar

125ml water

500ml pomegranate juice

Squeeze of fresh lemon

Pomegranate seeds for serving (optional)

Put the sugar and water in a small pan and gently heat until the sugar has completely dissolved. Leave to simmer for 10 minutes to make a sugar syrup then set aside and allow to cool completely.

Pour the pomegranate juice into a large jug and add a good squeeze of lemon juice (I would say roughly half a lemon). Once cooled add some of the sugar syrup – the amount needed will depend on the tartness of your pomegranate juice and your own individual tastes - and taste to see if it needs more lemon. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker* and churn following your manufacturers instructions until frozen and smooth. Transfer the sorbet to a freezer-proof container and keep until needed.

Remove the sorbet from the freezer about 10 minutes before you want to serve to allow it to soften a little then serve in individual glasses. Top with some fresh pomegranate seeds if you like and for total extravagance top up with some sparkly wine for the ultimate light and easy sparkly dessert!

*If you don't have an ice cream maker simply put the juice mixture into a freezer-proof container and put in the freezer. After a couple of hours take it out and mix it up really well then return it to the freezer. Repeat that process then allow to freeze completely.

The 12 Days of Christmas ~ Day 1: Christmas Cocktails

For a while now I have been trying to work out how I would manage to include all of my recipes that I wanted to post in the run-up to Christmas as there are a few (!), so I decided to start my very own 12 Days of Christmas! My version however will run from December 13th and will finish just in time for the big day with the last post on December 24th, Christmas Eve. Each day will feature a new recipe, sometimes a few recipes, but they are all some of my favourite things to have at Christmas time. There is a mix of drinks, starters, desserts and of course a baking recipe or two, one thing you won't find however is a partridge or a pear tree!

So let's get into the Christmas spirit and get the party started with a few ideas to help bring in that festive cheer!