Christmas come early

MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL!

IFeelWine blog-team have been momentarily separated for the holidays, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have more news for you!

 If any of you are feeling at a loss with what to do with your holiday time, here is a super recipe for some beautiful and slightly different Christmas Florentines. They are scrummy biscuits to have with tea or as ‘petits fours’ after Christmas dinner.

INGREDIENTS:

150g darking cooking chocolate

25g butter (plus a little melted for greasing)

75g caster sugar

10g plain flour

65ml double cream

50g blanched almond slivers

50g ground almonds

50g chopped candied peel

25g chopped glacé cherries

cinnamon, nutmeg and ground cloves for spicing

 INSTRUCTIONS

1. Start by pre-heating the oven to 190ºC and prepare two baking trays with grease-proof paper and grease with a small amount of butter.
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan over a low heat and add the sugar and flour. Once the mixture is smooth gradually add the cream, stirring continuously.
3. Add the remaining ingredients except the chocolate – stir well and leave to cool.
4.  Lay the mixture out on the tray in heaped teaspoonfuls and flatten into shape.
5.  Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden. Take out when baked and leave to cool.
6. Melt the chocolate over a low heat and use it to coat the bottom cooled Florentines.

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      7. Leave on a cooling rack to set and then enjoy!

…And for the perfect pairing – Christmas has come early with some beautiful Château De Fargues, 2007 Sauterne.

THE SECRET BEHIND SAUTERNES:

Wines from ‘Sauterne’, an appellation in the south of Bordeaux, are made with rotten grapes (varieties: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc & Muscadelle) that have been affected by ‘Botrytis cinerea’ or ‘noble rot’. As a result the grapes partially dry out, giving the fine wine result a sweet and more concentrated flavour.

 1^st level ‘Grand Cru Classé’ and 94-96 Parker Points

The perfect pairing with sweet treats. 

• In the glass the wine displays the classic glimmering marigold of a first class Sauterne.
• On the nose you can find honeysuckle and ripe stone fruits (peaches, apricots)
• The taste brings an exquisitely smooth texture and an added honey tone to the fruity notes, which really compliment the almonds in the Florentines.

Merry Christmas to all you all – Drink and Eat Well!

See you in the New Year!