We all know that Christmas is all about spending time with our loved ones – but it’s also all about the food we eat too.
Although the first thing that comes to mind when you think of festive food is your classic Christmas pudding – there’s so many other ways to create the perfect plate of food at Christmas time, that’s just as festive.
Tommy Butler, the Executive Head Chef at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin, has shown us how to create the ultimate Christmas Sharing Board for those with a sweet tooth – and now we want to share it with you.
With sweet treats like Eton Mess, Chocolate Brownies, and Gingerbread Reindeer – you’ll definitely wow your guests this Christmas. Watch how Tommy put it together below:
Check out the full recipes here:
Christmas Eton Mess
- Cream
- Cranberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries
- Crushed Meringue
- Raspberry Coulis
Roughly chop some fresh cranberries, raspberries, strawberries & Blueberries.
Whip some cream just to the point of being stiff. Mix the fresh berries with the cream and add some crushed meringue shell.
Be careful not to over mix or the cream will split. Place into a glass or bowl to serve.
Finish with some raspberry coulis and some more crushed meringue.
Gingerbread Reindeer (20 biscuits)
- 350g plain flour
- 2 tsp ginger, ground
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 100g butter
- 175g soft light brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 4 tbsp golden syrup
Preheat oven 180°C/Gas mark 5.
Put the flour, ginger and soda into a bowl and rub in the butter. Add sugar and stir in the syrup and egg to make a firm dough.
Roll out to about 5mm thick and cut out your dough. Place the biscuits onto a tray evenly & bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
Leave to firm up for a couple of minutes before placing on a wire rack to cook. Once cooled, decorate with piping dark chocolate antlers, nose and eyes.
Decorate with a red smartie for the ‘Rudolph effect’.
Brandy Custard
- 560ml (2 1/4 cups) milk
- 185ml (3/4 cup) thin cream
- 4 egg yolks
- 100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornflour
- 60ml (1/4 cup) brandy
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Heat the milk and cream in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat for 4 minutes.
Remove from heat & whisk together egg yolks, sugar, cinnamon and cornflour until pale and creamy. Gradually whisk in milk mixture & Return to the pan.
Place over medium heat and stir until the custard thickens and coats back of spoon (do not boil). Stir in the brandy & serve warm.
Chocolate Brownie
- 200g dark chocolate (70%)
- 250g unsalted butter
- 80g cocoa powder
- 4 eggs
- 65g plain flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 360g caster sugar
Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4. Line a 24cm square baking tin with greaseproof paper.
Melt the chocolate & butter together. Mix together the cocoa powder and flour, baking powder and sugar in a bowl.
Add the dry ingredients to the chocolate & stir together well. Beat the eggs, then mix in until you have a silky consistency.
Pour the brownie mix into the baking tin & cook for around 25 minutes. When cooked- should be gooey in the middle still.
Allow to cool and cut into squares. Reheat gently serve with a dollop of vanilla ice-cream & sweetened cream.
The Radisson Blu Royal Hotel is based in the heart of Dublin city, making it the perfect location for dinner, drinks with pals, or even a Christmas party this festive season – and they have some amazing offers on during the festive period.
With excellent party packages in the stunning surroundings of Goldsmith’s Hall or the exclusive Sky Suite; cocktails, great music and shared platters in Sure Bar; delicious seasonal menus from head chef Tommy Butler in V’n V restaurant, amazing overnight rates and a spectacular five course Christmas dinner – Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin really does have Christmas all wrapped up.
Christmas party packages start from €65 per person, with overnight Christmas rates from €140, and dinner on Christmas day costing €85 per person.
In particular, their Twixmas package would make the perfect Christmas present for a loved one (or yourself!).
Available between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel has the perfect offer for those visiting Dublin to take advantage of the Christmas sales.
Guests will be welcomed with a Christmas cocktail on arrival, before enjoying the seasonal menus in V’nV Restaurant, before winding down for the night in your luxurious hotel room.
Take a break between 27th and 29th December 2017 with one night including Super Breakfast and dinner in V’nV Restaurant from €150 per person based on 2 people sharing.
For more information, contact the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin on 01-8982900, or click here.
