Chestnut Cranberry Xmas Ring Food

CHESTNUT & CRANBERRY ROLL

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large frying pan, then gently fry the onion for 5 mins until softened. Finely chop the apples either by hand or in a food processor.
• Squeeze the sausagemeat from the sausages into a large bowl, then add all the other ingredients, except the cranberries and streaky bacon. Season generously, then get your hands in and mix well. Weigh out 450g of the stuffing and mix a handful of the cranberries into it. Use to stuff the neck of the turkey (see 'Goes well with').
• To assemble, butter and season a large sheet of foil. Stretch out the bacon rashers slightly with the back of a kitchen knife, then overlap 12 rashers on the foil. Spoon half of the stuffing mix evenly over the bacon, leaving a border of about 3cm. Scatter with half the cranberries, then pat them in. Tuck the long edges of the bacon over the stuffing; then, using the foil to help, roll the stuffing up into a log shape. Repeat to make a second roll.
• Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Put the foil-wrapped rolls onto a roasting tin and roast for 45 mins. Unwrap, draining off any juice, then finish roasting for 15 mins until the bacon is crisp.

Steps:

• Combine the cranberry and orange juice, ginger ale, sparkling water and lime juice in a large glass punch bowl or pitcher.
• Then add the ice (or cranberry ice ring, if using). Serve immediately.
• Fill a 4- 6 cup Jello or metal ring mold with 3/4 - 1 1/2 inch water (depending on the size of your mold. *I have a 5 cup and I fill it 1 inch. Freeze until solid for 6 hours.
• Place 2 cups frozen cranberries and the zest of 1 large orange on the ice.
• Fill the mold with water to top.
• Freeze until solid (at least 8 hours or overnight)
• To remove the ice ring, briefly dip the bottom of the mold in a bowl half-filled with warm water.
• Immediately float the ring in the punch.

CHESTNUT, BACON & CRANBERRY STUFFING

Steps:

• Soak the cranberries in the port for an hour. Fry the onion and bacon gently in the butter, until the onion is tender and the bacon is cooked. Add the garlic and fry for another minute or so.
• Cool slightly, then mix with all the remaining ingredients, including the cranberries and port, adding enough egg to bind - I find it easiest to use my hands. Fry a knob of stuffing in a little butter, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
• To Cook: This stuffing can be baked in a dish, or rolled into balls that will be crisp on the outside and moist inside. To bake, press the stuffing into a greased ovenproof dish in a layer that is around 4cm thick. Bake at 190C/gas 5/fan 170C for about 40 minutes, until browned and, in the case of sausagemeat stuffing, cooked right through. Alternatively, roll into balls that are about 4cm in diameter. Roast the stuffing balls in hot fat (they can be tucked around the turkey or done in a roasting tin of their own) for 30-40 minutes, until crisp and nicely browned on the outside.

CRANBERRY AND BRIE CRESCENT RING RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Arrange the crescent roll triangles on the prepared baking sheet with the points sticking out, overlapping the bases to form an 8-inch (20 cm) circle.
• Spoon the cranberry sauce onto the bases of the crescent dough triangles and top with the brie wedges. Fold the pointed ends of the dough over the cranberry sauce and brie and tuck underneath to seal.
• Brush the ring with the beaten egg and sprinkle with the flaky salt and thyme.
• Bake for 30 minutes, turning halfway through, or until dark golden brown. Transfer to a platter and serve.
• Enjoy!