Catherine Leyden was getting into the festive spirit this morning on Ireland Am making a delicious Christmas cake. The best thing is you can make it now and it will be perfect for Christmas Day. Link in bio or swipe up from our stories. For all other recipes visit Odlums.ie
This Sausage ‘Nduja Pasta can be cooked and served up in less than 20 minutes. Find the recipe from our brand ambassador @nevenmaguire below and shop the ingredients in your local @dunnesstores
Sausage ‘Nduja Pasta Serves 2-4 Ingredients 1 Pack Simply Better 6 Irish Pork Honey & Mustard Sausages 1 Tbsp. Simply Better Toscano IGP Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 Jar Simply Better Italian Tomato & ‘Nduja Pasta Sauce 4 Tbsp. Simply Better Creamy Italian Mascarpone 1 Packet Simply Better Italian Fresh Strascioni Pasta 4 Heaped Tbsp. Simply Better Parmigiano Reggiano PDO Finely Grated Handful Fresh Basil Leaves Simply Better Achill Island Sea Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Method 1. Heat a skillet pan over a medium to high heat. Using a small sharp knife cut down the length of the sausages to remove from the casings. Add the oil to the pan and then add the sausages and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking them up with a cooking spoon until sizzling and golden brown. 2. Cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water for 4 minutes until ‘al dente’. 3. Stir the tomato & ‘nduja sauce into the sausages and allow to bubble up. Add the mascarpone and season to taste. Drain the pasta, reserving a cup full of the water and fold into the sauce, adding enough of the reserved water to achieve a smooth sauce. Fold in the cooked pasta and divide among bowls, then scatter over the Parmigiano and basil leaves to serve.
Nothing beats the flavour of homemade Christmas pudding, but it’s important to get good-quality fruit and it’s best made at least 1 month in advance.
I love plum pudding, hot or cold, with lashings of cream, but the spiked almond custard is even more special. I always look forward to it. A big thank you to Auntie Maureen for this recipe.
Ingredients
50g (2oz) plain flour
1/2 tsp ground mixed spice
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
225g (8oz) sultanas
175g (6oz) butter, melted, plus extra for greasing
175g (6oz) fresh white breadcrumbs
175g (6oz) light brown sugar
175g (6oz) raisins
50g (2oz) currants
50g (2oz) candied mixed peel
50g (2oz) blanched almonds, hopped
1/2 eating apple, peeled, cored and diced
1/2 small carrot, grated finely grated rind and juice of
1 lemon
2 eggs, lightly beaten
300ml (1/2 pint) stout
fresh redcurrant sprigs, to decorate (optional)
icing sugar, to decorate (optional)
spiked almond custard, to serve
Method
Sift together the flour, mixed spice, cloves and nutmeg. Add the sultanas, melted butter, breadcrumbs, sugar, raisins, currants, mixed peel, almonds, apple, carrot and the lemon rind and juice and mix until well combined. Gradually add the beaten eggs, stirring constantly, followed by the stout. Mix everything together thoroughly and cover with a clean tea towel, then leave in a cool place overnight.
Use the fruit mixture to fill 2 x 1.2 litre (2 pint) greased pudding bowls. Cover with a double thickness of greaseproof paper and tin foil, then tie tightly under the rim with string. Store in a cool, dry place overnight.
To cook, preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F/gas mark 2).
Stand each pudding basin in a large cake tin three-quarters full of boiling water, then cook in the oven for 6–8 hours (or you can steam them for 6 hours in the usual way). Cool and re-cover with clean greaseproof paper. Again, store in a cool, dry place.
On Christmas Day, re-cover with greaseproof paper and foil. Steam for 2–3 hours, until completely cooked through and tender. Decorate with the redcurrant sprigs and a light dusting of icing sugar, if liked.
To serve, cut the plum pudding into slices and arrange on serving plates. Have a separate jug of the spiked almond custard so that everyone can help themselves.
