Snug Sweaters and Turkey Rolls

As it gets closer to Christmas, we are all over indulging on canapés, nibbles and treats. Very naughty, but it has to be done! We are big fans of anything that is in miniature form, so sliders, cocktail sausages and mince pies are all right up our street. So it’s time to chuck on your Christmas jumper and get baking, here’s some of our favourite Christmas jumpers along with our turkey and cranberry bitesize rolls…

We got talking to the people at ASOS and were amazed at their selection of ownbrand and designer Christmas jumpers. Split into styles for men and women (though lots seem gender-neutral and interchangeable), we very quickly ordered our favourite sweater each. It’s not Christmas Day without one, right?

We usually spruce up in dressy-casual for dinner, but come Christmas evening when we’re all sprawled out in front of the TV, cradling a food baby, and watching Downton or the Royle Family there’s nothing more comfy or festive than a Christmas jumper.

We’re both suckers for Christmas tradition but we also love to spice things up and add a little personal, unusual twist to everything we do, so it was a shock that we both ended up ordering snowman-themed jumpers! Patrick’s all-white jumper has a fluffy texture, taking inspiration from the very snow itself, with a friendly snowman face right in the middle.

Russell’s is a more loud and light version, with snowmen featuring alongside lots of presents and snowflakes – now that’s the image of a happy Christmas, right?

These are both under £30 each and can be delivered in mere days to your door, but get your orders in QUICK, especially if you’re outside of the UK. ASOS is the most simple way of picking your Christmas jumper. There’s no need to go door to door, looking along the high street; you have your order processed in a few clicks and it’s the best one-stop-shop for choice and value in Christmas jumpers (warning: you may get sidelined and add a whole heap of impulse buys and last minute gifts to your basket like we did, sorry about it!)

Now we’ve the clobber, time for the the food. During the party season, colleagues of ours are always hoping and expecting that we make something for the various gatherings taking place and this recipe has, so far, become a big favourite with many people this year. By simply taking some of the most traditional flavours of Christmas Day and rolling them into some beautiful puff pastry, these will be sure to satisfy all your guests as a quick treat over the festive season.

Turkey & Cranberry Rolls

Makes 12 (at 6cm length) or 24 at (3cm length)

Ingredients

300g Turkey Mince
3 tbs Cranberry Sauce
1/2 Onion, chopped finely (we used a food processor to really get it fine and avoid tears)
30g Golden Breadcrumbs
1 tbs mustard powder
1 tbs dried thyme
1 tbs dried parsley
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 sheet ready rolled puff pastry
1 egg

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.

2. Put all the turkey mince, cranberry sauce, onion, breadcrumbs and spices into a bowl and using clean hands, combine them all together until well mixed.

3. Ensuring the pastry has been kept in the fridge, remove it and unroll the sheet, keeping the long side toward you. Divide into three even strips, also towards you.

4. Place a sausage-shaped line of the turkey mince along one half of the pastry, keeping it quite compact. (See tip below)

5. Whisk the egg in a ramekin, and brush along each side of the pastry. Fold the other half of pastry over the turkey mix, sealing down on the join. Roll the pastry sausage over itself, so the join is now on the base. Retain the egg for later.

6. Repeat on the remaining two strips. Then using a sharp knife, divide the rolls into individual bites. Best method is to cut in half, then divide into halves again, depending on the desired size (12 or 24).

7. Place on the lined baking sheet and put into the hot oven for 10 minutes. After this time has elapsed, remove from the oven and brush on the remaining egg wash. This allows the pastry 10 minutes to puff up before the egg wash adds weight, prohibiting it from doing it any more.

8. Place back into the oven for 15-20 minutes, depending on how golden brown you want them. Once taken out and semi-cooled, scoff them right up. These are best fresh from the oven, but will keep for two days if kept in the fridge in tupperware.

Tip: depending on how sweet you want them, feel free to add more cranberry sauce. Alternatively, instead of adding it to the turkey mixture, spread a small layer on the pastry before placing the mince on top!

Our stocking ribbon, “Eat Me” cocktail sticks and copper bells all from Paperchase. Napkins from West Elm.

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Disclosure: ASOS have part-sponsored this post, however, all opinions and content our own.