Festive Buffet
This type of meal is especially ideal if you are entertaining a large number of people, and although you would have spent days cooking, during the meal you can relax with your guests and enjoy the meal!
Pot Roasted Beef
Buy a large cut of beef (around 3 kilos); brown on all sides in a water less pan; add one litre of beef stock, some worchester sauce, chopped garlic (about 4 cloves), 2 bay leaves, one glass of wine; simmer till all liquid is absorbed (about 2/3 hrs); cool and slice.
Slow cooked pork loin
This can also be pot roasted in the same way as the beef above; if using a slow cooker, cook for about 4/5 hours; first drizzle with some soy sauce and one can of beer, then rub the pork with the following: 1 tbs mixed spice, 1 tbs crushed coriander, 1 tbs mustard seed, 1 tsp ground cloves,salt, pepper, 3 bay leaves; simmer till browned. Cool and slice.
Turkey croquettes (pulpetti tad-dundjan)
Process till well combined the following: about 500g cooked left over turkey, 1 large onion, 1 slice of bread, 1 tbs turkey seasoning, 1 tbs cajun spice, 1 egg to bind; form into small patties, then in a bowl combine some breadcrumbs, 1 tbs turkey seasoning, 1 tbs cajun spice, salt and pepper, 2 tbs sesame seeds; freeze till needed and then cook in a moderate oven drizzled with some oil till well browned (you will need to turn them over halfway cooked).
Ham in apple jelly
This is a very refreshing terrine made with gammon; cut the gammon into wide strips; peel, core and slice one tart apple; chop one onion; in a pan simmer 700 ml apple juice, add the chopped onion, and 2 cloves (optional) add one ham stock cube (or chicken), but do not boil; when on the point of boiling, remove from heat and add two small jars of gelatine powder (around 40 g); ; line a loaf tin with cling film; layer the gammon slices, add chopped parsley, the sliced apples and top with the liquid; continue layering and adding the liquid and finish with the gammon and parsley; bring the cling film together to have the terrine completely closed up; chill for at least 24 hours; to assemble: line a dish with rocket leaves, add some slices of good Maltese oranges, take one orange and prick all over with cloves; put the terrine in the middle of the dish and slice when ready to serve.
Red cabbage and sprouts frittata
This is a good way of using left-over vegetables from Christmas day lunch; simply add the cooked red cabbage and sprouts (mine were seasoned with onion, bacon and nuts); beat 3 eggs mix together and season well, top with some sunflower seeds, and bake in a moderate oven for about 30 minutes; cool and cut into squares.
Broccoli and blue cheese frittata
Steam some broccoli (about 8 florets is fine); saute one chopped onion, leek; beat 3 eggs mix together the broccoli, the sauted onions, eggs, 50g grated cheddar cheese,some parmesan; season well; pour mixture in a greased, lined dish (with baking paper), crumble some blue cheese on top, and sprinkle with more grated cheddar; bake in a moderate oven for about 30 minutes; cool and cut into squares.
Spinach and white sauce frittata
Microwave some spinach cubes (about 5) for a few minutes; mix the cooked spinach with one small packet of bechamel (or use some left over white sauce); add 3 eggs beaten, one chopped cooked onion, leek, a good grating of nutmeg, season well, grated cheddar cheese and feta cheese (or white gbejna); pour into a greased dish sprinkle more grated cheese and bake for about 30 minutes.
Vermicelli slice
Boil 200g vermicelli; saute one chopped onion, leek, spring onion, 2 cloves garlic, one fresh garlic with 1 pkt chopped lean bacon; beat 3 large eggs and mix the cooked pasta with the onion/bacon mix; season well, add chopped parsley, 100g grated cheddar cheese, some parmesan; assemble in a greased dish, sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs, and more grated cheese, and bake in a moderate oven for about 3o minutes; cool and slice.
Pate de foie (chicken liver pate)
Saute in some butter 500g chicken liver; add one chopped onion, 5 cloves chopped garlic, fresh chopped garlic, 1 pkt lean chopped bacon; add a dash of soy sauce, season well; when browned, cool and liquidise with some parsley,add some hot water and some melted butter (this is important to set the pate); add a dash of brandy; cool and serve with either brown toast or focaccia. (The pate is in the heart-shaped dish in the pic below).
Focaccia
Sieve 500g plain flour; add one sachet instant yeast, 1 tbs sugar,1 tsp salt, 5 tbs olive oil a good handful chopped sage; mix well; add 350 ml of tepid water and mix into a dough; add some flour as you kneed the dough if it is too sticky; shape in 2 balls and allow to rise in a warm area, till doubled in size, in a clean, oiled bow; line a dish with baking paper; flatten the first ball and stretch the dough thinly; repeat with the second ball to completely cover the first layer; flatten slightly and add a good sprinkling coarse sea-salt, dot with fresh rosemary sprigs and thyme, drizzle with more olive oil, leave to rest for about 30 minutes; preheat the oven to the fullest setting and bake for about 20 minutes or till golden.
The buffet
Also seen in the picture above: cumin spiced potatoes (recipe in the blog) and stuffed olives.