insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 21 - November 2016 | Page 33

CHRISTMAS

What to eat?
Step one: always prepare as much food as you can before people arrive.
Christmas parties, if restricted to a maximum of around eight guests can
be sit-down affairs, with fancy food and fine wine flowing, but, any more
guests than that and you won’t want to be stuck in front of the oven.

cooked side of salmon, potato salad and salsa verde (recipe below) is
a crowd pleaser; goat cheese and cranberry tartlets are divine; and a
Christmas party isn’t a Christmas party without a cheese board groaning
under the weight of a huge Brie.

Bite-sized finger food is always well appreciated by milling partygoers, but
that doesn’t have to mean straight-out-of-the-seventies vol-au-vents are
your go-to solution. Blinis are the new vol-au-vents and can be piled high
with roast beef and horseradish; garlic mushrooms and beetroot; and
prawn and guacamole (the citrus will save it from going brown). Whole

Once your guests have filled their boots, bring out a mound of profiteroles
with both chocolate and caramel-cinnamon dipping sauce; and, for
the late-stayers, round up a midnight feast of baked ham glazed with
mustard and cloves, pickled onions and hot crusty bread.

Recipe - salsa verde (makes 1 jar)
Ingredients:

• 1 small shallot, finely chopped
• 2tbsp red wine vinegar
• 8 anchovies
• 30g flat-leaf parsley
• 30g basil
• 10g mint
• 4tbsp capers, rinsed and roughly chopped
• 120ml extra virgin olive oil (more if you like)

Method:

1. Soak the shallot in a bowl with the vinegar
for 45 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, mash the anchovies in a pestle
and mortar, then gradually add the herbs
and capers to form a coarse paste.
3. Stir in the shallot with half of the soaking
vinegar, then slowly whisk in the oil until you
reach your desired consistency. Add vinegar
and salt to taste.

From Christmas Chic To Fabulous Boutique
Gifts Galore, Fashion, Beauty, Homeware
Artisan Makers, Food & Drink

THE BAY TREE

AWARD
WINNING
RESTAURANT

CHRISTMAS GIFT FAIRS

ARUNDEL, WEST SUSSEX



11Ͳ12 NOV TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT
24Ͳ25 NOV UCKFIELD, EAST SUSSEX 
WIN £50 worth of vouchers to spend*
Go to www.countrylifestylefairs.co.uk

Perfect for family and friends
Christmas Gatherings
“A fabulous collection of Boutique Owners &
Artisan Makers selling hundreds of beautiful
& unique Christmas gifts & decorations”

We will happily cater for small parties up to 22 people or you can
book the entire restaurant for a larger party. The Bay Tree will be
having a Christmas Set Menu allowing parties to order in advance.
Give us a ring on 01903 883 679. If we are unable to answer
please leave a message with information regarding your booking
(Name, Contact Number, Number of Guests, Date and Time) and
we will get back to you as soon as possible. Let us know if you
would like us to email a copy of the menu.
The Bay Tree looks forward to hearing from you.

Open 10Ͳ4 / Admission £4 / Free Parking 
11Ͳ12 Nov Ͳ Salomons Estate Tun Wells TN3 0TG
24Ͳ25 Nov Ͳ East Sussex National Uckfield TN22 5ES

The Bay Tree, 21 Tarrant Street, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9DG



*T&Cs apply

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