Heston Blumenthal Hidden Clementine Christmas Pudding vs Coles Mini Christmas Pudding (7 Oct 2013)

http://www.coles.com.au

Heston's magic pudding

I would never have thought to see a Heston Blumenthal product on the shelves of Coles so when I spotted his Hidden Clementine Christmas Pudding ($7, 227g) and Hidden Orange Christmas Pudding ($18, 1.2kg) I was excited to try them. I've saved the Hidden Orange Christmas Pudding for Christmas Day with the family but was curious to compare the Hidden Clementine Christmas Pudding with the much cheaper Coles Mini Christmas Pudding ($2, 110g). I've had plenty of the Coles mini pudding in past and have actually enjoyed them for what they are with ice cream. Steaming either pudding would take 30–40 minutes so I chose to microwave them which only takes a minute. I found the aroma and syrupy moist texture of Heston's pudding more appealing over the more cake like Coles pudding. It's definitely a rich tasting pudding which can be a little challenge to eat a lot of it but having some custard or ice cream will help cut through the richness. I still didn't mind the Coles pudding although it tasted more like a cake with sultanas and was much less moist. The Heston pudding also had a noticeable texture of nuts. Heston's packaging looks more special and sophisticated and would make for a nicer gift option.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Rich flavour and moist texture in the Heston pudding

CONS: Heston's pudding apparently sells out quickly

MUST TRY: Hidden Orange Christmas Pudding on Christmas Day

VERDICT: I enjoyed the rich flavour and moist syrupy texture of Heston's pudding. I think best enjoyed with custard or ice cream.

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Coles Heston Blumenthal from Waitrose - Hidden Clementine Christmas Pudding ($7, 227g), Hidden Orange Christmas Pudding ($18, 1.2kg)

Coles Mini Christmas Pudding ($2, 110g), Heston from Waitrose Hidden Clementine Christmas Pudding ($7, 227g)

Steam for 30 minutes or microwave for 30 seconds — I choose microwave

Steam for 40 minutes or microwave for 1 minute — I chose microwave

Heston has nicer packaging — looks more special

Heston pudding is larger and visually looked more moist

Coles Mini Christmas Pudding ($2 110g) — tasted mostly of sultanas and cake, not too dry but not very moist either

Heston from Waitrose Hidden Clementine Christmas Pudding ($7 227g) — very moist, tasted brandy, fruit & nut texture, syrupy, intense flavour so balance with some custard or ice cream
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Christmas lunch with the family: Seafood and Pavlova (25 Dec 2012)

Merry Seafood Christmas

Christmas lunch always involves seafood in my family which we buy at the Sydney Fish Market on Christmas Eve. I really need to learn how to shucked oysters though so I can have them fresh with brine rather than buying them shucked in advance. King Tiger Prawns from Nicholas Seafood Traders were good. Alaskan King Crab was bought from Coles by my bargain hunter dad. Peeled from the shell and ready to go on the day. We always have plenty of salad and smoked ham too. For dessert we can't go past the pavlova dressed with as much fresh fruit and whipped cream to your liking. Fresh mango and passionfruit drizzled on top brings it to an extra yummy level. I hope you all had a special Christmas with family and friends.

Other Family Christmas lunches: 
• 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: A time to sit down with the family and be thankful

CONS: There's always a lot of washing up after Christmas lunch

MUST TRY: Learning to how to shuck an oyster

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Port Stephens Sydney Rock Oysters ($18/dozen) from Doyle's @ Sydney Fish Market

King Tiger Prawns ($31.99/kg) from Nicholas Seafood Traders

Alaskan King Crab legs

Smoked salmon

Mum's potato salad

Bean salad

Make your own salad

Dutch carrots and fennel

Home cooked beetroot

Smoked ham

Mussels in tomato and white wine

Homemade garlic bread

Third Generation Gourmet Classic Salad Dressing and stuffed olives

Seafood cocktail sauce and lemons for the prawns and oysters

Full table

ACDC You Shook Me All Night Long Moscato 2011, Warburn Estate

Dress your own pavlova

Pavlova by Calais

Gingerbread Folk under the knife

Christmas tree

Silly jokes, toys and Christmas crackers

Pre-Christmas midnight shopping at Sydney Fish Market, Pyrmont (24 Dec 2012)

Bank Street, Pyrmont NSW 2009

http://www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au

Seafood lovers Christmas

If you love your seafood then you'll certainly love visiting the Sydney Fish Market. I certainly do and over the last few years its become a family tradition to shop for the Christmas lunch during the 36 hour non-stop trading marathon. The first time I went at midnight I was surprised to find it was as busy as a normal weekend crowd and things haven't changed. The benefit of going in the middle of the night is that you'll still find free parking outside around Wentworth Park and there isn't as much traffic on the roads compared to the daytime. Oysters and prawns are always on the shopping list with sometimes lobster, mussels and Alaskan king crab. I usually buy my oysters from Nicholas Seafood Traders which is the first shop you pass opposite Blackwattle Deli. They supply the black plastic trays with your purchase which is handy for transporting the oysters safely. This year I noticed Doyle's at the Fish Market were shucking oysters to order and also supplying the black tray so thought I'd give them a go. They were more expensive at $18/dozen but at least I knew they were just shucked so they would be as fresh as possible for Christmas lunch. One year I need to learn how to shuck the oysters myself so they are super fresh on Christmas Day. I usually buy my prawns from Nicholas Seafood Traders as well. Their Gold Coast Tiger Prawns always look so super fresh.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Extensive variety of seafood from many different shops, Late night pre-Christmas trading, Large selection of oysters

CONS: Always crowded, Traffic can be busy during peak times, Limited free street parking close by, Seafood isn't cheap

MUST TRY: Learning how to store and shuck oysters

VERDICT: The Sydney Fish Market is a one stop market for fresh seafood

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Sydney Rock Oysters from Port Stephens ($18/dozen) shucked to order at Doyle's

Looks like the same oyster opening system they use at The Morrison

Jumbo Cooked Black Tiger Prawns ($31.99/kg) — I'll have 25 please

These scampi looked very good — maybe next time

Plenty of lobster to choose from

Waterside Fruit Connection is a pretty good for fresh fruit and vegetables

Midnight dining for seafood lovers

Big delivery of fresh seafood arrives

Paid parking available onsite but gets full quickly

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