This free event caters for all the family to celebrate the launch of Christmas in the
Nags Head Town Centre with the switching on of the Christmas tree lights.
There will be a craft and food market, enjoy music and dance performances
on the community stage, mingle and enjoy street entertainment, meet Santa's
reindeer, sample fantastic hot food or tackle the climbing challenge and rides.
4th December 11:30-5:30
Holloway Rd between Camden Road and Parkhurst Road
I'll have my luxury homemade Smy Chutney, jelly and jam as well as Christmas items such as:
If you can't make it to the Christmas Spectacular you can also order online or visit me at Whitecross St Market on Thursday's and Friday at the Barbican and Waitrose end of the market and sample all the yummy flavours before you buy.
My amazing and dear friend Alison Pearson kindly gave me a massive bag of bramley apples a few months ago that she had collected from her mother-in-law's garden. From the apples I made a lovely Apple and Pepper Chutney with pink peppercorns and a secret ingredient - Smy Chutney six-pepper jelly. The resulting chutney proved really tasty and became a popular seller at Whitecross Street Market with the apples, pink peppercorns and six-pepper jelly combining to create a lovely crisp chutney with just a tad of background heat. I gave Alison several jars to enjoy with her family and to give to her mother-in-law. Alison and I used to work together and it was one of, if not the best working relationships that I have ever had. I love Alison and totally respect everything about her; she is so professional, creative and family oriented and has been such a good friend to me the entire time I've known her. My last gush is that she also has an utterly wicked sense of humour.
Cooking and mealtimes are a total family affair at the Pearson residence and Alison rang me to tell me that everyone was really enjoying the chutney and she gave me the following recipe that her family had created using the apple and pepper chutney. It sounded so lovely that I had to try it right away and I have since made it several times and wanted to share it here. It couldn't be easier, couldn't be tastier and is perfect for chilly autumnal evenings.
You simply grill sausages in a bit of olive oil for 15 minutes or until they are nicely browned and then transfer them to a tray lined with a large piece of aluminium.
Using the pan that you cooked your sausages in, add a little more olive oil, heat it and add sliced brampley or cooking apples, a sliced onion and lightly grill for a few minutes until they have a nice colour.
Add the grilled sausages back into the pan and grill all together for a minute or two.
Transfer the sausages, onion and apple back to the aluminium foil and place two big tablespoons worth of apple and pepper chutney on top. For an extra kick you could add a bit of six-pepper jelly as well. Fold the aluminium to create a sealed parcel and place in an oven preheated to 180 ℃ for 15-20 minutes. Remove the tray from the oven and carefully open the parcel. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes and peas or broccoli, delicious!
Thanks again Alison for the apples and inspiration!
Thanks to Sarah for sending this recipe suggestion for six-pepper jelly. She marinated some chicken breasts in six-pepper jelly and then baked them. A nice gravy resulted during cooking and she served them with boiled potatoes. Thanks Wheelz!!!
I'll be at the View Tube Christmas craft market on Saturday 3 December, from 10am-3pm with lots of beautiful craft gifts and a festive feast and mulled wine available from the Container Cafe. I'll be selling my luxury homemade chutney, jelly and jam as well as lots of gift boxes which make a perfect present for family members, friends and colleagues. You can find more information on Smy website but things like:
I love the View Tube and was lucky enough to attend a craft market that they had last year. You may have read about it as it is one of my most read blog posts! There were loads of amazing items available and the backdrop is one of the most exciting areas of London with a stunning view of the Olympic Park. They are along the cycle path, have an amazing cafe and offer all sorts of events, exhibitions and activities. You can find out a lot more about them by watching some brilliant films here.
Why not check out their new exhibition series Sparked while you are at the Christmas Market. Inspired by 'Art in the Park', the Olympic Delivery Authority programme of public art across the Olympic Park, The View Tube will welcome Tomas Klassnik and Riitta Ikonen as the first curators of the Sparked series. Exploring the physical landscape as an organic canvas, this interactive exhibition looks at biological drawing devices, giant seedballs, hidden paths and the UK landscape and heritage. There is a free activity sheet to go with the exhibition for any young person who visits.
Inspired by Fantasticology from The Klassnik Corporation, We Made That and Riitta Ikonen, a series of wildflower meadows, which act as a floral celebration of the industrial heritage of the Olympic site. The exhibition will run from 25 November 2011 – 22 January 2012 and is FREE!
Also on 3 December View Tube are offering a fantastic free art workshop for you and your family (suitable age 7-14yrs) with artist Riitta Ikonen. Drawing on her Sparked exhibition you'll explore the heritage of the Olympic Park and learn how to create your own seed garden card you can take away. The morning session is from 10.30am-12pm and the afternoon session is from 1pm - 2.30pm in the Education Classroom at View Tube. Limited space available so please book your space on either the morning or afternoon session by emailing info@theviewtube.co.uk
Here is a map of where the View Tube is located on The Greenway, Newham, Stratford, East London. The best bet is to take public transport or cycle to the View Tube as there is no parking or vehicle access to the Greenway. The nearest public transport is Pudding Mill Lane DLR, one stop from Stratford. When reaching Pudding Mill Lane DLR, please:
Exit station and turn immediately left
Go down short flight of steps and cross the road
Follow the blue hoardings round to the left
Go up the tarmac ramp/path to the Greenway
You can't miss it!
There's also time to sell your amazing craft items at the Christmas craft market, if you'd like a stall, please contact info@theviewtube.com for more details.
