THE REMAINS OF THE DAY

Pecan Cheese Ball

If you are anything like me, the day after Christmas you are pretty well over the flavours/food of Christmas; ham, turkey, dried fruit in any form, candy canes, (dare I include chocolate in this list?) and you may have quite a bit of all or some of those things still lying around the house. I always seem to have the remains of cheese platters wrapped with great care, but useless by themselves. So here are a few ideas for you for the post silly season festivities. Thermomix certainly helps me use my leftovers more efficiently…and hopefully you’ll find the same thing. So a couple of ideas for you;

As in years gone by, I know Candy Cane Ice Cream will be showing up at our table the week following the decoration take down.

The remains of the cheeseboard ended up here…

Pecan Cheese Ball

NEED:

45g peppered Parmesan, cubed

180g Taleggio cheese

70g Ploughman’s cheese (tasty with onion)

50g cream

20g brandy

150-200g toasted pecans

DO:

Place Parmesan into Thermomix bowl and mill for 10 seconds on speed 10.

Add remaining ingredients except pecans and blend for 30 seconds on speed 5-6. Scrape down sides of bowl and repeat.

Place toasted pecans on a double layer of foil or baking paper. Tip cheese mix onto the nuts and roll to cover. Wrap tightly and refrigerate until solid.

Serve at room temperature with crackers, pickles, olives, grape tomatoes etc.

I have made no secret of my love of ham and cheese prior to Christmas…but this is something you can whip up in no time apres Christmas. My success rule of thumb is how long the food lasts, and basically, these were snarfed down in moments…so yes…added to the wildly successful list. And Yay…that’s 500g ham gone!

Bacon and Cheese Sausage Rolls

NEED:

2 cloves garlic

handful fresh parsley

100g Edam cheese, cubed

80g Parmesan cheese, cubed

70g chorizo sausage, roughly chopped

500g ham, roughly chopped

60g wholemeal breadcrumbs

1 egg

3-4 sheets puff pastry, thawed

egg wash as needed

sesame seeds (optional)

DO:

Preheat oven to 180°C and line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Set aside.

Place garlic and cheeses into Thermomix bowl and mill for 8-9 seconds on speed 9.

Add chorizo, ham, breadcrumbs and egg and blend for 20-30 seconds on speed 8.

Cut each sheet of pastry in half and place filling on long edge of pastry. Roll and wrap filling with pastry and place seam side down on prepared trays. Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with sesame seeds and slice into bite size pieces. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and fragrant. Serve hot.

What are your favourite left over recipes?