Rhubarb Compote

image courtesy of http://millyanddottie.blogspot.co.uk/

This wonderful accompaniment can go with a variety of things. Rhubarb goes with all things gamey, so its a treat to have with duck, goose, guinea fowl, venison or even beef if the tone suits. Aside form this it goes phenomenally well with smoked fish sucj as mackerel (with a hint of truffle if you're feeling adventurous).

If necessary you can also add this to desserts as an accompaniment too - it goes phenomenally well with alot of things in the dessert world also with apples, pears and even strawberries (in some contexts) or can be aded to pies and crumbles as a secret ingredient.

You will need(makes a large batch:

1 Kilo of rhubarb stripped and diced
75g of fresh ginger skinned and cut into a fine dice, or grated from frozen
125g of red wine
250ml additional red wine* (for the stock syrup)
250ml (by volume) sugar* (for the stock syrup)

The doing bit:

Make stock syrup  by combining the additional red wine ans sugar in a pan, and heating gently until the sugar has melted into the wine.


To the stock syrup add the rhubarb and cook till tender

Add to this the ginger reduce by a third on a low heat

Add the red wine and reduce by another third the mixture

You should have a deep red colour and a thick consistency.

allow to cool slightly and store.

Plum Sauce

Plum sauce is one of those wonderful luxurious sauces that provides brilliant mellow tones, deep flavour that complements a variety of herbs and meats and other vegetables, and works well to balance alot of strong and salty flavours. In particular as a sauce plum goes phenomenally well with duck and game. The use of our own larder items here also makes for easy assembly and construction.

You will need (per serving):

2 tbsp plum relish
200 ml chicken or game stock
sprig of rosemary
salt and pepper to taste

The doing bit:

in a saucepan heat up the plum relish gently. Add the stock and rosemary, bring the mix to the boil stirring occasionally, then simmer until reduced to required thickness. Season where appropriately.

Orange Braised Fennel

image courtesy of leighcourtfarm.org

*Part of the sizzling staffordshire menu series*

I like this as a side dish because its a good accompaniment to alot of game dishes, particularly in the poultry section of the food group such as turkey, duck, pheasant, partridge and guinea fowl etc. The citrus element works very well with  the aniseed element of fennel and provides a nice clean tone to complement game perfectly.

You will need (serves 3):

3 bulbs fennel, halved vetrically, trimmed.
tbsp olive oil
200ml orange juice
200ml chicken or vegetable stock (chicken preferred)
2 cloves of garlic chopped
salt and pepper to season

The doing bit:

Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan, add the fennel and sear each side of each half bulb until coloured. Turn over and repeat, add the orange juice, stock and garlic. Bring to the boil, then cover the pan and lower to a simmer. Cook until fennel is tender (roughly 20 minutes). Remove from liquor and serve.

Cumberland Sauce

image courtesy of taste.com

If theres one sauce i love, its cumberland sauce. It gives a wonderful sweet flavour which is ideal during the winter periods for alot of foods that require the sweetness that this sauce provides. You can have it as a sauce with meats and cheeses, or even with pates or terrines. Its also brilliant for accompanying all poultry and game, and even pork.

Its very easy to make and this batch should be sufficient for a family sized batch - give it a try with your xmas dinner, or other meal you're going to enjoy over the festive season. You will fall in love with it forever.

4 Oranges Zest and juiced
1 k of Redcurrant jelly
250ml of Medium sherry
½ a teaspoon of Nutmeg
½ teaspoon of Cinnamon
80g of Root ginger finely chopped

Melt the redcurrant jelly into the orange juice

Add remaining ingredients and reduce to a jam like consistence