Food News

GT's Christmas hamper

All we want - and need - for the silly season, from summery pear ciders to a spiced brandy sauce perfect on top of Christmas pudding.

By Samantha Teague
GT Christmas hamper
The turkey is in the oven and the ham is carved, but what about the trimmings? With the help of our friends at Snowgoose, we've put together a hamper filled with our favourite snacks, preserves, puddings and more.
Pictured top to bottom, left to right.
1. Sheridan's Irish brown-bread crackers
Irish cheesemonger Sheridan's goal is to create the perfect cracker to accompany cheese. We think they've hit the mark with these buttery brown-bread crackers, made with stone-ground wholemeal flour and buttermilk.
2. Mason Clarke Preserving Co cumquat & native pepperberry preserve
When it comes to a true Christmas spread, you can never have enough condiments. Mason Clarke's cumquat and native pepperberry preserve pairs perfectly with cooked meats and will add a native Australian touch to your Christmas lunch.
3. Silver Penny Puddings traditional Christmas pudding
Silver Penny Puddings is dedicated to making traditional handmade Christmas puddings. Baked at Kilmore in regional Victoria, the puddings are packed with all-natural Australian ingredients, and made the classic way with suet instead of butter, giving them a richer flavour.
4. Mason Clarke Preserving Co blackcurrant jelly 
Mason Clarke's all-natural preserves are handmade in small batches in country Victoria. We've chosen their blackcurrant jelly - it's perfect teamed with turkey or a cracker freighted with cheese.
5. Will Studd Lincet Brillat Savarin
Our resident cheese expert, Will Studd, knows his stuff. For Christmas, he's hand-picked this rich and velvety Brillat Savarin, a soft cow's milk cheese from France. While it has a beautiful sweetness that will only get better with a little time, it's not that easy to resist.
6. Le Roi Roquefort
This Le Roi Roquefort, also chosen by Will Studd, is made using raw ewe's milk. Ripened slowly, it has a rich and creamy texture and a salty-sweet finish. If you're expecting a bigger party, add a one-kilo hexagon of ultra-creamy Le Dauphin brie to the mix.
7. Baker D Chirico gingerbread stars
Gingerbread is a must for Christmas, and the spicy goods coming out of the oven at Baker D Chirico of Melbourne are among the country's finest. There's plenty of punch in these beautifully wrapped sugar-dusted stars. 
8. Silver Penny Puddings spiced brandy sauce You can't have Christmas pudding without a boozy sauce. And Silver Penny Puddings have a smooth and spicy brandy sauce that fits the bill. For a touch more richness, mix in a generous spoonful of cream before serving.
9. St Ronan's pear cider
Our wine editor, Max Allen, is partial to a cider or two. He loves St Ronan's for its "gorgeous rich, complex pear aromas and lovely soft, creamy texture". It's also the perfect accompaniment to the Brillat Savarin.
Plus a box of Snowgoose cherries
It's not an Aussie summer without stone fruit. Your kilo of sweet, plump red cherries, grown on orchards in Australia's cherry capital, Young in NSW, will be hand-picked just 48 hours before delivery.
In collaboration with fine-food hamper specialist Snowgoose, we've designed the ideal gift (or treat for yourself), delivered to your door for $195 (including delivery). For a luxe option, upgrade to a 1kg Le Dauphin brie for an extra $75. To order, go to gourmettraveller.com.au/snowgoose. While stocks last.
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  • undefined: Samantha Teague