celebrating christmas in july with iceland.

Christmas... not the first word that springs to mind in the middle of Summer. But a great festive feast can take time; with all that planning behind the canapés, starters, mains, desserts and of course the ultimate cheeseboard. But who knew your freezer could be your best friend for a bountiful Christmas banquet? Embracing the #PowerofFrozen, well loved British supermarket Iceland invited me to sample their seasonal delights ahead of that all important December 25th. 

So I'll start where all good parties begin... with the canapés. With so many perfectly portioned (and photogenic) treats to snap up, I couldn't help but share these cute pork pies, abundant charcuterie board and of course... sushi! The Iceland sushi platters come frozen and are simply defrosted in advance before devouring.

For the main event, Iceland have left us spoilt for choice for Christmas 2017. From their comforting Roast Parsnip & Portobello Mushroom Pithivier to the Luxury Canadian Whole Cooked Lobster, there are plenty of festive options for meat eaters, veggies and gluten free diners alike. Of course they'll be a showstopping turkey on offer, a rather majestic 3.5kg centrepiece that can be kept in the freezer until those Christmas preparations. 

Would it be really Christmas without a mince pie? I'm not so much a fan of the dried fruit filled pastries, but I always sample a few in the festive spirit! On the other hand - I'm fully on board with the macarons and really can't wait to try these.

And last but not least - curating the ultimate cheese board. From masterful blues to strong Cheddars and creamy French varieties to novelty creations, there was something for every seasonal spread. I was especially impressed with the provenance of the range, with hand selected flavours for all tastebuds. I would personally go for a creamy French Brie, luxury Manchego, good quality Red Leicester and something with onions or chive for variety. What would you choose?

With so much mouthwatering food to get excited about, it was great to sit down and enjoy some of the dishes that Neil Nugent, Chef and Head of Food Development at Iceland, is particularly proud of. I really enjoyed the salmon terrine, which comes served as a six piece snowflake. You would have no idea that these dishes had been in the freezer before being beautifully presented to us.

This elegant chocolate dessert, with soft vanilla centre, is accompanied by a sharp fruity sauce. Again super handy for keeping in the freezer ready to impress those (even unexpected) guests.

There were many lovely gifts showcased at the event too, perfect for foodie gifts or a treat for yourself! If anyone wants to buy me a bottle of that Prosecco... I wouldn't say no. Cheers!

What would be your perfect festive feast? Have any of these Christmas goodies caught your eye?

In collaboration with Iceland