MORE PLEASE - GIFTS AND GOOD DINNERS

My Ultimate Gift Guide for Hosts, and recipes for Irish Birria and Pollo alla Pizzaiola

Hello wonderful More Please subscribers and happy December! So thrilled as always to be writing to you all.

A reminder before we start - the Dirty Dishes chat is open for all your christmas hosting needs! As paid subscribers you can message on there directly and we can all pitch in with advice and support, or you can just use it as a place to moan about your relatives that is also fine with me.

So here we are - the last month of the year and it’s so bloody busy. It seems counter-intuitive that this month should end up being so hectic, when really it would be nice to slow down and take stock and generally have a bit of a rest in order to prepare oneself for the new year coming. With this in mind, I am sharing two excellent, easy, slow-cooks that are perfect for the Twixmas period. Both are more on the tangy, spicy side of things, so you aren’t faced with another meal that just tastes like a camembert. They are also very easily prepped and frozen ahead if you do have the time before, then you really will be able to rest in those weird in-between days, and simply reheat to the dulcet tones of the TV thats been on for 12 hours straight.

So there’s Irish Birria - a blend of Irish Stew and Mexican Birria that is just an utterly spectacular cosy winter dish. The spicy broth, fudgy carrots and potatoes and tender lamb can be enjoyed with tortillas or rice, or just by itself. Most importantly, this will warm you from the bottom of your toes to the top of your head.

Then we also have Pollo Alla Pizzaiola - softly braised chicken in a sauce that essentially reminds me of a good pizza topping, hence the name I have cheekily given it. Tomatoes, onions, red peppers, chilli and of course the worlds best shit black olives are all present and correct, and served on a pile of cheesy, buttery polenta this is a pretty unbeatable dinner.

BUT FIRST. THE ONE YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR.

My first ever Gift Guide for Hosts. A list of things I have / things I want, that I think would make incredible Christmas presents this year for the people who host in your life, and if that is you then send it to the people buying for you. As much as possible is from independent shops or makers, shopping small at this time of year is more important than ever. I hope you find some amazing ideas on here and have an easier Christmas shop because of it!