#10 Days of Tognini's Christmas - Christmas Puddings

Christmas Pudding

The puddings are ready and just waiting for a home! 

At the Tognini's family christmas nothing is more highly anticipated then the Christmas pudding. Seriously. You know it is pudding time when you can smell the fruits cooking away in the pot, next  we pour warm Grand Mariner and set the pudd alight. Keep the kiddies away from the potential fire hazard and have the sober adult in charge of the pudding!

Each pudding is handmade with love by Narelle who spends hours prepping everything for your Christmas pudding. The pudding is truly delicious and will be a huge hit at any Christmas event. 

Best served with Tognini's vanilla bean anglaise and a generous scoop of ice cream. Yum. 

We can not wait for Christmas.. only 11 more sleeps!

#10 Days of Tognini's Christmas - Christmas Cake

Christmas Cake & Fruit Mince Pies



These little treasures are simply irresistable.

The fruit mince that is used the fruit mince pies, the fruit cakes and our puddings has carefully been prepared and been marinating for five months.

Our delicious Christmas cakes, are a family recipe past down through the generations, made every year with love and care.


 Let’s say it’s as good or better than any you could make at home yourself. If you have the time to do it yourself at home and are up for the challenge, the fruit mince is available in cryovaced packages at Milton Cafe Deli and Springhill Trattoria for you to take home and prepare yourself.

#10 Days of Tognini's Christmas - Nougat

Nougat.


Who doesn't love nougat? It comes down to individual preference on whether you like it soft and chewy or hard and crunchy.

There is debate on where exactly Nougat started in Southern Europe, between the French, Spanish and Italians. In Italy, nougat is commonly consumed around Christmas time in Sicily known as Torrone.

Oliviero Ospedaletto is our favourite product line coming through this year with nougat being their specialty product.

Throughout this range we are carrying both original and chocolate soft nougat, hard nougat and individually wrapped bite size pieces, which would be perfect for hangning off the Christmas treee or hiding throughout your home on Christmas day!

#10 Days of Tognini's Christmas - Home-wares

Home-wares 

If you are yet to check out the extensive range of home-wares at our Spring Hill Trattoria - you are missing out! From soy three wick candles to wooden kitchenware, gorgeous ceramic plates and glasses.

We love these cute wooden herb garden naming picks, perfect for a Christmas gift (or even just for your own garden patch)!

We can help you select what ever you need and can include the home-ware in a gift hamper with a selection of delicious treats. 

# 10 Days of Tognini's Christmas - Panforte

Panforte

Made with love in Italy this is the bianco panforte or 'white panforte'. The so - called Margherita variety is named after Queen Margherita, wife of King Umbero I, who during a visit to Siena to see the Palio was deighted by the panfote bianco.

Panforte is a spicy Italian fruitcake - chewy, nutty and delicious.

This year we only have the Masoni brand of panforte imported from Siena, Italy. Made using only the highest quality ingredients including the fabulous Tuscan millefiori honey, their Panforte is noticeably moister and contains more nuts and candied fruit than many others.

Experience something special this year and try this beautiful Panforte Margerita.

#10 Days of Tognini's Christmas - Blue Stilton Pots

Blue Stilton Pots

The Blue Stilton is the quintessential English cheese, being one of the world's best known and much loved cheeses. 

This unique cheese has been made in the Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire for over 100 years. There are just six dairies in the world licensed to make Blue Stilton cheese. 

Serve this classic blue with savoury crackers and a glass of wine this Christmas. 

Sweet wines go especially well with Stilton, Port being the drink of choice. If you are game try mixing some Port in the gorgeous ceramic Stilton cheese pot and enjoy! 

Speaking of cheese - Christmas time would not be complete without a Tognini's cheese box. This year we will have a choice of two boxes – it is Australia vs England – it's the 'ashes of the cheese!' Both are excellent value at $95 if the choice is too hard, just buy both!

#10 Days of Tognini's Christmas - Olives

Olives


Olives. We love olives, any colour, shape, stuffing, size and seasoning.

Olives are not just beautiful and tasty but are very versatile. 
Enjoy some green lemon scillian olives as part of an antipasto platter with some salami or prosciutto. Even throw a combination through your Christmas salad to dress it up and add colour. 
 Warm up a handful in pan with a little rosemary for a perfect starter.  

Any way and style these are delicious and will hit the spot this Christmas!
We have a selection at both Spring Hill and Milton Cafe Deli.  Our Milton Cafe Deli has an extensive range of deli goods and imported products. 

#10 Days of Tognini's Christmas - Panettone

Panettone

This gorgeous, sweet and delicate Italian cake is a must have on every Christmas table, perfect with a glass of champagne. 

The smell is intoxicating, as soon as the box is opened your senses transport you to a snow capped mountain in northern Italy. Or maybe that is just Mark & Narelle!

We have a range of classic Panettone at our Spring Hill Trattoria, Milton Cafe Deli and Fortitude Valley Espresso. Pop in store to check out our selection of brands and styles. Narelle's pick this year is a traditional Milanese panettone by G.Cova & Co. hand wrapped in colourful recycled paper, finished with a twine bow. 

#10 Days of Tognini's Christmas - Gift Boxes & Hampers

Gift Boxes and Hampers

Gift Boxes and Hampers are the perfect present for any occasion - for the 'foodie' in your family, the difficult in-laws that you never know what to buy, and even your best friend who has everything!

Create the perfect hamper for your gourmand or loved one. Beautifully packaged in our natural timber trays and boxes each priced to suit your budget. You can select from our extensive range of products  or have us do the work for you. 

With Christmas fast approaching we have an assortment of Italian panettone, panforte, nougat and other specialty local and imported goods in store.

Here are some suggestions to help you get started!

Joseph's olive oil, Maggie Beer & Christine Mansfield ranges

Phillippa's range of homemade cookies & nuts

A Wolf in the Kitchen, Jams & Chutneys from Alla Wolf-Tasker

Maple Muesli from Hope Island

Italian shelf products including balsamic from Modena and Tuscan olive oils

Giuseppe range of pasta and sauces, Moretti polentas

Whisk & Pin's range of organic butters and sweet jams

The Pariya range of Persian delights

Quality Australian chocolates from Byron Bay Chocolate Co.

#10 Days of Tognini's Christmas - Chutney & Relish

Delicious Chutney & Relish for your Christmas table.


Tognini's selection of condiments have you, your table and of course your Christmas ham covered. Pop in store and ask any of our friendly staff and we can help you select the perfect match. 

These are our top picks:

1. Tognini's own range of chutney and relish. These little treasures are handmade in New Zealand and are available in original flavours only at Togninis. Try our Christmas Chutney or Cranberry Port Sauce.

2. A Wolf in the Kitchen is an exciting  chutney, marmalade and jam range.  Try their Apple & Elderberry Jelly with Tognini's free range pork belly stuffed with apple, prune, pistachio and thyme to add some zing.

3. The Regimental Condiment Company is an award winning producer utilising unique family recipes.  The Fighting Furys' Tomato Relish will be fantastic on your Christmas antipasto board.

4.  Ogilvie & Co is a Perth based family owned company established in 1987. With 20 plus years experience Ogilvie & Co have mastered the art of creating traditional handmade chutneys & preserves. 

Festive Poultry, Lamb & Pork.

How do you and your loved ones celebrate Christmas? Is it a delicious lunch of fresh sliced Christmas ham and crisp salad or  a whole roast turkey and piping hot veggies for dinner?  


However you choose to celebrate the Togninis team  is here to help.  Here is a little info on our favourite festive poultry, lamb and pork items.

This year most of the whole poultry comes from Bendele farm, Darling Downs – the turkeys and ducks are free range. Also this year, we have available whole baby lamb and whole suckling pigs if you are catering for a large family. Still the most popular item on the menu is our stuffed turkey breast. The breast is stuffed with dried cranberry, apricots and almonds with mixed herbs, a must for any Christmas meal.

The pork for our Berkshire ham also known as 'Kurobuta' - meaning black pig in Japanese comes from a farm of happy free range black pigs grazing in the Byron bay area. The purebred Berkshire breed is originally from England. The pig is renowned for its black coat and the meat from the Berkshire pig is richly endowed with intramuscular fat, making it less 'fatty' than most other pork – the pork has a much higher retention of flavor and moisture in the meat. This translates to a deliciously tasty and moist smoked ham for your Christmas table. Each ham is individually handled, cured and smoked with carefully selected wood chips. This is a quality product that won't be found on any supermarket shelves. The meat is FREE from growth hormone and genetically modified feed. So, you know that you are eating well. Our entire Christmas goodies order form is available online.

Save The Date

 SAVE THE DATE

 Wednesday 28th November 

 Togninis Annual Christmas Tasting night.

More details advised soon. 

Ho Ho Ho Yum Yum Yum

Eat this now

The Tognini family are loving a ploughman's plate as the weather warms up. Here is our DIY recipe for you and loved ones to enjoy making ( & eating! ) at home. 

Ingredients 

• Tognini's housemade Chicken terrine*
• Falwasser Crackers (gluten free now available)*
• Jamon prosciutto*
• Cornichons*
• Your favorite pickle or relish from the shelf
  – try a Wolf in the Kitche*n range
• Fresh ciabatta bread*
• Tognini's house smoked salmon*
• Cheese-Testun Al Barolo*
• Quince paste *

To Serve: Arrange with love and some creative flair on a wooden board and enjoy! Match with a refreshing white wine or beer. 

This is great, brunch, lunch, dinner and anytime in between. 

* Available @ Togninis 

Horray for Spring

GOODBYE winter and cold temperatures, HELLO sunshine and trips to the beach! 

Spring arrives tomorrow and we are ready!

The Togninis team are always very excited by a new season as it brings a selection of new seasonal fruit and vegetables. Zucchini is a great Spring vegetable that is tasty and very versatile. We love this grilled Zucchini salad. Yum.

Zucchini, pine nut + currant  salad w raspberry dressing

Ingredients:

• 2-3 medium sized zucchini
• 1 cup picked flat-leaf parsley chopped finely
• 5 leaves of mint
• 2 tablespoons currants
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
• 2 tablespoons PGM raspberry dressing *
• 1 tablespoon extra raspberry vinegar
• 3 tablespoons Joseph first run olive oil
• Crushed salt and pepper

Method:

1. Chop the top and base off the zucchinis and - slice the zucchini into 1-2mm thickness pieces Brush the zucchini with olive oil and char grill on a grill pan or fry pan for a few minutes on each side. Allow to cool on absorbent paper.
2. Soak the currants in the extra raspberry vinegar. Mix the pine nuts, chopped parsley and sliced mint in a bowl.

To Serve: Place slices of zucchini on a platter, sprinkle with soaked currants, pine nut mixture and dress with remainder of raspberry vinegar + olive oil and season with salt + pepper.

*Available at Togninis

Pariya... Meaning: Fairies and other heavenly creatures. 

OR as we think of it, delicious Persian inspired products and treats.

 

Here are just a few of what is new from Pariya on our shelves.

- Sumac

- Barberry’s (As featured on Masterchef 2012).. Must try!

- Green rasins
- Rose petals
- Persian nougat 

- Lime roasted pistachios

Here is one of our FAVOURITE recipes:

Blackbean and barberry salad...We love having this with some cold cuts of turkey and ham from the deli. 

You will need:

 1 can La Morena black beans* drained and rinsed thoroughly
 1/3 cup Pariya barberries
 1 small red chili, deseeded and finely chopped
 1 cup parsley, roughly chopped
 
2 cups rocket leaves
 120g soft goats cheese , we use Yarra Valley Dairy “Gentle Goat” *

Dressing:
1 ½ Tbs. Joesph First Run extra virgin olive oil*
½ Tbs.  Simon Johnson white balsamic vinegar*

½ Tsp.  The Regimental Condiment Company seeded mustard*
Pinch of salt and cracked black pepper*

Method:
Combine the black beans, barberries, chili and parsley together in a bowl.

Mix together in a small jar the olive oil, vinegar, mustard and seasoning.

Pour over the salad and stir through.

Serve the salad over a bed of washed greens with goat’s cheese crumbled over the top.

ENJOY :)


*All products available at Togninis Spring Hill and Togninis Milton 

HAPPY BASTILLE DAY

Celebrate all things FRENCH this Saturday 14th July on Bastille Day!!

What better way to do it then with some GREAT french cheeses... yum!

To mark how much we LOVE french cheese we have 10% our three favourtie cheeses.

-The Washed Rind Petit Pont Leveque

-Clariens

-Banon

Avaliable at our Spring Hill and Milton stores. 

This special is only available till end of day Saturday

say CHEESE!

We are loving having a cheese board full of lovely goodness with a  matching vino in this cool weather! (Actually we love it anytime but hey ;) ) The Togs crew are pretty excited, just arrived from France are some old favourites and a few new cheeses for you to try:

Washed Rind Petit Pont Leveque

Pungent and creamy this cheese is perfect for a winter evening in front of the fire with a sweet pinot noir.

Clarines

A luscious triple cream made even more delicious by warming it in the oven – just crack the seal, add a splash of white wine and bake in the oven for 10 mins on medium heat, dip bread in and enjoy the lusciousness of it all.

Banon – Le Vache de Chalais

A handmade cheese from Givors- France, delicately wrapped in a vine leaf , this traditional cheese made from cow or goat's milk aged a month. The one's in store now are cow's milk .Match it with champagne or sauvignon Blanc. This cheese is as BEAUTIFUL as it is DELICIOUS.

Beautiful Banon

You can find all these cheeses living in the Cheese Room at Tognini's Trattoria Spring Hill and an even larger range at our Milton store.

MAMASITA

mamasita.

there are few moments outside of an authentic home that you can enjoy fabulous mexican, and then you get to melbourne. tucked away up a narrow stairway in the middle of the city is a funky little restaurant called ‘mamasita’. it is one restaurant not to be missed. with cute wait staff and a fresh fit out, it places itself in my melbourne top 5.  that was before any food arrived. after looking at the menu i knew we were in for a real treat. grateful i was there with a fellow food lover, who is never shy of over ordering and by over ordering i should just say over indulging. so we started with the ‘tostaditas de cangrejo’, 4 per serve of a gorgeously fresh 2.5 inch fried tortilla. out of control good, fresh tender crab meat served with avocado, cucumber, tamarind mayo and habanero. pumping with flavour, could have gone for round two of those. but we had a lot to come. something that i never would have ordered without Jem was the ceviche, for those non foodies out there, raw fish marinated in citrus juice. it was served in a tall shot glass, we chose the ‘ceviche de yucatan’ which was the market fish of the day (king fish) with green tomato, chilli, mint, lime and coconut milk. the most memorable dish by far was however desert, an incredible pumpkin mousse filled bluecorn flautas with slithers of praline. if this hasn’t made you want to jump on a little jet plane and make your way to melbourne, i don’t know where else to go to find mexican food like this.


Check out www.mamasita.com.au