Goodwood Park Hotel has lined up a brand new repertoire of festive treats for this Christmas. The new 2021 Christmas collection includes both sweets and savouries, which are available for takeaway and delivery from 15 November to 26 December 2021 and festive dining specials from 1 December 2021 to 2 January 2022.
A combination of western tradition and Asian flavours, this year's Coffee Turkey with Flavoursome Fried Rice ($248 nett; serves 8 to 12 persons) will likely be the star of the festive table. The new Coffee Turkey is slowly braised for slightly more than an hour till tender with aromatics. The festive bird is then infused with a myriad of Chinese spices like star anise, cinnamon, black cardamom and licorice root and finished with a fragrant coffee glaze. Basted thrice with the savoury coffee glaze and roasted, the turkey has a glistening caramelised skin and tender meat. When I had it, it was almost like having a soy-braised chicken. Served with a side coffee sauce, such tender and flavourful meat is ideal. The accompanying fried rice comprises stir-fry of white jasmine rice, flower shiitake mushrooms, chopped string beans, and shredded dried scallops, dried shrimps and eggs.
Another interesting savoury item in this year's collection is the Turkey, Mushroom & Foie Gras Roulade with Roasted Potatoes, Broccolini & Mushroom Sauce ($268 nett, approx. 30 cm; serves 8 to 10 persons). The turkey breast is rolled with a button and Swiss brown mushrooms duxelles, minced turkey and seared foie gras. The roulade is slow-cooked for three hours, seasoned with thyme and garlic, then grilled. The turkey breast was delightfully tender, flavoured by lightly seasoned mushroom duxelles. The cubes of foie gras rolled inside the duxelles provided just the right amount of fats and buttery flavour to roulade. It is served with a savoury mushroom sauce on the side and complemented with roasted baby potatoes, broccolini, and sautéed onions.
For starters, you may opt for the Chilled Smoked Turkey Breast, Beancurd & Ikura with Mala Sauce ($98 nett; serves 4 to 6 persons). An Asian-influenced dish, smoked turkey breast slices are lined atop smooth, chilled silken beancurd before finishing with a piquant mala sauce.
Other fun bites include this Sichuan version of the dim sum favourite, 'Fu Pi Juan' (beancurd skin roll). The moreish Deep-Fried Turkey Roll in Mala Style features a toothsome filling of minced turkey breast, diced carrots, and turnips, as well as Sichuan peppercorn oil. Encased in beancurd skin and tied with strips of Chinese celery to resemble a Christmas cracker, the rolls are steamed then deep-fried to golden-brown.
Another item that spins a similar Asian twist is the Deep-fried 'Hong Zao' Turkey Breast Strips with Salt & Seaweed Sprinkle, Mango Mayonnaise and Wasabi Mayonnaise ($68 nett; serves 4 to 6 persons). Slices of succulent turkey breast are thoroughly marinated in 'Hong Zao' (red glutinous rice wine lees), yellow mustard powder, and black pepper powder. Each morsel is then coated with a mix of more glutinous red wine lees and flour before deep-frying to achieve a crisp exterior. It reminds me of prawn roll, but in a Christmas context.
For Sweets, the White Enchantment Log Cake impresses with two layers of pistachio sponge with pear mousse studded with pieces of poached pear that have been enveloped in a tangy yuzu cream set atop a sablé breton base. The pear mousse was delicious with the chunks of poached pear, and the citrus notes of the yuzu cream made the cake even more delectable.
Not often that you will get a festive cheesecake, and this Assorted Berries Baked Cheese Loaf ($98 nett for 1.3kg) is a great option. A buttery digestive biscuit crust encases a New York cream cheese adorned with dried blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. The Yuletide 'loaf' is topped with an abundance of assorted glazed fresh berries, sugar flowers and sprigs of thyme.
You can even create your own Afternoon Tea Set with the Christmas Carousel 2-Tier Set ($66 nett) and Christmas Tree 3-Tier Set ($88 nett). Specially curated by the culinary team behind L’Espresso’s popular English Afternoon Tea, the joyous tiered sets comprises an assortment of sweet and savoury treats.
The two-tiered Christmas Carousel set contains ten different petite snacks (five sweets and five savouries) such as Chocolate Pandan Tart, Raspberry Sablé Breton, Spicy Chipotle Turkey Croissant, and Garlic Cheese with Cranberries & Pistachio Tartlet.
The 3-tier set is more worthwhile, with three levels of 16 different treats (8 sweets and 8 savouries) including Paris-Brest, Coffee Caramel Tart, Green Tea Brownie, Lobster with Granny Smith Apple & Avocado Salad, Chicken with Cranberries & Pecan Nuts Croissant, and Turkey & Pumpkin Shepherd’s Pie.
Advance orders of five days are required. Guests may place their online orders at goodwoodparkfestive.oddle.me for delivery or self-collection. Alternatively, guests may visit The Deli ( 10am to 7 pm from 15 November to 26 December) or contact the Christmas Call Centre at (65) 6730 1867/68 from 10am to 6pm or email festive@goodwoodparkhotel.com to place their takeaway orders for self-collection only. Last pre-order date is 19 December 2021, 12pm .
Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.
Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Singapore 228221
Tel: +65 67301746
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)
Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 1. Walk down Scotts Road to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]
