Post-Christmas shopping party menu

Just as the term après-ski refers to winding down and having drinks after a day on the slopes, we've created an après-shopping menu as the perfect way to relax after a hectic day at the shops. Many of the dishes in our Post-Christmas Shopping Menu can be prepared in advance, so upon arriving home you can settle back and gift yourself a wonderfully relaxing evening.

Cocktail

Hot cider toddy

By adding a dash of orange liqueur and brandy, hot apple cider and lemon becomes an enchanting warm-up cocktail.

Starter

Nutty chevre grapes

These delicious fruit bites are easy to prepare and make for a tasty amuse-bouche or appetizer.

Main

Juicy pork carnitas

You can assemble this dish before your shopping excursion and let it simmer in the slow cooker until you arrive home. Then pan fry the juicy pork shoulder for four to six minutes and serve with Mexican crema on a bed of green-herbs rice and avocado wedges as garnish.

Dessert

Chocolate cherry shortbread bars

A bite of these gooey, butter-tart-inspired treats will definitely get you back in the holiday spirit. (Just in case all that retail-craziness has tired you out!) They can be stored in the fridge for one week or in the freezer for up to one month.

Wine pairing

Lindeman's Bin 50 Shiraz

This medium to full-bodied Shiraz is packed with a blend of fruit aromas — like cassis, mulberry and plum — and touches of dark chocolate and spice. This acts as a wonderful complement to the slow-cooked pork.