The American way -Saltine Crackers and Rye Cheese Twigs

Carol Egbert paints and cooks in the Vermont village of Quechee and posts on her website www.carolegbert.com. She will be sending us a fresh recipe once a month. Her dishes are simple to make, family friendly, tasty and often inspired by food from nearby farms and markets. Cakes and bakes feature strongly, food that make a kitchenwarm and a home even warmer.

Sweet thrill: new Harveys tipple has the px-factor

Short of Christmas gift ideas and running out of time to find a present with the X-factor? Treat the gastronome in your family to the ultimate gourmet indulgence – a bottle of Harveys Pedro Ximénez, made exclusively from sun-drenched Spanish PX grapes. Smooth and velvety, this delectable dark mahogany-coloured dessert wine is bursting with aromas of raisins and dried figs.

Songs of Sapa – Stories and Recipes from Vietnam. Luke Nguyen

What, you might reasonably ask, is a Sapa? Is it a person, a place or a planet in a galaxy far, far away? It is in fact a town and district in northwest Vietnam and the homeland of Luke Nguyen the award-winning chef and owner of the Red Lantern restaurant in Surry Hills, Sydney. Well known across Oz as a ‘TV chef’ Luke is fascinated by his Vietnamese homeland and, speaking the language, is able to find and enjoy the best places to eat in this wonderful, and still to most westerners, mysterious land.

Barrica Brings Barcelona to London’s West End

Visitors to Goodge Street (number 62) in the West End are invited to try a true tapas bar experience following the opening of Barrica. With the look and feel of an authentic Spanish tapas bar, Barrica is a venue where people can feel just as comfortable having a coffee, a beer, a glass of sherry or a sit down meal with wine.

Four Alternative Christmas Recipes from MasterChef Mat Follas, Courtesy of Russian Standard Vodka

Russian Standard Vodka has teamed up with MasterChef 2009 winner Mat Follas to bring you something different for your dining table this Christmas and has come up with four alternative recipes to serve your hungry guests. Instead of the traditional turkey and Brussle sprouts this year why not indulge in alternative high dining with some tantalising Russian Standard cocktails to celebrate in style!