Weâve got a week of the multi-award-winning Christmas Markets left before they swoon off again for another year. Is that enough time to cram is everything that they have to offer? Probably not, but here are four delights that you should try to sample before itâs too late...
Gluhwein from the âtwo ladiesâ stall
Tucked in beside the âmini Dutch pancakeâ stall, the two ladies return each every year to the same spot (or thereabouts) touting pretzels, cheese croissants and, of course, several takes on gluhwein. The chief reason for visiting these two (occasionally grumpy) old dears is because their gluhwein retails at 50p less than anyone elses â and thereâs seldom a queue.
Fresh French breads
Opposite the Singing Moose in the centre of Albert Square, youâll find a smorgasbord of Gallic breads and pastries, run by staff who speak almost exclusively in French. Having performed a cursory taste test (on many occasions), I canât guaranteed that the bread sold on this stall is of an entirely different breed to that baked in the UK. But to my palate, itâs imbued with the sweet taste that cookery writer, Elizabeth David, associated with French flour in her fabulous book âEnglish Bread and Yeast Cookeryâ (recently re-released by Grub Street Books). The croissants cost 5 for £4, or £1 for one, and they make a delicious breakfast with a cup of strong, black coffee â and, if youâre lucky, a handsome companion.
Old school fruit strudel with vanilla sauce
The strudel stall (to the right of the Singing Moose) serves different types of hot pastry filled with fruit and nuts. A portion big enough to share is served for £3 with âvanilla sauceâ; essentially custard, but thinner, lighter, less yellow and nicer. With its stodgy looks, I would never have tried the strudel had it not been for my son Arthur who, given the choice of what to have for his tea at the market, plumped for a strawberry strudel. Tangy and fresh-fruit-flavoured rather than sickly sweet, it was a well-balanced pudding, which brought to mind the best bit of school dinners.
Ethical hotdogs from Savin Hill Farm
For £4 with onions, and £4.50 with cheese, you can tuck into a gourmet sausage, made with Savin Hill Farms ethically-raised meat at the Lakeland Picnic Company stall. Regular customers Arthur and I eat here at least once a week. His favourite is a hot dog with sweet chilli ketchup, mine is a beef burger with blue cheese and grainy mustard and even writing about it is making me hungry. The stall sells a range of meats for the festive season too, such as hams, black puddings and sausage meat. Imagine that, a good butchers in the city centre.
All the above stalls are located in the Christmas Market in Albert Square which runs until 21 December. Last orders are around 8.45pm, daily. For more information visit www.manchestermarkets.com
