Looking for the perfect cocktail-hour starter while you and your new spouse step away for your photoshoot? These pork-and-mushroom vol-au-vents are an elegant wedding canapé option that keeps guests satisfied and the celebration flowing.
Ingredients
Pork filling
- 200 g boneless, skinless pork shoulder
- 3 garlic cloves, finely grated
- 2 tsp fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 100 g brown mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp brandy
- 1/2 cup cream
- 30 g grated Parmesan
Vol-au-vent cases
- 2 x 400 g rolls of frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp milk
Bacon crumble
- 100 g streaky bacon
You’ll need
- 1 x 4 cm diameter cookie cutter
- 1 x 1.5 cm diameter cookie cutter
- 1 tbsp chopped chives to serve
Method
Pork filling
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC.
- Place the pork shoulder into a deep oven tray. Mix the garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and olive oil in a small bowl. Rub this spice mixture all over the pork and pour the chicken stock into the tray. Cover the tray with foil and place into the oven.
- Roast the pork for 3 hours, or until pull-apart tender.
- When the pork is roasted, remove it from the oven, pour the juices into a jug, and reserve. Use two forks to shred the pork.
- Heat a medium-sized saucepan and add the olive oil. Add the chopped mushrooms and fry until browned and caramelised.
- Deglaze the pan with the brandy and cook for 1 minute. Add the roasting juices to the mushrooms and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and add the cream.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and simmer for about 3 minutes, then add the shredded pork and heat through. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
Vol au vent cases
- Line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Unroll one roll of pastry and leave it on the plastic it was rolled in. Using the 4 cm cookie cutter, cut out 25 circles (or as many as it yields), then place these pastry circles upside down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Beat the egg yolk and milk together, and then brush the circles with this mixture – take care not to brush too close to or around the sides of the circles, as this can cause the pastry not to rise properly.
- Unroll the second sheet of pastry and keep it on the plastic it was rolled in; cut the same amount of circles. You will end up with a doughnut-shaped ring of pastry.
- Lift these, turn them upside down and place them on top of the original circles that you have already egg washed. This will form the sides of your ring-shaped piece of pastry.
- Using a fork, prick the bottom pastry in the centre hole of the ring layer to prevent it from puffin up during baking. Brush the top of the ring circles with egg wash, but again, be careful not to get it on the sides, otherwise, your vol-au-vents may not rise properly.
- Note: The circles that were removed from the centre of the pastry rings, as well as any leftover pastry, can be egg washed and cooked separately. The round centre pieces can serve as ‘hats’ for the vol-au-vents, should you choose to use them.
- Place the tray into the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the vol-au-vents are well-risen and golden. Remove the pastry cases from the oven and allow them to cool.
Bacon crumble
- Turn the oven to the grill setting. Lay the bacon on a baking sheet and place it into the oven for 8 to 10 minutes to cook until crispy. Alternatively, cook in an air fryer. Let it cool slightly, then chop to a fine crumb.
To assemble
- Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of the pork and mushroom mixture to each vol-au-vent to fill. Sprinkle bacon crumbs over the top of each vol-au-vent and garnish with chopped chives. Serve immediately.
Finding the perfect Valentine’s Day gift doesn’t have to mean stretching your budget. Thoughtful gestures often matter far more than price tags. This curated guide focuses on creative…
You’ve had the big engagement and decided on a date – now it’s time to get down to the planning but your partner doesn’t seem keen on contributing. Wedding planning can be stressful enough without having a partner who is not interested in helping out, so we’ve put together these five tips to get your partner involved in planning your big day together.
1. FROM THE GET-GO
Make sure you are both discussing wedding options from the start. You don’t want to get ahead without your partner and leave them behind, only to want their input later on.
2. BE OPEN MINDED
Your partner may have some strange ideas, but try not to brush them off harshly, as you want them to continue making contributions. If you don’t like something, be gentle and explain why.
3. GET HANDS-ON
If there are certain areas that you know your partner will be interested in, such as the music, food or transport, then hand over those tasks, making sure you are both on the same page when it comes to what you want.
4. ASK FOR HELP
If you’re struggling to juggle all of the invitations, nagging family members and bookings, ask your partner if they can take on some of the tasks, or that you work on them together to ease the pressure.
5. JUST BE HONEST
Tell your partner that you want their input, after all, you both decided to have a wedding. Having open communication will help you to express how you feel as well as finding out what your partner wants.
ALSO SEE: 5 ways to avoid a family takeover at your wedding
Feature image: Priscilla du Preez/Unsplash
Letting your family help out with all the wedding planning can be fun, exciting, and a relief. But they can often become too involved and start taking over,…
Bow ties are a classic option that will add the finishing touch to your wedding day outfit. As dashing as they are, the sophisticated embellishment is a bit tricky to pull off. If you’re unsure and want to pull off the tasteful look yourself, here’s how to tie a bow tie on your wedding day, or any other day you want to look extra dapper:
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Step by step
Choose a great bow tie
Black is a classic colour to choose but if your wedding vibe allows for it, consider opting for a funky colour, pattern or material.
Sizing
To ensure you get that dashing and sophisticated look, adjust the bow tie according to your neck size. Ask a sales assistant to measure your neck when purchasing a bow tie. There should be an adjustable slider or a hook and holes that will allow you to make the bow tie bigger or smaller.
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How to tie
The most popular choice is the butterfly bow tie.
First place your bow tie around your neck facing up. Make sure that the right side is shorter than the left. Your left end is A and the right end is B.
Move A over to the right. It will be across from B. It should form an X shape.
Move A under B and bring it up through the neck loop.
You can now fold B towards the right and finally to the left, which will then create the bow shape.
The A side can now move straight down over the middle section (the bow shape)
A can be folded towards the chest.
Pinch the fold.
You need to push A through the loop behind B.
Finally, pull on the folded parts which will tighten it. Adjust the bow tie to be balanced on both sides.
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Feature image: Unsplash
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For brides who refuse to sacrifice comfort for style, this collaboration might just be the wedding shoe moment of the year. Birkenstock has teamed up with New York-based bridal designer Danielle Frankel on a limited-edition footwear capsule that reimagines the brand’s most iconic silhouettes for weddings and special occasions.
The result? Bridal shoes that look fashion-forward, feel supportive, and are designed to last long after the last dance.
A modern take on bridal footwear
The six-piece Birkenstock x Danielle Frankel collection reworks four classic Birkenstock styles, alongside two exclusive designs created specifically for Frankel’s studio. Familiar shapes like the Arizona, Madrid and Tulum have been elevated with satin finishes, delicate ties, pearls and soft floral detailing, all while staying true to Birkenstock’s signature aesthetic.
Standout styles include a white satin Arizona adorned with pearls, a pared-back Madrid with refined straps, and a Tulum sandal updated with a sleek slingback. For brides looking for something more artisanal, the hand-painted Boston clog and chiffon-embroidered Arizona offer a distinctly couture feel.
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Comfort remains the priority
Despite the romantic makeover, comfort is still at the heart of every design. Each shoe features Birkenstock’s cork-latex footbed, ensuring proper support throughout a long wedding day.
Why the fashion world is paying attention
Unsurprisingly, the collaboration has already generated buzz ahead of its official release. International fashion titles have praised the collection for challenging traditional bridal norms, celebrating individuality, and offering an alternative to classic heels.
Danielle Frankel, a long-time Birkenstock wearer herself, approached the partnership as a study in merging practicality with romance. Pearls, bespoke floral motifs and hand-finished details nod to her bridal couture roots, while production in Birkenstock’s German factories ensures the craftsmanship both brands are known for.
Is it for everyone? Probably not
Let’s be honest: bridal Birkenstocks won’t win over every bride, and for some, this will be a hard no. But for others, this collection will feel refreshingly liberating. And perhaps that’s exactly who it’s meant for.
When and where to shop the collection
The Birkenstock x Danielle Frankel collection launches on February 12, 2026, with select styles previewing during New York Fashion Week from February 11 to 16. It is said that the range will be available online via birkenstock.com and daniellefrankelstudio.com, as well as at selected retailers worldwide.
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Feature image: Bridal Guide/Facebook