Gingerbread is synonymous with the festive season & whilst the term ‘gingerbread’ is given to a broad range of sweets, I think most of us picture a crunchy, spiced biscuit. We’ve been making gingerbread biscuits since the 15h century here in Europe, primarily made using spices, ginger & treacle. Whilst early gingerbread was made as …
Gingerbread, a word that is music to my ears & is sure to grab my full attention. The festive scent, the dense squidgy texture, the perfectly balanced spices, what’s not to love? Lebkuchen, biscuits, parkin, pepperkaker, elaborately iced houses there are endless variations of this spiced treat from all corners of the world. The term …
Everyone stir your pudding from east to west & make a Christmas wish (I think we’re all pretty much wishing for the same thing this year!). It’s the time of year for traditions & puddings, as we all know, I’m a big fan of both! There’s nothing more classic or steeped in history & tradition …
Whilst Christmas may be a little bit different this year, now leaving me only cooking & baking for the two of us, that doesn’t mean that there’ll be any less of either going in my kitchen, or that we won’t try to still make it a special affair. There are still enough desserts to feed …
Stir-up Sunday is upon us once again which means that the countdown to Christmas can truly begin. First comes the excitement (yes this 30-something-year-old still gets overly excited with every Christmas song on the radio & at the prospect of presents) & second comes the baking (so much baking!). Every December my little kitchen is …
Whilst we do love a bit of tradition at Christmastime here in Britain, I mean Christmas dinner really hasn’t changed that much since the 18th century, over recent years we’ve been very open to newer, European imports at this time of year. Alongside our sprouts, Baileys & mince pies, we find ourselves adding treats such …
Sugar is a wonderful thing, if anything, I’d almost consider it the most magical ingredient of all, able to be transformed in so many ways, it’s sweet uses are endless! There are some who deem sugar as the devil, even natural forms found in fruit (I have a severe dislike for these kinds of people) …
Puff, shortcrust, frangipane, sugar crusted, even store bought… whatever form it comes in, you will eat a mince pie over Christmas, you’ll probably eat way more than one but we won’t judge here (I’m already on 9 & counting). They’re perfectly imperfect (if they’re too perfect looking then are they even a mince pie?), often …
Mincemeat, you either love or loathe this sweet, liquor-infused, fruity filling. Personally, I love it! (not sure I ever say anything different on here about any food but I really do!). Christmas without mince pies would be an abomination. Even if you find yourself more stuffed than the turkey itself & cannot bare the thought …
Taking some festive inspiration from Scandinavia today as they celebrate St Lucia’s Day on December 13th. Previously St Lucia’s Day is a festival of lights, incorporates the winter solstice as well as celebrating St Lucia, Lucy meaning ‘light’, to celebrate a young girl who was martyred for bringing food to persecuted Christians in hiding inside …
