Do you ever find yourself with a tonne of leftovers in the limbo period between Christmas & New Years...? You're living solely off of turkey sandwiches, Quality Street & 'plates' as we like to call them, basically an amalgamation of bits of cheese, leftover pieces of roast vegetables & Yorkshire puddings put together to to … Continue reading Mincemeat Loaf
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 … Continue reading Mince Pies
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 … Continue reading Christmas Mincemeat
We all love a good chocolate truffle in some shape or form & often associate them with special occasions or cheeky indulgent ones (you know, the times where you have nothing to celebrate but just want chocolate). Traditionally made by rolling or coating a spherical shaped chocolate ganache centre in things such as icing sugar, … Continue reading Christmas Cake Truffles
SWEET KICKS Green fingers is something that I seem to have developed as I've aged. I've discovered the joy & sense of pride that comes from keeping my plants alive, growing my own food & generally adding a bit of colour into the garden & home (I've become a real proud plant mama). One of … Continue reading Chilli & Apricot Chutney
Traditional Stirring Stir-up Sunday is upon us once again which means that the countdown to Christmas can truly begin. First comes the excitement (yes this 28-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 … Continue reading Christmas Cake
A Little Goes A Long Way Saffron, the worlds most expensive spice. It's aromatic, colourful & has a unique flavour that really can't be compared to anything. Saffron is harvested by hand from the stigmas of the saffron crocus (or flower) & it takes a very large quantity of these flowers to produce just a small … Continue reading St Lucia Buns
Cranberry Traditions In the run up to Christmas, as I find myself pottering around in the kitchen more & more making preparations for the big day, experimenting & attempting to stuff enough food for a month in my freezer (hello gluttony!), I fill jars upon jars with preserves. Mincemeat for the pies, jams & … Continue reading Cranberry & White Chocolate Pie
Better late than never, it may seem odd to bring you a recipe for cranberry sauce post Christmas day, however there is a method to my madness as this relates to my next post: Cranberry & White Chocolate Pie. This is the same sauce that I make every year in the run up to Christmas, … Continue reading Cranberry Sauce
The Christmas Archive It began with list... in late November 2013, a list containing every imaginable festive bake, from yule log to panettone, was created by one ambitious baker. The list was long, extensive & full of ideas (& the occasional doodle). Over the coming years, the list became ever shorter as recipes were completed … Continue reading Festive Tart
