Monthly Archives: December 2011

Saving the best till last !

I really enjoyed doing all my baking and cooking over Christmas, especially when it was so enjoyed.

The dish I enjoyed making the most though, had to be The Christmas Pudding, Its something I have wanted to make for many years.

Thanks to my friend Caity, who made me aware of a Jamie Oliver recipe, that only needed 3 hours steaming,this year I had no excuse not to make that pudding !

A few people had wondered if it really would be a Christmas pudding with just 3 hours steaming but let me tell you… it was and the empty dishes told me it was ! not a crumb was left.

Luckily I had  some of the mixture left and have 3 small puddings here at home so I can have a second tasting 🙂

2012 baking challenge is going to be a bread one, using the book,Five Minute Bread but Santa didn’t know it was on my list so first I have to order the book 🙂

A little bit of Christmas

I had christmas dinner for 8, cooked and on the table for 2pm and thanks to Emily peeling the vegetables we even squeezed in a quick 5 mile walk too.

The christmas cake and pudding were truly delicious and even though I am not a vegetarian the Nut loaf was very tasty….

Cooking the Turkey was made easy by using a meat thermometer, I think every kitchen should have one as it makes doing a roast so much easier, you never over cook the meat, so you always get perfect results.

The Joulutorttu ended the day nicely, so we had a multicultural Christmas

Joulutorttu

Only 2 things missing were my boys 🙁

After 3 family days tomorrow is a day for us and we are off……..   walking 🙂

Christmas Baking..

Today I had time for my “fix” of Christmas baking..

24 Ginger biscuits, 12 mince pies and 12 Christmas muffins…

 

I even managed to get out for my run too 🙂

 

Then this evening we had all Geoff’s family round and  Steve cooked us a traditional Czech republic Christmas eve dinner, consisting of Carp and potato salad, our Carp was most definitely not alive though, so was easier to prepare !

Very nice it was too, there is little left of my baking so its a good job I have made cake and pudding for tomorrow 🙂

2009 a vintage year

This week I finally bottled my Sloe Gin, its been slowly maturing  since October 2010.

I also had some Raspberry vodka that needed bottling too !

Of course both needed sampling and they are thick sweet and syrupy 🙂

Now these bottles have been stored away and the Sloe Gin I made in 2009 has been bought out for Christmas.

I have been told to try Sloe Gin and champagne , its a bit like a Kir Royale.

Perfect for Christmas day !

Alas next year there will be a break in tradition as I never made any this year 🙁

 

 

If Only…

I was able too…

Take the week off work before Christmas, not to shop not to rest BUT to cook.

I dream of having time to bake all our lovely Christmas food , it takes time and money though , neither which I have !

I always make a Christmas cake and this year for the first time I am making a Christmas pudding, its steaming away at this moment.

Usually I am put off by the 8 hours steaming time, but my friend Caity told me about a Jamie Oliver Recipe that only takes 3 hours to steam.

Christmas eve I shall make Christmas muffins, Ginger biscuits and a Nut Loaf  while listening to the Carols from Kings College

 

Not quite sure when I will ice the cake !

 

Salt Lamps

Over the past few months I have developed an interest in Crystals, a bit of harmless fun for me and they look so nice too.

I have also discovered Salt Lamps,not sure I believe in their so called health benefits, but I do love the warm relaxing glow that they provide.

They are perfect for in your massage room as they create a calming environment 🙂