Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Eating and Drinking => Kitchen Natter => Topic started by: snowdrops on December 20, 2014, 22:20
-
I've just done my first bit of baking & made some petit four biscuits for a friend I will see tomorrow. Here's a pic
(http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t371/snowdrops3/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03/A302A509-C203-4E96-931D-146F3BF2C03D_zpsqatvhjbi.jpg) (http://s1056.photobucket.com/user/snowdrops3/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03/A302A509-C203-4E96-931D-146F3BF2C03D_zpsqatvhjbi.jpg.html)
What do you make to give or eat?
-
Ooooh! They look yummy.....I'll put kettle on! :)
-
They do look lovely Snowy!
All I've made to give away is my annual small Christmas cake, half pint pudding and mincemeat for my Nici, as none of her family like things with dried fruit in! (silly people!)
-
Maybe we should do a pass the biscuit parcel? They look lovely Snowy. :)
-
Ooh they do look tasty :)
-
Maybe we should do a pass the biscuit parcel? They look lovely Snowy. :)
That is a good idea. I nominate you for the biscotti Surbie. ;) I have enough egg whites to make almond stars. ;)
They look lovely Snow.
What have we made to give? Many jars of preserves, mini Christmas cakes, Christmas puds, spiced gin, damson gin, greengage eau de vie but that is all this year. Stuff happened that needed my attention. I will try to do better next year.
-
Those look really yummy!
-
Weeeelll, I give preserves away all the time as I keep making them but rarely use them. But for Christmas, I have so far made a rich fruit cake for our Bulgarian neighbours, goodness knows what they will make of it. Marzipaned and iced it yeasterday, just needs finishing. Making mince pies for their daughter today as we have been invited for lunch. Don't know if they will dare try them while wer're there, but I'm sure they will like them as they are so sweet, and they like my pastry. More mince pies and shortbread to make tomorrow for the rest of the neighbours and post lady and milk lady.
-
Thanks all. Like Mrs Bee I've had other things taking my attention so it's the first year in at least 26 years I've not made my own mincemeat & I've had to buy some,hangs head in shame. I've not made any chutneys, I pickled some gherkins that I grew but I tried a jar a couple of weeks ago & they're so salty. I suspect I can't have rinsed them well enough. I'm giving 2 jars of marmalade away today that I made earlier on but it was just from a tin of stuff.
We have the house up for sale & had sold just at harvest time so I decided to cut back, then the sale fell through.
All your produce sounds lovely & lucky friends & neighbours. Like Mrs Bee I must try harder :D
-
What have we made to give? Many jars of preserves, mini Christmas cakes, Christmas puds, spiced gin, damson gin, greengage eau de vie but that is all this year. Stuff happened that needed my attention. I will try to do better next year.
That is all? That's masses!
I've made some very pokey chilli vodka for my brother, sloe port and sloe gin, a big Christmas cake to take to Italy and some biscuits.
-
What have we made to give? Many jars of preserves, mini Christmas cakes, Christmas puds, spiced gin, damson gin, greengage eau de vie but that is all this year. Stuff happened that needed my attention. I will try to do better next year.
That is all? That's masses!
I've made some very pokey chilli vodka for my brother, sloe port and sloe gin, a big Christmas cake to take to Italy and some biscuits.
Yes I agree Surbie. Just reviewed my last post & it sounded like I too thought Mrs Bee should try harder & that's not I meant at all :(.
Would you be taking cardamom biscotti to Italy Surbie? Christmas cake, I'd been taking a lump of cheddar too :lol:
-
Well, there was great excitement over the mince pies. The list of ingredients in Bulgarian we gave them they thought was amusing and they didn't quite know what to think. However they started eating them with their meat meal (the meals are rarely hot and people just eat when and whatever order they feel like) and they had to be taken away before they all went. The daughter (who runs a cafe) asked if I will make some for her party and some shortbread too. So will have to knock up some more mincemeat.
If I have to go shopping I might have to pick up some cheddar to go with the cake....now that would cause a stir!
-
Ive made smoked salmon, smoked cheese, home cured bacon and home cured smoked bacon, smoked garlic, damson gin and damson vodka. Sounds very generous perhaps but i was making all those things for us anyway. also made the cake and pudding which we will be taking to future mother in laws on Christmas eve. We are having our Christmas day on boxing day as my wife ( to be) is working unfortunately. Not really pressies but I will be taking turkey gravy, red cabbage and something ( not decided yet), and a smoked salmon starter of some sort. Just boiled up the ham also, which I will be studding and roasting after dinner this evening. I just hope its cooked after simmering for five hours. It is 5kg though. Should have added meat thermometer to my Santas list.
-
Would you be taking cardamom biscotti to Italy Surbie? Christmas cake, I'd been taking a lump of cheddar too :lol:
Yes, plus some ginger thins and a kransekake (chewy almond loveliness) if I can pry the tins out of Mum's cupboards. Ginger thins being made tonight as they keep for a while.
-
Everybody's efforts sound wonderful, I'm glad the mince pies went down well, & fancy getting the requests for more & shortbread.
Surbie, I made 2 Kransekakes a couple of years ago after a friend bought me the tins. I think I posted a photo on here once. I saw Paul Hollywood make one the other night.
Fancy being able to cure all those foods I shall tell my daughter, I bet she will be very interested.
-
Yes I agree Surbie. Just reviewed my last post & it sounded like I too thought Mrs Bee should try harder & that's not I meant at all :(.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: I didn't take it amiss Snow, it made me laugh. I usually do loads more than this year. But like you several weeks attacked me at once this year and I am all behind with the donkey's tail.
So I have stopped.
I am seriously considering getting the train to Steve's because all his cured and smoked food sounds wonderful and I haven't even done a smoked salmon for us this year.
But the bottom line is, all of us are pretty cool dudes with all the foods and produce we grow, preserve, bake, cure and smoke. So well done us and I think a wee tincture is in order. :lol: :lol: :lol:
-
So well done us and I think a wee tincture is in order. :lol: :lol: :lol:
I've already had 1 or 2 :D
-
MIL says to me last week don't worry about baking Christmas we are having bought cake (yuk) this year. I smiled and said politely. Its no problem I enjoy making mince pies, vege sausage rolls and fairy cakes on Christmas Eve.
-
So well done us and I think a wee tincture is in order. :lol: :lol: :lol:
I've already had 1 or 2 :D
Yup I decided a lovely G & T was in order, & then that one was lonely so I had another :D, my mince pies turned out ok, baked 1 doz & froze another dozen
-
I have nearly polished off a bottle of Prosecco single handed. :blush:
I have had severe provocation today! >:(
-
Oops Mrs Bee what's up?
-
Do you need a rant Mrs Bee :mad:
-
She's been cooking for her Mum again :(
-
Oh no darn't cook for mine I'd put arsenic in it :D
-
So well done us and I think a wee tincture is in order. :lol: :lol: :lol:
I've already had 1 or 2 :D
Me too!! Mulled wine to help the tree go up. wheeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
-
Well don't want to hijack your post Snow but you did ask
>:( Did the usual buy it, cook it, transport Christmas dinner mark one to mothers. With Dad in the wheelchair and increasingly frail we bring a Christmas get together to them.
Poor Mr is Bee is still holed up in bed right poorly and wasn't coming to spread his germs. .
I have to bring everything from home especially carving knives. My sisters job is to set out the table. This year it was agreed that I would just buy it all, cheese, wines etc and give mum the bill. That often turns into a free fight with the, you haven't charged enough, I know how much things cost. :wacko:
So I prepared it cooked it in my kitchen ready for transporting.
Mr Bee is always very good at keeping mother out of the kitchen whilst I finish off, and plate up. She will insist on getting under foot and interfering. So no Mr Bee, and she doesn't take any notice of my sister, or me or my sous chef asking nicely to please go and sit down. My sous chef is my son, and we work well together.
So I finally lost my rag and shouted I have asked you nicely now get out of my way!!!
It drives me mad that I have to lose my rag and be nasty for her take me seriously. >:(
I am really not a nasty person.
Mother had bought wine and cheese, not nice wine and cheese. Chaos. And I like organised and calm.
No one was particularly hungry. Dad had a face like a smacked 'arris all day and insisted on playing some awful dirgy music, and got snarky because the CD wasn't 'tuned in' and wanted to leave the table and go and sit in his chair.
And on top of it all despite us all agreeing to no presents this year, nothing, zilch, zip mother has got presents. Not Christmas presents she said just table presents. And that was the final straw. More tasteless toot, to be transported to the charity shop.
So that was that;my son kept my glass topped up with the Prosecco and now that I have returned washed up, put away after plating up several Christmas dinners which have been left in mum's freezer, I am going to polish off the remaining Prosecco.
I will also attempt not punch Mr Bee on the nose for grinning when I related the events of the day, as he was left in bed, in peace, snuggled warm and watching the telly while I was on the front line. >:( >:(
Sorry for the rant Snow but ya did ask. :D :D :D Going for the rest of the Prosecco now. :D :lol:
-
No alcohol yet :lol: but I've polished off a box of Thorntons :ohmy:
-
Well done Mrs Bee you deserve the wine and a medal enjoy your proper Christmas now the torture is over :)
-
Poor Mrs Bee, I felt a rant was on its way & that's ok by me, hope you feel better now if not open another bottle of Prosecco, the bubbles will help :lol: as will a lage glass of brandy I find :lol:
-
Poor Mrs Bee. I remember Christmas getting more stressful as parents aged and became more frail too. Hope you don't have a headache today.
Even I had a rakia yesterday
-
Needs must Tosca. :lol:
-
Baking is not my think but have done blackcurrant jam and blackcurrant vodka as pressies.
-
I made a dozen deep filled mince pies and twenty cheese scones for the church carol concert yesterday.
I'll take it as a compliment that by the time I made it to the after-service refreshments they had all disappeared and I had to have a Mr. K. mince pie. >:(
-
Poor Mrs Bee, I felt a rant was on its way & that's ok by me, hope you feel better now if not open another bottle of Prosecco, the bubbles will help :lol: as will a lage glass of brandy I find :lol:
Thank you for letting me rant. Feel less cross this morning. Just a bit hard done by. I know it is horrible for mum with dad as he is but it is so hard to get her to accept help.
And I just remembered I made Dutch Christmas rings and mince pies to give as gifts too.
-
Gypsy, jam & blackcurrant vodka would be most acceptable here as a gift.
DD, that is soooo annoying when that happens but nice to know they were snaffled in favour of the commercial ones.
Mrs Bee, pleased you are feeling a bit better, feeling hard done by seems to be part of my pre Christmas feelings too :wacko:
-
I made a dozen deep filled mince pies and twenty cheese scones for the church carol concert yesterday.
I'll take it as a compliment that by the time I made it to the after-service refreshments they had all disappeared and I had to have a Mr. K. mince pie. >:(
Oh bad luck - they're not very nice are they :(
-
Christmas cakes are baked, pudding has been steamed and the children and I will make mince pies on Christmas Eve. I haven't made any edible gifts this year apart from a batch of bramble jam the other day. I had plans to but vomiting children have put paid to them.
-
Christmas cakes are baked, pudding has been steamed and the children and I will make mince pies on Christmas Eve. I haven't made any edible gifts this year apart from a batch of bramble jam the other day. I had plans to but vomiting children have put paid to them.
Hmm, vomiting children & edible gifts not a good move. Your friends & family will thank you. Hope they are better ;)
-
Biccies made, about a hundred, iced and packed up in boxes of 11 (has to be an odd number) and both cakes iced. We ummed and ahhed about the snowman and tree for the neighbour's cake, I favour simplicity and felt pearlised snowflakes were enough, but it is supposed to be traditionally British so compromised. I should have used royal icing but fear for Jordan's teeth, they cost him two months' pension!
Vanilla and chocolate shortbread
(http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv100/tosca100-dog/biccies002_zps0d98a53f.jpg) (http://s673.photobucket.com/user/tosca100-dog/media/biccies002_zps0d98a53f.jpg.html)
Gingerbread snowmen
(http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv100/tosca100-dog/biccies003_zpsd1c5070b.jpg) (http://s673.photobucket.com/user/tosca100-dog/media/biccies003_zpsd1c5070b.jpg.html)
The cakes
(http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv100/tosca100-dog/biccies014_zps595c7c93.jpg) (http://s673.photobucket.com/user/tosca100-dog/media/biccies014_zps595c7c93.jpg.html)
-
Absolutely stunning Tosca. :lol:
-
Thank you Mrs Bee, I hope the neighbours think so. I have had the icing in the freezer all summer as you can't get it here, or the superfine icing sugar we are used to. I didn't want to risk anything happening to it.
The spare biscuits are now spoken for....shame, the ginger snowmen are yummy. :lol:
-
They look amazing Tosca
-
Ooh you could start a traditional English shop Tosca, they look lovely
-
... and I had to have a Mr. K. mince pie. >:(
Shudder - they're just not exceedingly good cakes, although they do look the part :wacko: .
Would you like one of mine to make up for it ?
I've done these this evening to take into the step-down facility, I think they would have preferred my blueberry and dark chocolate gauche tarts but Im out of double cream so these were the best I could do.
-
Now those are mince pies to be proud of Mr Lardman.
Well done that man. :D :D
Pass one along please.
-
They look lovely Lardy.
I made a bit of bread & tiffin today.
(http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t371/snowdrops3/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03/4FFC4DFA-666D-40C3-B686-A7430039C139_zpsrrprzchd.jpg) (http://s1056.photobucket.com/user/snowdrops3/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-03/4FFC4DFA-666D-40C3-B686-A7430039C139_zpsrrprzchd.jpg.html)
-
A bit of bread? That is quite a lot of beautiful bread Snow.
I can smell it from here.
I have the same sort of kitchen doors as you. Nice flat ones that are easy to clean. :D
I have those cooling racks too.
-
Thanks Mrs Bee. They should have been easy to clean but they are a b@ gger & were due to be replaced if we weren't moving. Hubby manufactured them, & laminated them with Formica but it shows all the grease marks grrr. Most of the bread is now in the freezer we hadn't got a crumb left. The White loaf is for the bread sauce tomorrow. I will bag the tiffin up today for gifts & some for us.
-
I can imagine that beautiful aroma from here.
-
Ooooo tiffin.....haven't had that for years.
That's the amount of bread I do at a time normally, saves putting the oven on too often.
I had a bought slice next door the other day, tasted weird!
-
Thanks MC, I must admit it did smell nice & tempted me to boil some eggs to make some of the cobs for lunch
-
Ooooo tiffin.....haven't had that for years.
That's the amount of bread I do at a time normally, saves putting the oven on too often.
I had a bought slice next door the other day, tasted weird!
Yes I though that, one loaf was a mix I use but the rest from scratch. I do like tiffin so don't make it very often as I find it hard to resist, but we always have it for Christmas.
-
I have all my bread squirreled in the freezer.
I usually make fudge as presents which I find very hard to resist so I didn't make it this year. As I said there is a lot I didn't do this year to go in the hampers.
I did make some blackcurrant and dark chocolate truffles and white chocolate and raspberry truffles covered in dark chocolate to go with coffees and go in the little chocolate boxes I put on the table.
Usually buy Thorntons choc Christmas puds but I decided to make my own this year as I had some spare cream to use up. :)
-
Now those are mince pies to be proud of Mr Lardman.
I've come a long way since my burning water days - still a long way to go though :D
Pass us one of them rolls will you Snow - nice bit of extra mature cheddar whilst they're still warm enough to melt the butter :tongue2: :tongue2: So good !
-
I'm icing the cake and there's mince pies in the oven atm. Still lots to do though - as usual!
-
Slow cooking the ham, it's nearly ready to come out & have the topping on, I think I'll glaze it with marmalade & brown sugar this time, & baked in the oven for 1/2 an hour then cool & chill ready for tomorrow's dinner :D
-
Just made another batch of mincemeat for the mince pies on the 27th. S'all go! :lol:
-
I cooked these up to go on the tables with the food I have cooked up. :)
-
They look lovely. I've not done any arrangements this week
-
I made some of these this afternoon http://www.thelittleloaf.com/2011/08/23/homemade-ferrero-rocher/ (http://www.thelittleloaf.com/2011/08/23/homemade-ferrero-rocher/) - currently sitting in fridge to set before a coat with final chocolate... the nutella seems a dead ringer - fingers crossed
-
Everyone seems busy busy busy. I've got the turkey stock on the go to cut down on a bit of time on the day. Also steaming the pud which has been on about five hrs now so will give it another three tomorrow then nuke it on the day. Still got sausage rolls and a few bits and bobs to do but I'm bushed now so it will have to be tomorrow while last minute rapping ;-)
-
Very impressive Mrs Bee 👍
-
Nothing and i dont care at all. I did the shopping that was good enough.
This year I have realised its not about the shopping, baking, pressure, gifts, I did some shopping yesterday and today and people have lost their manners and common sense.
Its not about this, I have all the family under one roof its meant to be relaxed who cares what time dinner is ready, how many veg we have. What colour the table ware is.
The kids are sorted and my main goal is for everyone to stay out of hospital. Job done :D hubby keeps asking for his stressy wife back.
-
Nothing and i dont care at all. I did the shopping that was good enough.
This year I have realised its not about the shopping, baking, pressure, gifts, I did some shopping yesterday and today and people have lost their manners and common sense.
Its not about this, I have all the family under one roof its meant to be relaxed who cares what time dinner is ready, how many veg we have. What colour the table ware is.
The kids are sorted and my main goal is for everyone to stay out of hospital. Job done :D hubby keeps asking for his stressy wife back.
Well done BQ, I'm sure life will be sooo much better for you if you just cut out/down on some of the stuff you do for awhile. It will give you chance to recharge your batteries & get strong just in case you need to be again. Bear in mind if you & hubby fall apart who will look after everyone then. Take care & have a lovely Christmas & a Happy & healthy
New Year
-
Concentrate on what you enjoy BQ and have a rest I think most of us here like the baking ect and have the time to do it you have more pressing concerns
-
Concentrate on what you enjoy BQ and have a rest I think most of us here like the baking ect and have the time to do it you have more pressing concerns
Totally agree. You have your priorities right. With everything you have been through with your little ones just having them at home and well, will make your Christmas perfect. ;)
-
We have a very emotional lovely Neighbour. Not sure whether it is over the cake, the biscuits, the written explaination (in Bulgarian) of what the cake is....or the two photos we printed of her puppy Molly (who we named and she is having difficulty pronouncing!!!)
OH has taken them both to the market while I concentrate on making washing up....and keeping the blsted kitten out of everything! How I appreciate the two dogs not being thieves!
-
I have done the red cabbage and apple and prepared pigs in blankets ( allergen free so minced pork etc etc no skin on these piggies, hope they hold together )
-
Mince pies inspired by Mrs Bee with assorted toppings cherries, almonds, orange and ginger crumble and grated apple.
vege sausage rolls
-
Today I've made Marsala sticky orange Christmas pudding minus the Marsala :lol:,bread sauce, cranberry sauce, garlic & Rosemary foccacia,pineapple cheese cake. I'm tired now :nowink:
-
Fixed the braised red cabbage - not sure what I'd done to it but it was foul, all better now though. Did some of Mary Berry's raw cranberry sauce, the jury is still out on that !
Par boiled some spuds and the carrots/ parsnips to get a bit of a head start on the roasted things tomorrow. It all seems a lot of hassle this year :wub:
-
That MB cranberry sauce looked altogether too healthy and not at all traditional.
-
Sat on my bum surfing, kids playing hubby making me a cup of tea. Lovely. Carrots and swede ready, brussels ready, potatoes ready, red cabbage done. Stuffing done, beef cooked, chicken doing ( we are not doing turkey this year after a family revelation that everyone hates it )
Gravy done. Soup done, this is rather nice. Mum and dad came watched kids open pressies, left coming back for tea at 3 ahhhhh this is the life. Xxx
-
Tapas :)
Prawns in lemon & salt, potatas braves, mixed seafood in garlic, lemon and chilli, chorizo in red wine, bread, balsamic, anchovies, olives, stuffed peppers...
Just traditional ;)
-
Well that's it for another year. ;) Everything is washed and put away.
That MB cranberry sauce looked altogether too healthy and not at all traditional.
Won't be on the list again - I really wasn't impressed at all.
-
I did very little Christmas cooking, but today I have cleared all the chicken bones out of the freezer and have a huge pot of stock on the go. The house smells lovely :)
The remaining pumpkin in the greenhouse looked like it might be just starting to go, so it has been processed and roasted with garlic and chilli.
I feel a pumpkin soup may be on the cards, plus overs in the freezer for soup another day :)