Tropical Fruit Christmas Cake

December 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment
tropical-fruit-christmas-cake

A few years ago my mother and I were trying to think of a twist on the traditional christmas cake - during the process this is something we played with - using dried tropical fruits finely chopped in place of some of the more traditional fruits. It was a moderate success. This year we tried again, and have improved the recipe marginally. Each time it gets a little better - but here is the current recipe. One point of note, and I stress this to everyone who is making a traditional christmas … [Read more...]

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Mince Pies in Orange Pastry

December 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment
christmas-mince-pies

Following rapidly on from my last post in which I disclosed my own mincemeat recipe I am now going to divulge my personal recipe for mince pies - in orange pastry. Its not unique of course because I´ve had mince pies in orange pastry in a couple of places - but this is my version tailored to my tastes. Now I always make my mincemeat earlier in the year - usually around October. Leaving it a short while helps the flavours to mature. Orange Pastry 8 oz self-raising flour Pinch salt 1 … [Read more...]

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Traditional Mincemeat & Mince Pies

December 13, 2009 By 2 Comments
christmas-mince-pies

My family would make dozens of Mince Pies at Christmas, and we would often give them away as gifts to our friends, family and neighbours. As a result Christmas just would not be Christmas without a mincepie. Obviously my mince pies have evolved a bit since my Grandma´s recipe - she believed in mass production and quality suffered because she´d spread mince pie so thin you could practically see through it!.  I strongly believe in a few less mince pies but packed full with this rich and … [Read more...]

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Mizmoe´s Christmas Cake

December 6, 2009 By 3 Comments
Mizmoe´s Christmas Cake

I realise every daughter says this but my Mum does the best Christmas Cake. Its the most devine thing I have ever tasted, and it wouldn´t be Christmas without it. Served on its own, or with a slice of Wenslydale Cheese... its marvellous. Its uniquely her own because she does a rather unusual thing with the cherries - she puts them in a blender with the brandy and candied peel and whizzes them! It adds the most wonderful flavour to the cake, and it is a tip I would heartily recommend. People … [Read more...]

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No Pastry Quiche

November 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment
No Pastry Quiche

I love quiche, but I do not always want the added calories of pastry - with this recipe you really can have your quiche and eat it! Another handy tip for avoiding the use of pastry is from my adopted new home in Spain.  Frequently seen them remove crusts from a loaf of bread, roll out until thin and line a lightly oiled (olive oil is preferable) tin with the slices.  Add further pieces of bread if holes develop. Now, more often than not they utilise white bread, but I personally prefer … [Read more...]

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Breakfast & Tea Ideas – Pikelets

October 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Derbyshire Pikelets 8 oz plain flour 1 tsp salt ¼ oz fresh (or equivalent dried yeast – if dried follow instructions on pack) 1 teaspoon of caster sugar 1 egg ½ pint whole milk Sieve flour and salt into bowl. Cream yeast and sugar and add beaten egg and warmish milk. Add the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix to a thin batter consistency – if too thick, add more milk, a little at a time. Cover and leave to rise for 30 minutes in a warm place until it has doubled in … [Read more...]

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Scottish Butteries

October 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Aberdeen Butteries

These Scottish Butteries are a wonderful idea for breakfasting on a cold winters morning! (or even Autumn!). With a slightly salty twang they are tasty, although should only be eaten in moderation... Ingredients: 1 lb 7 oz white bread flour ½ oz sea salt ¼ oz grams dried yeast 14 fl oz warm water 1 tbsp unrefined caster sugar 12 oz unsalted butter, or half and half, lard and butter Method: Crumble the yeast into the lukewarm water, add the sugar, cover and leave in a warm place … [Read more...]

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Raspberry Jam Drops

October 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Ingredients: 6 oz plain flour 2 tbsp cornflour ½ oz Icing Sugar 1½ tbsp golden syrup 2 tbsp ground almonds Almond extract – a few drops 6 oz butter, diced 3 oz raspberry jam Method: Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius Sift the flour, cornflour and icing sugar into a bowl, stir in the syrup, ground almonds and almond extract Rub in the butter and press the mixture together to form dough Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead lightly until smooth Using … [Read more...]

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Butter Cookies

October 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Ingredients: 9 oz unsalted butter, softened 9 oz unrefined caster sugar 2 large eggs, lightly beaten ½ tsp vanilla extract 18 oz plain flour 1 tsp baking powder Method: Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, beat in the eggs and vanilla extract Sift the flour and baking powder into a separate bowl then stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture Bring the dough together using your hands and turn out onto a floured work surface, knead into a ball Divide the dough in … [Read more...]

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Coconut Cookies

October 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Ingredients: 5 oz softened butter 4 oz golden caster sugar 5 oz plain flour ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp vanilla extract 1½ oz desiccated coconut Method: Beat the sugar and butter until light and fluffy and smooth, mix in the vanilla extract Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and baking powder into the bowl, add the desiccated coconut and mix thoroughly until the mixture comes together Divide into two pieces and make into sausages approximately 2” … [Read more...]

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