Sunday 23 December 2012

Christmas Baking part one...

 Good afternoon everyone, hope all is going well in preparation for the holidays.

I have been baking today, with a couple of my kids helping as well which has been

a) - a lot of fun, so nice to spend time with them now work and school have finished for a bit
b) - really helpful, they are super cooks and take a lot of care with their cooking!

First of all, I must show you my lucky bargain from Laura Ashley yesterday, for some reason these were on sale - they were out of their shrink-wrap but in perfect condition...and so I thought "those kids are going to make a real effort with the baking.  Lets get something chic to put the goodies in - something more interesting than old celebrations tubs!!"

So here we have it, a trio of Scandinavian-inspired tubs:


Here we have a yummy batch of mince pies.  I made my own mincemeat from a Hairy Bikers recipe - you can find it here.  I use orange juice instead of alcohol, and a veggie suet which is readily available in supermarkets:

It doesnt look much does it - but it is absolutely delicious.  These little beauties are brimming with lovely mincemeatiness and made by my daughter.  We will drift a blizzard of icing sugar over them just before serving...


Then we went on to make veggie sausage rolls, my son is the acknowledged expert in making these


These are so delicious!  We absolutely love them.

Going back to the start of this post, I have really got into Scandinavian inspired themes this last couple of months.  I bought this lovely book as a little treat to myself just recently:


It is a lovely collection of recipes and general eye candy.  A most enjoyable read.

Well, Im off to get on with more craftiness - cant say anything more as the recipients may well be reading this ;)

Helenxx

10 comments:

  1. I have those tubs in the Gingerbread man design :)

    All looking scrummy in your house - no more baking here now till I buy more flour!!

    Meery Christmas to you & yours xxx

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  2. It sounds like a perfect way to spend the day, hugs to you.
    Meredith

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  3. What a lot of yumminess!!!
    Merry Christmas!!
    xo Kris

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  4. Mmmmm .... mince pies!!! I want to try this recipe! I miss mince pies! But what else can I use instead of suet do you think? I don't think I can find a veggie one or otherwise here! :)

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    1. I haven't seen on my trips to Jordan either...but if you can get hold of white vegetable shortening and chop it up finely that will work. Failing that try grating butter that has been in the freezer for an hour, that would work as well. Hope you get to make some!
      Helenxx

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  5. Wow, you are accomplishing a lot! I bet your family is in heaven with these goodies.

    ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
    *M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
    ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉

    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  6. All looks very delicious and might have to check out that book. Have a lovely Christmas and happy new year. Xxx

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  7. Isn't it fun to find beautiful bargains! I can smell the wonderful mincemeat through my computer screen. [ I have great sensory memories of the mincemeat pies my mom used to make:)] Joy to you and yours, Helen as you celebrate Christmas together. xx from Gracie

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  8. Looks yummy, Helen! Wishing you and you lovely cooks have a Magic Christmas!
    With lot of love from Russia
    Natasha &Fam

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  9. Happy Christmas! Love the tubs from Laura Ashley, saw some today in the window with just hearts on.

    I don't put suet in my mincemeat, vege or otherwise and they are always good, so perhaps Fruitful Fusion could just leave it out?

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