Has anyone started yet.. I start next week, although the cake and mincemeat are already done.
XX Jeannine
Yup! Cake and pudding both made about 2 weeks ago.
Steamed for many hours
I usually make aCreole Xmas cake (Delia Smith) the week before Christmas. Last year's is still wrapped up, untouched, in the cupboard as we didn't get around to it. We dont like marzipan or icing so it's just boozy fruit cake and fab.
Possum and I don't like Xmas pud so I just buy a couple of small organic ones for himself an dthey last him the holiday period. I do make open mince pies but they have to be eaten fresh so no advance cooking here except for having rhubrab chutney, chilli jam and damson chutney made. The two chutneys need 3 months to mature well so the timing's perfect.
We don't do turkey or geese either, being just the 3 of us for Xmas dinner. I tend to do duck breast with red wine and Juniper sauce and have a ham cooked for sandwiches and snacks. i'll be doing the Spice men version this year as taht looked scrumptious.
The Belgians have their main fast on Xmas Eve and are back at work on Boxing Day. OH will be taking the whole week off a swe have a heavy date with an old 50s dresser thingy that needs stripping andpainting and will take two of us to tackle.
You're all so well organised it puts me to shame. I won't be starting any prep until early November!
The reason I asked is because at Christmas apart from the usual mince pies, shortbread etc I took on the North American tradition of squares when I came here many many years ago and my family love it. The squares are all cut into dainty sizes 1 1/2 inch at the most and there ideally should be a big selection of different ones. They are made in a baking tin usually about 9 ins square. they freeze beautifully and cut while frozen and are very very easy to make. I start making them about now and make a couple or three a week till I have enough variety, then when I cut a few of each it gives a glorious plate of assorted pretties, all different colours and types and they are great for last minute giving.
There is a very good book by Jean Pare, one if the Company's Coming range called 150 Squares, I think it should be still available in the UK, I use some of the squares from this book myself.
The beauty of these is that the kids can help and many are no bake treats.
XX Jeannine
I've got a recipe for diabetic fruit cake. I'm going to make one this year, hopefully in November as I don't think it will keep well and I might just eat it before Christmas if I do it earlier :toothy10:
Jeannine I have just ordered the book :) sounds just what I need, being on a diet, I can make them and freeze them and then just take out what is needed to feed the others with no temptation for me.....I hope :)
I've just started stockpiling ingredients as Asda have been doing a few good offers. I've booked myself a day in the kitchen on tuesday to have a pre-christmas bake. I like to do my usual mincies etc and give a few new recipes a try.
I attempted christmas cake for the first time last year and it was OK, not amazing, just ok. So a bit of homework to be done for this years I think
Tulipa, you will love the book, if you have any problems with it get back to me. Mine is falling apart and is full of comments I have written. At the back I have a list of our favourites
I love the Jean Pare books, the muffins one is an excellent book too, oh and the pies, however that one is hard to find and fetches a lot even secondhand.
Mrs_m. it took me years to finally make a cake I was happy with, there are as many recipes out there as there are types of tomatoes. A really good one is in The Australian Cookbook series, I forget which book it is in but it involves soaking the fruit, booze etc for about a month, the cake is lovely and moist, I can find the recipe if you want it, in the same book they have about 4 others too each pretty good if you don't want the soaking bit.
XX Jeannine