applesteamdream

Well we are into December at last, and our tree has gone up…..still got the hallway to decorate though….just like Narnia Winter wonderland…..watch this space.

As you can see below the wrapping idea worked a treat, we’re really pleased with the way it looks. No sticky tape means the brown paper can be re-used, as well as the cloth red ribbon, 25 mtrs for less than £3, from E-bay. Next year we might use newspaper and string…..what about using gift bags that can be used year after year, try and wrap ecologically and don’t waste paper.

If you use commercial paper, don’t use sticky tape. That way you could buy a recycled paper “log Press” and make eco-logs out of the old paper: add water in a bucket, add paper, place lots of the wet paper into the log press and Hey presto: Eco-log. They take a bit of time to dry out, so do a few at a time.

The eco log will burn slowly on the open fire, what about having a fire pit in the garden….for Boxing Day treat?

On another note, we have just tried a mincemeat recipe that was given my mum, by a lady that was 100 years old, the recipe was given to her by her mother. Its at least 200 years old, the recipe that is not her mother. For our American readers, this mincemeat recipe is a sweet mix of dried and glace fruit, with sugar and brandy etc. Here is a treat….the recipe in question, (bake in little individual pastry cases for delicious mince pies)

1/2 lb currants

1/2 lb sultanas

1/4 lb candied peel

2 oz ground almonds

large cooking apple

1/4 lb suet (we used vegetarian)

1/2 lb soft brown sugar

rind and juice of  1 orange and 1 lemon

1 or 2 teaspoons ground, dried mixed spice (cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg, clove, pimento, ginger)

10 glace cherries sliced in half.

Method

Clean fruit, peel and chop apple into small pieces or slivers.

Remove rind of orange and lemon, and squeeze juice, removing pips and pith.

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl, add two or three tablespoons of brandy or whiskey or dark rum (optional).

Then stir in well. Cover and stir two or three times a day for a couple of days. Then keep in sterilised jars till needed.

Make some individual short crust pastry cases, fill with mincemeat, add pastry lid and bake in line with your pastry recipe.

These are gorgeous served with ice-cream, double cream or custard…or cold with a nice coffee.

You could go the whole distance and serve with double cream mixed with some pouring honey and whiskey….delicious.

Have a lovely time preparing for the festive season,

Ric and Richard xx