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SANTA'S
LITTLE HELPER |
Every year Christmas seems to rush
up on us even though we have had a whole twelve months to get used to the
idea. I thought I would create a new page in the hope it may provide
some useful ideas and information for someone out there.
| Wrap presents as you go,
rather than waiting until the last minute to wrap all your gifts at
once. Do make sure they are clearly marked with the recipient's
name to avoid any confusion later on. |
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If you want to make an
extra special present for someone and like woodwork, how about this
lovely wheelbarrow planter.
Details instructions can
been found here. |
A QUICK, SIMPLE BUT DELICIOUS
CHRISTMAS CAKE RECIPE
Contributed by Brenda Young
Ingredients
8 oz. Plain Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
2 well beaten eggs
1 cup cold water
7 oz. sugar
1 teaspoon Bicarbonate of
soda (baking soda)
1 lb. mixed dried fruit
4 oz. butter
1 teaspoon mixed spice
nuts and/or cherries
(optional)
3/4 cup sherry (three
quarters not three to four cups!!!!!) - a preferred alternative can be
substituted here)
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Method
Sift together flour and
baking powder.
Place all other
ingredients EXCEPT FOR THE EGGS into a saucepan and bring slowly to
the boil.
Remove from heat.
Add the sifted flour and
baking powder, then the well beaten eggs.
Pour into a lined cake
tin (approx. 8 ins. x 5 ins.) and bake for 1 to 1.1/2 hours on
centre shelf at 180 deg. C, (350 deg. F: Gas Mark 4).
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Induction
Torch
Requires no bulb or batteries!!
New lower price - was £29.95!!
- Now £14.95
With the world in the state it is in at the moment this ingenious
gadget really is an essential for every household. It uses the Faraday
Principle of Electromagnetic Energy that guarantees replacement parts
will never be needed!
All you do is give it a shake for 15-30 seconds, and it will provide
up to 5 minutes of continuous bright light!
The super bright blue LED light is highly visible, allowing you to see
exactly what you need to see, or to get someone’s attention. |
OTHER GADGETS
AND GIFTS
| You can avoid that last
minute shopping panic, not to mention crushes, by making a list of all
the people for whom you need presents, then take time to think of
suitable items for each person listed. These gifts can then be
purchased well before the Christmas rush begins. In addition,
the selection is often better and it also helps to spread the cost
over a longer period. |
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Full of tips and secrets to ensure that every dish is
a rip-roaring success, the cook will be relaxed in the knowledge
that all the dishes are practical and easy to follow.
Time is of
short supply during the festive season so the book shows the reader
what can be done ahead, what can be frozen and how to cheat
successfully when the chips are down.
Step-by-step photographs will
reassure first-timers, while new ideas and twists on old favourites
will inspire veteran cooks throughout the season. Readers will find
over 80 recipes, all photographed, and features also include the
complete Christmas day feast with time plan, and guest contributions
from all the top chefs.
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| Check if a Christmas tree
is fresh by looking at the cut edge of the truck - it should be sticky
with sap. To keep it fresher for longer, cut 2 ins. from the
base of the trunk and stand the tree for two or three days in a bucket
of water containing a cup of sugar or some honey before decorating.
Obviously this only
applies to cut fresh trees not those with roots attached. |
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Entertaining, decorating
and giving.
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LIGHT AND SIMPLE PASTRY RECIPES
Contributed by Brenda Young
RECIPE 1
| Ingredients
8 oz. plain flour
1/2 (half) teaspoon salt
and/ or 1 dessertspoonful sugar
Spices if required****
6 tablespoons vegetable oil (not Olive oil)
3-4 tablespoons water
Squeeze lemon juice (optional) |
Method
Sieve together the flour, salt, sugar and
spices (if used).
Beat together oil, water and lemon juice.
Pour onto the flour mixture and mix witha
fork.
Knead lightly, roll out.
Do not try to roll out too thinly and do
not keep this pastry.
**** various spices can be added according
to the filling e.g. cinnamon with peach, mace with cherry, ginger with
rhubarb etc. |
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Vegetarian Christmas brings together an unrivalled
host of imaginative, rich and tasty recipes for the festive dining
table. Foods to suit the wide-range of demands placed on the host at
Christmas time include:
* nibbles and buffet goodies
* celebration
centrepieces and vegetarian side dishes
* very naughty but very nice
christmas puddings and desserts
* sweet cakes and biscuits
* six
fully planned-out Christmas Day menus From Chestnut & Red Wine
Pate En Croute and Little Brie & Hazelnut Bakes to Boozy Vegan
Ice-Cream and Drenched Lemon Cake readers are spoiled for choice
with recipes for a very special Christmas magic.
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GIFT
SUGGESTIONS
A coffee mug, cup and saucer or beer
tankard filled with sweets, home made biscuits, nuts etc. make ideal
gifts for colleagues, neighbours, teachers etc.
Alternatively, a glass or porcelain
bowl/dish can be filled with bath salts, pot pourri, soaps, emery
boards, cotton wool balls/buds, nail varnish, floating candles - the
list is endless.
For DIY enthusiasts try a container
with a lid and include small packets of nails, screws, rawl plugs,
measuring tape, sandpaper etc. etc.
A cook would be delighted to receive a
baking tin or basket containing different spices.
Children love collecting all the
different items to include in this type of gift and can sometimes even
make some of the things to be included. |
LIGHT AND SIMPLE PASTRY RECIPES
Contributed by Brenda Young
RECIPE 2
| Ingredients
13 oz. Plain flour and a little baking
powder*
*Self Raising flour can be used with no
baking powder added.
1 small cup plain yoghurt or sour cream.
8 oz. margarine |
Method
Place flour (and baking powder if used)
into a bowl.
Make dip in middle and add yoghurt/cream.
Brush flour over yoghurt/cream.
Cut margarine into small pieces and add to
mixture.
Mix with a fork.
Knead and if sticky add a little more
flour.
Refrigerate overnight.
This can then be rolled out and spread with
such things as jam, grated chocolate, chopped nuts, coconut, sultanas,
cocoa and sugar, apples or any similar combinations.
Then roll and bake on a greaseproof sheet
in the top of a moderate oven until brown.
350 deg. F., 180 C. or Mark 4 Gas. |
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CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES |
| Ingredients
100 g. Digestive biscuits
175 g. Chocolate (any kind)
50 g. softened butter
50 g. icing sugar (powdered sugar)
Cocoa for coating. |
Method
Put biscuits into a plastic bag and crush using
a rolling pin or something similar.
Put chocolate into bowl and melt either over hot
water or in microwave.
Add the sifted icing sugar, softened butter and
biscuits to the chocolate mixture and mix well.
Place in refrigerator for ten minutes to chill.
Take about a teaspoon of this mixture and form
into a ball shape.
Roll into some cocoa powder and ensure
completely covered. |
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