Make ahead xmas gifts??

[Feral007]

Well! I'm liking the sounds of the alcomaholic versions of Christmas on here But can't afford that sort of alcohol myself, let alone to give away.
The salt and spice rubs sound fab.
The infused oil is disappointing since it says you need to use it in a month if it's olive oil
The infused vinegar seems to have a better life span.

So I've been thinking along the lines of infused vinegar. Maybe the jar/orange/sugarcubes/coffee beans for the 44 (diy - add your own alcomahol.)
A couple of salt/spice rubs.
Might keep the mulled wine sachets for Christmad in July.

I could put the recipe for the 44 around the bottle.
Some cooking ideas with the rubs.
And some salad ideas for the infused vinegar.

Then I went outside and viewed the garden thru the rain. Too wet to try drying herbs today.
And saw the horseradish. Given when I first moved here. Gone feral along with the mint.

So I've been researching horseradish! So horseradish vinegar is looking good.

Of course, with my mind (and not liking or growing chilli's) I'm wondering...is there such a thing as Horseradish vodka? And if not could I invent it? And if I had too liberal a hand with the horseradish would I go to jail for giving a bottle of it to the ex? Well you know, tis the season for giving.
Goes back to the norty step taking the 44 with her....

[scarey55]

Ok I've just googled Kilner jars so I know what that is. For the 44 - you remove the orange and coffee beans thru muslin? Or a fine mesh sieve?

Either, I usually just take the orange out and then strain the rest through a fine sieve but a muslin will work just as well ( you could add the muslin as part of the kit)

Do you then put it back in the jar? Top it up, or they get it at low tide? Or into another jar/bottle?

After 44 days, sieve it and put into bottles ready to drink.

[Creemteez]

Done 40 of these babes so far. Thirty more to go! My tuna tin-sized Hamper Cakes

[scarey55]

Wow! they look fantastic, well done.

[Bren In Pots]

The do look pretty there's going to be some lucky folks at Christmas.

[ancee]

Mikey! Brilliant idea - I'm going to do some of those for my Mum she loves brazils

[Nannysally99]

You are so clever, lucky recipients


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[wollyanna]

These are brilliant . Its something I've been planning to do for years but always get cold feet when it comes to deciding how much cake mix to a start with and then portion out and then the cooking time.Any help would be gratefully appreciated.I make Christmas puddings for everyone by the barrow load so it would be nice to add a Christmas cake as well. Reminds me it stir up Sunday today so I'd better get started!!!!!

[Shadylane]

Done 40 of these babes so far. Thirty more to go! My tuna tin-sized Hamper Cakes

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40??? I am in awe. I have about 5 to do and that's going to take me long enough...doubt they'll look anything like these either.

[alldigging]

Either, I usually just take the orange out and then strain the rest through a fine sieve but a muslin will work just as well ( you could add the muslin as part of the kit)


After 44 days, sieve it and put into bottles ready to drink.

I've topped the orange back up... Suspect it won't be as flavoursome but it'll still be good.

[Creemteez]

These are brilliant . Its something I've been planning to do for years but always get cold feet when it comes to deciding how much cake mix to a start with and then portion out and then the cooking time.Any help would be gratefully appreciated.I make Christmas puddings for everyone by the barrow load so it would be nice to add a Christmas cake as well. Reminds me it stir up Sunday today so I'd better get started!!!!!

Don't be scared, Wollyanna. I make up the same quantity of rich fruit cake mixture as I would use for a 12" square wedding/celebration cake, then (and this is my secret - so don't tell anyone!) I use 185gm tuna tins (labels removed and put through a hot wash in the dishwasher, then oiled and lined with baking parchment in the usual way.) they take 200gms of cake mix and take about 45 - 60 mins at 160. I feed them with brandy for a couple of weeks and then do the decorating thing. This method yields me about thirty mini cakes.

[Creemteez]

Taking a break from Gingerbread Carousel decorating today as I've four 8" Christmas Cakes on the go for a last minute order. As I'm tied to the kitchen while they bake, I'm putting the time to good use....


Christmas Pudding Truffle anyone?..

[wollyanna]

Going to take the plunge

[Well thank you for that. You've given me a boost so I will try next week.The recipe I have been using for wedding,christening and birthday cakes is rather ancient one of Zenna Skinners and only for and 8' square but I have upped it in the past for wedding cakes so will use that. I thought I had made enough Christmas Puddings but have had more requests so will have to do another batch even though Stir up Sunday has passed.I'm furiously trying to finish 2 Bucilla Christmas stockings for my grandchildren. Well I'd better get on so I can concentrate on the cakes next week.

[taff]

Christmas Pudding Truffle anyone?..

Certainly! Got a recipe?

[Creemteez]

Taff I "tweaked " Nigella's Christmas Pudini substituting christmas cake trimmings (from leveling off my mini cakes) and some chocolate sponge off-cuts that I had stored in the freezer from an earlier project) - instead of using cooked and cooled Christmas Pudding.
Crumbled the cake, added melted butter, melted dark chocolate and VERY generous lug of sherry (or whatever you prefer). Mixed it well, allowed to firm up, rolled into 25gm balls (yes, I weighed them!) then topped off with melted white chocolate and little bits of glace cherry/Angelica to make berries and leaves. Voila! Great fun ti make with the kids, though I'd leave out the sherry, then!