Grapevine Christmas Recipes

[Alison]

Haven't seen any cranberries in the shops yet round here, am sure they're normally in by now!

[Earthbabe]

They had them in Sainsbury's at the weekend down here.

[Alison]

Thanks EB, will try on my way home tomorrow night.

[Earthbabe]

Brandy snaps

OK so a little "twee" to some. Made these with rice flour as a direct substitution and they were great, they only need to be cooked for half about 5 mins when made with rice flour. I also left them flat so they could be broken for ice cream or as I am planning for b'day party, dipped in chocolate.

60g (2 1/4 oz) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
60g (2 1/4 oz) plain flour, sifted
1 tsp ground ginger
60g (2 1/4oz) caster sugar
3 tbsps golden syrup
1 tbsp brandy or lemon juice
150ml (5floz) whipped double cream (optional)

1 Lightly butter two baking sheets and line with baking paper.
2 Preheat oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. If rolling round handles you will need 4 wooden spoons to hand.
3 Sift flour and ground ginger into a small bowl
4 Gently warm butter, sugar and syrup in a small pan until butter has melted. Remove from heat and add spiced flour and brandy/lemon juice.
5 Spoon level tsps onto baking sheets spaced well apart as the mix will spread. About 4 tsps per baking sheet
6 Bake for 8-10 mins until have spread and golden brown. Remove from oven and leave to cool for a minute or two. Gently loosen with a palette knife.
7 Using both hands roll biscuits neatly but not too tightly round spoon handles. Place on a wire rack and leave them to set for 1-2 mins.
8 As soon as one has set slide it off spoon and leave until cold and crisp. Store in an airtight tine layered between sheets of baking paper for up to four days.
9 Pipe in whipped cream before serving (small whirls at each end).

Enjoy!

[Mrs Dobby]

Thanks EB, will try on my way home tomorrow night.

Thay had them in Tesco's on Saturday too Alison, tho the price was a little

Also saw the price of a small punnet of blackberries, about a lb in weight, on half price at £1.49!!! With all of us that are battling brambles on the plot I'm sure we must get about a tenners worth just from the plots, without even trying to cultivate them!!

[Earthbabe]

Even in season the price of blackberries in supermarkets is I put so many in the freezer having also eaten loads fresh that it gave a really good feeling. As for the price of strawbs. Funny how you start to notice these things once you GYO. And then go "I'm no paying that!!!" in a loud voice to your OH when shopping.

[Mrs Dobby]

Lol EB!! Were you standing behind me or something?? Thats exactly what I said!

[Alison]

Still have the scars on my fingers from cutting back the blackberries etc the other week but at least I can feel smug about having bags of them in the freezer, and the red and blackcurrants and gooseberries! The raspberries never make it that far but I have got a couple of jars of stawberry jam left!

Not been to the supermarket for a few weeks so still not got any cranberries - may try later this week although it'll only wind me up and I'll spend too much.

[madderbat]

Hello
Just thought I'd pass on my favourite Christmas recipe - chestnut Stuffing
Good Housekeeping recipe uses 2oz chopped bacon (veggies can omit)
4oz white breadcrumbs, 1 tsp chopped parsley,1 oz melted butter grated rind of 1 lemon, 8oz chestnut puree (canned or cook your own and mash them) salt and pepper, 1 egg
fry bacon until crisp, drain and add the rest of the ingredients, binding with beaten egg.
Cook separately for about 30 mins
Makes a good roulade filling or use it as a pie base.
Happy Christmas

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Madderbat! Welcome to this madhouse! I'm sure you will enjoy it here. That recipe looks good - thanks!

[madderbat]

Thanks for the welcome, I feel that I may have a lot in common with members of this site, having taken on an allotment last year and started brewing wine this Autumn.
Will enjoy sharing experiences.

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi Madderbat!

A warm welcome from Mr D and myself too! Hope you find this madhouse as much fun as do the rest of the grapes who make up its inhabitants!

[madderbat]

warm greetings and thanks for the welcome

I feel at home already, and look forward to sharing with you.

[Alison]

Thay had them in Tesco's on Saturday too Alison, tho the price was a little

Popped into Tesco today and they were on special at half price so bought a load - if it's wet tomorrow will be making my cranberry sauce and using the rest for some of DDL's cranberry chutney.

[nick the grief]

Right gang.

Mrs Grief has expressed a desire, and me being a good husband, I would like to satisfy it to the best of my ability.

So, any good recipes for cooking Red Cabbage? we had some last night at her works Dooo & very passible it was too.

Well. what did you think I was talking about