Favourite Christmas Recipes

[northepaul]

I love a mug or 3 of mulled wine it doesn't have to be expensive and its not hard to make, we go to friends on Christmas day evening and I always make some and take it with us..it goes down a treat.

Christmas Mulled Wine

2 bottles of red wine (you don't have to buy expensive wine)
2 ounces of brandy
4 cinnamon sticks
A handful of cloves
A dash of nutmeg
2 lemons
2 oranges
¼ cup sugar

Wash and cut the lemons and oranges into slices, leaving the peel on.

Place the wine in a large pan and slowly simmer. Do not bring to a boil.

Add the lemons, oranges, brandy, spices and sugar. Leave to simmer for approximately 20 minutes. Add cinnamon sticks and simmer for a few minutes more.

Serve warm in mugs or heat proof glasses.

Just out of interest, is it possible to replace the oranges with anything, as I am allergic to them ...could I just use more lemons, do you think?

[smallblueplanet]

I've just made these (lush) and then made some more, substituting the garlic for 2 tsp of smoked paprika

Oh the smoked paprika sounds good - we've got some of that 'La Chinata' from Sains, very nice it is. Might try it with smoked paprika and garlic.

[Glutton4...]

No - short crust pastry, make like mince pies but add cooled cooked minced beef. I fry it in a little oil, strain off any excess fat that comes from the mince, then add some gravy mix and water till I like the consistency. Cool it down then make the pies. They are gorgeous when warm so I warm them up to serve. I made a batch yesterday to put in the freezer. (PS, I don't put onion or garlic in these because they upset Mum-in-law's system. They're better with the additions!)

I also do cheese and onion ones. You need a bit of left-over mashed potato (hard to come by in this spud-loving household!) Add grated cheese and finely chopped onion and a little milk or cream to get a softish consistency. Fill the cases with this. Fantastic!

That's it - I'm drooling now!


*adds pastry to shopping list...

[marigold007]

I got this one from Nigella's website after seeing it in her Christmas special. I used homegrown beetroot and my own grown shallots instead of the onions. I just made it today. It's really very scrummy!

Beetroot and Ginger Chutney

Description

You will need 6 x 250ml/9oz sealable jars, with vinegar-proof lids, such as Kilner jars or re-usable pickle jars
Ingredients

500g/1lb 2oz fresh beetroot, peeled, finely chopped
1kg/2lb 2oz cooking apples, peeled, quartered, cored, roughly chopped
275g/10oz red onion, finely chopped
2.5cm/1in piece fresh ginger, peeled, grated
75g/2½oz crystallised stem ginger, finely chopped
350g/12oz soft light brown sugar
2 tsp Maldon salt, or 1 tsp table salt
1 tsp ground allspice
750ml/1 pint 7fl oz red wine vinegar
Method

1. Place the beetroot, apple and red onion into a large pan.
2. Add the fresh ginger, crystallised ginger, brown sugar, salt and ground allspice.
3. Add the vinegar and stir to mix well.
4. Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for approximately one hour, stirring every now and again, until the beetroot pieces are tender.
5. Spoon into sterilised jars and seal. Keep refrigerated and use within four weeks.

[ginger ninger]

Just out of interest, is it possible to replace the oranges with anything, as I am allergic to them ...could I just use more lemons, do you think?

I can't see any harm in putting more lemons in to be honest, such a shame about your allergy.

[northepaul]

I can't see any harm in putting more lemons in to be honest, such a shame about your allergy.

Yes its bloody annoying, especially as you wouldnt automatically assume that, for example, gluwein would have oranges in...or christmas cake
However I made my own and substituted the orange juice for grape juice...