ok, what do you start making now?

[TheLadyOfTheGreenKirtle]

this is the first Christmas that I am "doing". dh normally cooks lunch, but I have recently discovered a bit of a talent and would like to give it a go. we are looking at meats etc now (the pil's are coming for lunch) and I have a cake recipe but I want to make as much as possible myself. so what do i start making now?

I am making Delias mincemeat for my mince pies in the next couple of weeks - never done it before but it matures nicely before needed then!
Also trying to do as much as possible myself this year before we have DC2 due in Jan as I am sure there will be no time next year!

oooh do you have the recipe? I am on mince pie/cake duty this year and it might be nice to make my own!

Here you go, hope it goes well!:

450g cooking apples, peeled and finely chopped
225g shredded suet
350g raisins
225g sultanas
225g currants
225g mixed candied peel, finely chopped
350g soft dark brown sugar
grated rind and juice of 2 oranges
grated rind and juice of 2 lemons
50g whole almonds, cut into slivers
4tsp mixed spice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
6 tbsp brandy

Mix all together except brandy. Cover and leave for 12 hours. Then place bowl in a cool oven covered with foil (120oC, gas 1/4) for 3 hours. This will melt the suet. Allow to cool, stir in brandy and spoon into sterile jars. Cover with waxed discs and seal.

This is from the 1990 edition of the Delia complete cookery course book which my granny gave me so I dont know if any updates have been made in her later editions of the book but recipe looked fine to me!

I am thinking of making some chutney this yr so if anyone has any really good recipes i would be very grateful,thanks.

oooh, thank you

cwtchy, Im making this

I have made

Mincemeat for Mince Pies
Christmas Pudding
all the Chutneys to go with the Ham.

Hehem shamelss plug

and this

oooh fab blog! have added to my favourites.

Can't seem to find the recipe online so will post it but Nigella christmas chutney very good too - I made it last year as presents.

750g cooking apples, peeled and chopped small
1 medium onion, chopped
500g fresh or frozen cranberries
250g (pitted weight) soft dates, each cut into 3
zest, pulp and juice of 2 clementines
400g caster sugar
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
500ml white wine vinegar
1 tsp salt

Add everything into large pan, stir, bring to the boil then simmer uncovered for about an hour until pulpy. Spoon into sterile jars and seal.

It was recommended to make around 2 months in advance. Then use within 1 month when opened.

Yummy,thanks.

off to look at the blog

Ooh might give some of these a go with the DC who are bored stuck at home in the rain

think i shall make this

ooh thanks for the inspiratin, I'd like to make my own mincemeat this year, so will maybe give that a go.

I'm preparing to make Damson Gin not right now, but soon. yum.

inspiration

I am getting round to putting all my Christmas recipes on the blog so if anyone wants to join it, i will be adding some more in the next few weeks. :)

lovely, thank you!

Sloe Gin now. Yumness
And, sorry to be boring as I've posted this elsewhere, but now is the time to put Christmas bulbs in, if you do that.