Hamper recipes?

[Tinkerisdead]

Was just browsing the recipe threads and struck me that I may make hampers this year for (shhhh christmas, whispers in as still only Aug).

We're really piss poor as DH's biz has gone bust. Normally have to buy for 4 sets of parents as all seperated/remarried. Siblings & families etc. Now I'm thinking some carefully prepared hampers with home made goods may be good way to go, especially with some forward thinking and planning.

What would be good to put in them..I'm a dab hand at cooking and can decorate a cake well so thinking of starting with an xmas cake and an xmas pud? but what else?

I misread this as hamster recipes.

I was just going to type exactly the same thing corn!

I am making a hamper for my inlaws. I made one for my mum last year and MIL was a bit so this year it is their turn!

I am probably going to put 2 types of jam, 2 types of chutney, marmalade, shortbread, fudge, oatcakes, cinder toffee etc. Possibly pickled onions and beetroot, depending on how they turn out!

Lets see how many saucepans I can ruin with burnt sugar

Sweets - eg fudge
Jam
Chutney
Flavoured oils
Shortbread

I would like to state now that Holly the Hamster will not be being pickled and packed in a wicker basket as a Christmas gift.

time to start on the jam and chutney I think!

tomato chutney can be a good one to do at this time of year when tomatoes are in season...

Any good mumsnetter knows you can only eat hamster in stew!

hmmm liking the ideas but the family may not be the type who want preserves...more the wolf it down for xmas tea types... do you think its feasible to make a game or pork pie, or will i give them all botcholism after i've driven round to all their houses!

I did get much adoration after they ate my mincepies last year so i'll do them too.

where's best for jars etc?

ooohhh tass brilliant, we're having to stay with my mum and she has a glut of tomatoes i can pinch

excellent! then in october you find someone with a glut of apples for spiced apple chutney...some Christmas fabric on top and a Cath Kidston label and that's your Christmas gifts sorted!

(the year I was weaning i stored up baby food jars and made up wee selections of teeny jars of chutney, mmmmmm!)

Home made choc truffles. I know some recipes that cost almost nothing and taste like heaven. But they do need refrigerating or eating fairly quickly so make them for chocoholics.