As I could have predicted, my initial enthusiasm turned to realisation that writing a blog is a bit like homework!
Added to this, after the efforts of Stir-up Sunday, making three different things, I have not felt hugely enthusiastic towards making or baking much this week. This will change though, a new week and a new enthusiasm! (It might have something to do with the fact that it is pay day on Wednesday...)
Going back to Sunday 20th, a week ago, I finished the day chutney-making, filling a large saucepan full with grated onion and carrot. If you have never tried the Marks & Spencers sandwich filled with Wensleydale cheese and caramelised carrot chutney (very tasty) you may not know that deciding you like them so much you want to make your own at home is more difficult than it sounds. I took out a few preserves books from the library, expecting to find recipes, but alas, no! So, I essentially made the chutney as I would make a red onion version; add sugar, let the mixture brown a little bit, then add white wine vinegar, allowing to simmer and thicken. Add balsamic for colour and depth. The only problem compared to make onion chutney in small quantities for the odd burger, was the amount of carrot and onion, there was a lot. It meant the mixture sort of steamed at the bottom rather than browned. The colour was too orange (well, duh) and it didn't seem caramelised enough but I resolved that by adding the balsamic, which improved the colour, and by cooking it for longer, adding more sugar to taste. I won't know how good a chutney it is compared to the M&S until Christmas though. See below for the jarred result. With Wensleydale or mature cheddar and a charcoal biscuit I think this chutneycould be delicious. If not, well, l may just have to scour the shops for some!
What may have got me back in the mood for Christmas other than the thought of pay day may have been the event at which I bought the expensive biscuits; Thursday 24th Nov saw the John Lewis Oxford Street Food hall changed into a tasting evening. One of the things I love most in life is free food and drink, and I definitely left full! There was a lot of chocolate, a range of alcohols and pastries, hams, cheeses biscuits etc. The best alcohol was the G.H. Mumm Brut Champagne. along with a tasting, I learnt that it's best not to have too much food with a Brut, as the fizziness and acidity is best tasted on its own or with light canapés. At £31 a bottle, it's a bit above my price range but I was impressed, it was very fresh. As for savoury tastings, one of my favourites of the evening was charcoal crackers, made by Paxton & Whitfield. They were surprisingly very tasty, and the black colour will add something different to the Christmas buffet. The thing that was most delicious though, was the Iberico ham at the deli counter, I couldn’t get enough of it! And a good tip to know: if you decide you want Iberico ham freshly sliced, it’ll tastebest eaten within two days.
So, with some renewed vigour, I plan on making and finishing a few craft items on Thursday, it being 1st December:
- Christmas pudding baubles
- Cross-stitch cards
- Embossed wrapping paper
- Gift tags
- Clementine 'baubles' (see below)
I am hoping that by the end of Thursday, I’ll feel more on top of things, but there’s still lots of food preparation ahead. I’m hoping to make the following as gifts: (not on Thursday though, lord no!)
- More mince pies
- Peppermint creams
- Brazil nuts and walnuts dipped in chocolate
- Decorated gingerbread men (though I might cheat and just buy them, ready to decorate...)
- Homemade fudge
- Nigella Lawson's puddini bonbons
- Chocolate shapes
Lots to do then!
Looking decidedly un-caramelised...
Looking better
Bread sauce, one of the finest things in life! I felt it lacked something though...I think you definitely have to let the onion and cloves infuse the milk for longer than I did on this occasion, use purely white bread (I only had the Hovis 50/50 style to hand) and add a bit of cream at the end, makes all the difference!
An almost-finished cross-stitch Christmas bear. Just the green holly, bow tie and stamp and then the black line stitiches for the face etc. I used to love making cross-stitch cards at Christmas when I was younger, it's nice to make them again.
A lovely Lego Christmas tree in the Oxford Street branch of John Lewis.
Clementine or satsuma 'bauble' with cloves.
The M&S gingerbread men I'm considering decorating instead of making from scratch. Christmas sprinkles should look quite nice.
