Hooray! First up, I managed to track down some lovely Meridian mince pie filling- in the end I went to the health food shop in Welwyn and got the last jar!
So today started with mince pie porridge! Hooray! I made it super liquidy with almond milk (I much prefer it runny- when it gets all thick I find it hard to swallow and I think that is why I didn’t like it in hospital- you could have stood up a spoon in it!) and then added a spoonful of the filling after it was cooked. So good 🙂
As an aside I am feeling much better at the moment- not much paracetamol needed at all, and I can strand up straight and walk normally- phew. (Have no idea why, as nothing has physically changed, but I won’t complain).
Then I realised we had guests this afternoon (Andy’s parents and Grandad) so after thinking about it for ages, I decided to make some sort of mincemeat slices.  I based the recipe loosely on CCK’s crumble bars.
For the base mix 1.5 cups flour (I used wholegrain spelt), 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon,1 tsp mixed spice, 1/4 cup melted coconut butter and 2 tbs milk (I used almond milk so these are vegan so long as the mincemeat is vegan).
For the filling mix a jar of mincemeat, 2 small peeled and chopped pears (you could use apples) and a sprinkle of dried cranberries.
Spread the base into a lined pan (I used my brownie pan which is about the size of a 6 hole big muffin pan) and press it down. Bake 180C for 10 mins.
Then spread over the filling.
And top with some marzipan stars (roll it out and cut them out with cookie cutters).
Return to the oven and bake for about 35 mins.
Then dust with icing sugar (or sugar mixed with cinnamon on something).
I used normal mincemeat (which turned out to taste very alcoholic when we had a little piece this afternoon!) but if you used the meridian stuff then that would lower the sugar content etc.
Anyway, I am not a fan of mince pies as I don’t really like pastry, so this is ideal as the base in this is lighter than pastry, plus you get more filling to base ratio. And of course anything with marzipan wins in my opinion!
I also had the most amazing hummus at lunch! Yum!
Yesterday I went to Waitrose (because it has free parking and I wanted to visit the health food shop to look for the mince pie filling, but also because Andy wanted one of their pizzas) and I noticed caramelised onion hummus reduced. I had some today with a lot of cucumber, the rest of the roasted tomato hummus and some little ryvita chilli crackers for dipping, and the hummus is amazing. It goes off tomorrow so I might actually have to eat the rest in one day. Pity. It was a delicious lunch anyway, finished off with some red grapes and clementines. Yum.
The other day (they all merge into one, not sure which day!) I started on my gingerbread house. I only wanted to make a small one, so had loads of dough left over which I made into cookies- gingerbread men and hearts. I also made some pebbles for the roof, but in the end I didn’t think they suited it (I will save that post for another day). Anyway, to make them special (and for gifts) I dipped them in chocolate.
I scooped them back out with a fork, and left them to cool/ harden on baking paper.
Then once they are dry/ hard, gently peel them off and bag them up for gifts.
Dark chocolate and gingerbread just go together so well. 🙂
To bring it back to the mincemeat, I was thinking that a dollop would go rather well on top of pancakes? That may be my boxing day brunch 🙂
Mincemeat- yes or no? And if yes, how do you eat yours? (I know I know it’s not Easter time but I just have it in my head now).
Have a lovely Christmas eve! 🙂
Then in a small pan gently heat 3 tbs butter (I used Pure spread so they are vegan also), 3 tbs light brown soft sugar, 3 tbs dark brown soft sugar and a squirt of maple syrup.
Let it bubble away for a few minutes, then add a drop of vanilla, a drop of orange extract, a tsp cinnamon and a tsp mixed spice.
Pour the mixture over the nuts and dried fruit, and mix mix mix. Mix until they are all coated in the mixture. It gets very sticky!
Pour it onto the baking tray and spread it out.
Bag it up ready for gifts, and of course keep some for yourself!
Yum! They smell like Christmas 🙂
Seriously, how cute is this bag? Apparently it is for cupcakes but I think caramels are a much better filling!
I also ordered some rawr chocolate- they do Christmas chocolate with is flavoured with orange oil, cinnamon and nutmeg. Again- amazing- tastes like Christmas. 🙂
Seedy toast with rainforest nut butter and blackcurrant spread.
Tomato soup (good old Heinz not home-made!) and some tomato and goats cheese flatbread. Â Plus 2 clementines- so delicious.
Gingerbread spice tea! So yummy!
Pasta with red pesto, veggies and cheese (I did not manage all of this as I got so full though).
Baked apple with raisins and caramel alpro.
for white chocolate fudge) and just adapt that instead.
Gently melt the ingredients, stir to stop it burning to the bottom. Then let it bubble away until it reaches the soft ball stage (113C). At this point turn off the heat and add in the Christmas pudding crumbles.
Then get out the electric whisk and beat away. (Traditional recipes seem to say to put the pan in some cold water and beat by hand, but this way always works for me).
Keep going until it gets harder to whisk. If you take the beaters out the fudge will drip off in a sort of stalactite way. Then pour into the lined pan.
Leave it to cool- I leave it at room temperature as I find it much easier to slice when it is still a little soft- in the fridge it goes too crumbly and can snap when slicing. I left this for maybe 2 hours and then it was super easy to slice.
Then bag it up ready for giving as gifts. (I had a friend visit me yesterday so she got the first bag).
Bag up the rest (and optional- keep a little pot for yourself).
It did take a while (and his ears kept falling off at first) but I am really pleased with how he looks! Too pretty to eat! I had fun with the edible glitter too, but you had to dampen the icing for it to stick and that had not dried when I took the photos.
I also did one with gingerbread men and candy canes.
Although I made the mistake of using the gel icing for the eyes- it is super sticky and does not dry. The holly was tricky as you were meant to have cutters but I didn’t so had to make do with a knife- easier said than done!
In the box from Dunelm Mill ready to be given away.
The boxes are so good, as they come with the boards too. Normally I either give them away in tins that I want back, or have to wrap them carefully in a lot of silver foil and things.  I will have to remember that for next year. 🙂