Hey all
I had a lot of fun yesterday (and Friday) decorating the Christmas cakes. I used the pink whisk for some of the how-to’s, so it is well worth a look if you wanted to create something similar. Lots of you voted for the polar bear, so I decided to go for it even though it looked tricky.
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!
I also did some like presents:
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. 🙂
I hope you are all busy getting ready for Christmas too- I have to decide one something for Christmas day as we will be going to Andy’s parents but I will make something for myself that they can heat up in the microwave- am thinking some kind of lentil shepherds pie with sweet potato mash on top? I have seen some lovely nut roast recipes but as I don’t really like all the potatoes etc that go along with it (and it is easier as they cook the potatoes in goose fat so would need to make some separately for me) I need more of a complete meal. Veggies/ vegans- what are you going to be eating this Christmas day? What do you normally do if you eat at someone else’s house?
Oh, and don’t forget to check out my giveaway 🙂
This was so delicious! It was from 
A card made by my class (how sweet- it is a stained glass style-they cut out the holes then covered in tissue paper- this is the style we did for the Christmas cards this year only they did a tree/star shape)- they all signed it too (made me quite tearful), and some lovely flowers from work.
I also feel rather strange as I keep on getting “Get Well Cards” through the post. I am not one used to being unwell, and I did not really feel like my situation warranted the cards. Andy keeps telling me off- I suppose I was in hospital last week.
On went the marzipan (stuck down with warm apricot jam- I did the top as a circle and then the edges as a long sausage shape which I then moulded together). This had to be left to set/ harden overnight as then the icing would stick better to it.
Then on went the icing. This was rolled out into a huge circle, draped over, smoothed on top and then smoothed around the side. All the extra bits were cut off and used for the next cake.
Onions, peppers and courgettes are what I eat most of anyway, plus pears and clementines are perfect for this time of year. It was the leeks and kale that I was not sure what to do with. I got a lot of suggestions for how to eat the kale- thanks to everyone for those. 
I tried to make kale chips to go along with 
I cooked the leeks in a tsp pure spread.
Then I whizzed up a block of tofu, some natural yoghurt (because I had some left but you could easily leave it out), some red pesto, some sundried tomatoes and a few bits of goats cheese. Then I added in the leeks and a little caramelised onion chutney.
Then I put the mixture into muffin tins (was not sure whether to use cases- I didn’t but think in the future I would as they were hard to get out) and topped with a little more goats cheese.
Turned out pretty well for something made up!
I enjoyed one (for quality control of course) with sweet potato, rocket and hummus, and it was really tasty. The leeks had a nice mild flavour which went well with the sharper goats cheese and sweet caramelised onions. They had the texture of maybe an omelette but without the eggy flavour (I don’t like eggy flavours!). I have frozen the other ones for a later date- I love a good freezer meal.
So into the pan went 4 bramley apples and 2 large mangoes (the recipe said I might need more, but this came to 1kg fruit, half each) with a tsp lemon juice.
After a while (20 mins? Â ) it went all mushy. I then turned on the oven to sterilise the jars.
Then in went the sugar (I used 1kg jam sugar with added pectin as I was taking no chances!).
It boiled for a while (I checked on the thermometer but also did the test of putting a bit of it on a cold saucer and checking that it wrinkled). It also bubbled and spat at me so I stood well back here- boiling sugar burns!
Then I poured it into the jars – even though I use a jam funnel this still makes a mess!
