Potato Boulangère - Cooked in a Steam Combination Oven For Christmas 2015

Saturday 6 December 2014


I've made this Jamie Oliver recipe numerous times, it's quick, easy and a healthier option to the usual potato dauphinoise.  Potato Boulangère is simply thinly sliced potatoes, onions and stock layered up in a dish.  I like Delia's recipe too......

When I chose my new kitchen the purchase of a steam combination oven was an indulgence, especially as I had no idea if I was going to be happy with it but now I don't know how I managed without it. The advantage of cooking in this type of oven using the fan/steam mode is food doesn't dry out and also cooks quicker, I cooked this dish in just over 30 minutes at 200°C Fan/Steam.

Steam ovens have to be used with caution, when I first used mine I had one or two nasty burns and I learnt very quickly that my best friend was going to be a set of of double oven gloves that have an extra long cuff, a protective steam layer and don't let the heat through.  I'd recommend C'est Ca because they never let me down.


Adapted Recipe:
750g maincrop potatoes
1 onion, sliced
sage leaves
200ml vegetable stock
Parmesan cheese
butter

Conventional Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Peel and thinly slice the potatoes, add a layer over the base followed by a layer of onions, season. Build up the layers finishing with a layer of potatoes.
3. Pour the stock over the potatoes, season. Grate the Parmesan over the potatoes, top with a few fresh sage leaves. Top with a few pieces of butter. Cook for an hour until golden and the potatoes are cooked through.

The original recipe is on the Jamie Oliver website.

Raspberry and White Chocolate Brioche Pudding - Recipe For Christmas 2015


I love this pudding, it's easy to make, you don't need to spend loads of time in the kitchen and it's perfect for this time of the year when we are all beginning to feel festive. It's lightweight to eat compared to panettone pudding and I've substituted some of the cream for semi-skimmed milk to cut down on calories.I bought a pack of 8 brioche rolls from the shop that sells everything for a £1, they are really light and perfect for this pudding, I only used four of the rolls and popped the remaining four into the freezer for another day.

White buttons are best or white chocolate chips because the chocolate needs to melt quickly.When I came to make the pudding I found I had ran out of buttons and used chunks of chocolate.


I used frozen raspberries, which have a good amount of tang to them compared with fresh and for some Christmas spirit I marinated the frozen raspberries in brandy for a few minutes!

Serves: 4

You will need:  150ml semi-skimmed milk, 150ml whipping cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 eggs, 4 brioche rolls sliced horizontally into two, 100g frozen raspberries, 1 tbsp brandy, 25g white chocolate buttons

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 170°C.  Butter a dish which is large enough to take four brioche rolls.
2. Whisk the eggs, milk, cream and vanilla extract together.
3. Tip the frozen raspberries into a small bowl and stir in the brandy.
4. Place the cut brioche into the dish and pour the egg mixture over. Sprinkle over the raspberries and chocolate.
5. Place the dish in a roasting pan. Pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the dish. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until just set.
6. Dust with icing sugar.

Heinz Chilli Sauces For Christmas 2015



You work long hours, its gloomy outside and you've come home from work to be greeted by a few pieces of uninspiring chicken in the fridge. What can you do to spice things up a bit and perhaps your own life too while you’re at it :)

Well put down your oven gloves and look no further than the video to see how to add more zing to that chicken than you’d even dare to imagine.

From the video it looks like Heinz has gone all exotic on us! So cast away your HP Sauce and whilst you’re there, turn a blind eye to the Ketchup, and indulge yourself in the latest cult sauces from Heinz which will solve any dinner time dilemma.

Heinz has revealed some fabulous sauces for the taking. Whether you want to marinate, dip as you go, or just do a quick glaze on a piece of chicken under the grill, Heinz have found an imaginative way to help spice up even the most everyday meal, so you get more bang from your buck at home.

You love Sweet Chilli – you got it! How about packing a real punch on the side with a Jerk BBQ sauce - yep, you've got it! Or how about a super zingy Peri Peri Hot Pepper Sauce – well it’s all yours for the taking!

We’ve got our Heinz sauces in and started experimenting with them, so let us know how you get on with your own culinary adventures.

Disclaimer: This post has been sponsored by Heinz, all thoughts are our own.

Meringue Roulade with Elderflower Infused Strawberries - Recipe For Christmas 2015


Strawberries from the garden, egg whites from the freezer, chocolate from the store cupboard - I only had to buy the whipping cream.  I nearly got away with a free dessert!

The slightly adapted recipe is by Mary Berry and one I have used many, many times and in true Mary Berry style - I cut the finished roulade in half and put one half in the freezer for another day.

I serve my meringue with lots of macerated strawberries
I'm very sad but I always feel happy when I line a tin neatly
Remove the lining paper and dab meringue into the four corners (this secures the lining paper)
place the lining paper into the tin and then add the meringue
The cooked meringue 
Now for the recipe:
4 egg whites
225g caster sugar
pinch cream of tartar
300ml whipping cream
1tsp vanilla extract
icing sugar for dusting
dark chocolate for decoration

1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC/180ºC Fan. Line a large baking sheet with baking parchment.
2. Whisk the egg whites with a pinch of cream of tartar until stiff. Add the sugar a teaspoon at a time, until the egg whites are stiff and glossy.
3. Spread the egg whites evenly on the lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes until golden. Remove from the oven and cool on a baking rack for 10 minutes.
4. Take a large sheet of baking parchment and dust with sifted icing sugar.  Turn the meringue over onto the baking parchment.  Remove the paper from the base of the meringue.
5. Whip the cream and vanilla extract to soft peaks.
6. Spread the cream over the meringue, roll the meringue from one of the long ends, using the parchment paper to help with the rolling. Dust with icing sugar.
7. Melt a few pieces of dark chocolate and drizzle over the meringue.
TIP: The cream of tartar helps stabilise the meringue and prevents weeping too.

Elderflower Infused Strawberries
200g fresh strawberries
1 tablespoon elderflower cordial
1 tablespoon caster sugar

1. Wash the strawberries.
2. Cut the strawberries into quarters.
3. Pour over the elderflower cordial, sprinkle over the caster sugar.
4. Mix together.
5. Cover and place in the fridge overnight.

The swiss roll tin I used measures 34x24x2 and is part of the range of The Bakers Dozen James Martin Bakeware by Stellar Cookware which I reviewed in a previous blog post.

Christmas Tree pop up Card

Friday 5 December 2014

Christmas Tree Card


In this Christmas card tutorial you will learn how to make a christmas pop up card,draw the template . This card is a very easy Xmas day card hand making that you will enjoy making.





Cards Pop Up Card - How To Make a Pop Up Xmas Tree CardPop Up Card - How To Make a Pop Up Tree Card 

Snowman Christmas Card

Snowman Christmas Card




Measurements: 
Red Hot Card Base- 4 1/4" X 11". scored at 5 1/2" and folded in half
Ivory Layer- 4" X 5 1/4"
Red Hot Smaller Layer- 3 5/8" X 3 7/8
Patterned Paper Layer- 3 1/2" X 3 3/4"
Scraps for Focal Image

Supplies:
Stamp Set- Snowman Wishes and Merry Tree Stamp Set Duos by Gina K. Designs
Card Stock- GKD Red Hot, Ivory 
Patterned Paper- GKD Merry Little Christmas
Ribbon- GKD Red Hot Gingham
Copic Markers, 1/4" pop dots, Spellbinders Classic Ovals Large, Sponge Dauber, Adhesive

Christmas card ideasChristmas craft ideas



Christmas Tree Cupcake Recipe [Updated]

Thursday 4 December 2014

Christmas dessert recipes - Christmas Tree cupcakes





How to make easy Christmas tree cupcakes. These are a great dessert for any Christmas party you're going to.

Items used in these Christmas tree cupcakes:

• cupcakes
• sugar ice cream cones
• green buttercream with Wilton tips 352 and 18
• white buttercream

• shredded coconut
• candy covered sunflower seeds
• star sprinkles


Procedure:

Using the white buttercream, cover the top of the cupcake. Dip the edges of the cupcake into the shredded coconut and press the sugar cone into place in the centre of the cupcake. Using the green buttercream, starting at the bottom, cover the sugar cone in "branches" using an elongated branch affect (stretching the tip by pulling out away from the cone). While the buttercream is still soft, add the chocolate covered sunflower seeds as lights around the tree and a star sprinkle on the top.


Christmas Tree Cupcake Recipe [Updated]






Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe For 2015

Christmas Dessert recipes - Cup Cakes


Learn how to make these Christmas tree cupcakes using ice cream cones and marshmallows. You can also use them as centerpieces or for trees in the front yard of a gingerbread house! These use the same technique as the chrysanthemum cupcakes that are popular all over the web. This is not a recipe but rather a how-to.

What you'll need To Make Christmas Tree Cupcakes:


  1. cupcakes - any flavor will do
  2. butter cream frosting 
  3. sugar cones for ice cream
  4. mini marshmallows (approximately 35-40 for each tree)
  5. jelly candy - I used Truly Fruit by Seneca



Cut the mini marshmallows in half, diagonally, and place into a zip top bag with green colored sugar. After a few are cut, shake bag to coat the cut portion of the marshmallows. Remove from the sugar and place into a bowl. Only do a few at a time so as to not let the cut marshmallow dry out in which case the sugar will not stick.
Take a sugar cone and coat with a thin layer of butter cream frosting. Layer the sugared marshmallows in rows, starting at the bottom, going around the cone with the flat side of the marshmallow in the frosting with the point facing down. Continue all the way up until the top (8-9 rows). Take a jelly candy and cut into the shape of a star and secure on the top of the tree with a dab of butter cream. Let dry 4-6 hours to firm up enough to handle.
Frost the top of a cupcake and carefully place the tree on top, slightly pushing down to secure the ice cream cone into the butter cream. Let set up a few more hours to make sure the tree is secure on the top of the cupcake. Enjoy!


Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe For 2014

Christmas Fruit Cake Recipe


Looking For Christmas cake recipes ?

Christmas fruit cake recipes?Christmas baking recipes ?


Here is a Christmas Cake with many cute Santas made from strawberries and cream! This is a very nice recipe with very nice taste and fun for making! I hope you can enjoy this recipe and have a HAPPY CHRISTMAS!


SIMPLE WHITE CAKE:

***Ingredients***
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup milk


***Directions***
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x9 inch pan or line a muffin pan with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Finally stir in the milk until batter is smooth. Pour or spoon batter into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven. For cupcakes, bake 20 to 25 minutes. Cake is done when it springs back to the touch.


STURDY WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING:

***Ingredients***
1 (8 ounce) package reduced-fat cream
cheese, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups heavy cream


***Directions***
1. Combine the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract and almond extract in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Fit the mixer with the whisk attachment and mix on medium speed until smooth. While the mixture is still whipping, slowly pour in the heavy cream. Stop and scrape the bottom of the bowl a couple of times while you continue whipping until the cream can hold a stiff peak.

Peppermint Candy Recipe For Christmas 2015

Wednesday 3 December 2014

Ingredients


  1. 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  2. 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk, divided
  3. 1 cup white baking chips
  4. 3 teaspoons peppermint extract
  5. 2 to 3 drops green food coloring


Directions For Pepper Mint Candy Recipe


  1. In a small saucepan, melt chocolate chips with 3/4 cup condensed milk over low heat, stirring occasionally. Line an 8-in.-square dish with waxed paper; butter the paper.
  2. Spread half of melted chocolate mixture into pan; chill for 5-10 minutes (let remaining melted chocolate mixture stand at room temperature).
  3. In another saucepan, melt white baking chips. Stir in remaining condensed milk until smooth. Remove from the heat; add extract and food coloring. Refrigerate until set. Spread over chocolate layer; spread with reserved chocolate mixture. Refrigerate until set. Cut into 1-in. pieces. Yield: about 1-1/2 pounds (64 pieces).


Top 10 Christmas Decoration Ideas For 2015 Everyone Must See

Top 10 Christmas Decoration Ideas For 2014 Everyone Must See

Top 10 Christmas Decoration Ideas For 2014 Everyone Must See

Top 10 Christmas Decoration Ideas For 2014 Everyone Must See

Top 10 Christmas Decoration Ideas For 2014 Everyone Must See

Top 10 Christmas Decoration Ideas For 2014 Everyone Must See

Top 10 Christmas Decoration Ideas For 2014 Everyone Must See

Top 10 Christmas Decoration Ideas For 2014 Everyone Must See

Top 10 Christmas Decoration Ideas For 2014 Everyone Must See

Top 10 Christmas Decoration Ideas For 2014 Everyone Must See

Top 10 Christmas Decoration Ideas For 2014 Everyone Must See

10 Facebook Covers For Christmas Everyone Must See

10 Facebook Covers For Christmas Everyone Must See

10 Facebook Covers For Christmas Everyone Must See

10 Facebook Covers For Christmas Everyone Must See

10 Facebook Covers For Christmas Everyone Must See

10 Facebook Covers For Christmas Everyone Must See

10 Facebook Covers For Christmas Everyone Must See

10 Facebook Covers For Christmas Everyone Must See

10 Facebook Covers For Christmas Everyone Must See

10 Facebook Covers For Christmas Everyone Must See

10 Facebook Covers For Christmas Everyone Must See

Top 20 Christmas Greetings To Wish Your Friends

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year when we celebrate faith, family, and the tradition of giving gifts and sending greeting cards. Sending out Christmas greetings is an easy way to reach friends, family, and even old acquaintances with the warmth and love of Christmas.

Mailing or emailing Christmas cards to your friends is a great way to show them you care and are thinking of them during this important time of year. 
Buy a set of cards, make a list, and make sure you send warm wishes to everyone on your list. It’s a great opportunity to let people you now you care about them. The following are 20 messages that can be sent to those special people in our lives:


  • Christmas brings family and friends together. It helps us appreciate the love in our lives we often take for granted. May the true meaning of the holiday season fill your heart and home with many blessings.


  • May this holiday season sparkle and shine. May all your wishes and dreams come true and may you feel this happiness all year round.


  • During this season of giving let us take time to slow down and enjoy the simple things. May this wonderful time of year touch your heart in a special way. Wishing you much happiness today and throughout the New Year.


  • Having you as my friend makes me feel as if it is Christmas all year round. The warmth and comfort that comes with this season reminds me of you.


  • May the message of Christmas fill your life with joy and peace. Best wishes to you and your family during this holiday season.


  • Wishing you peace, joy, and all the best the holiday has to offer. May this incredible time of giving and spending time with family bring you joy that lasts throughout the year.


  • Take time during the rush of the holidays to enjoy the things in life that really matter. Take time to take in the quite moments spent with friends and loved ones. And may the wonder of Christmas surround you throughout the season.


  • During this time of faith and family may the true meaning of Christmas provide you with joy. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.


  • As you celebrate the miracle of this special season may your heart be filled with joy and peace. May blessings of the holiday linger in your home and stay with you throughout the year.


  • The warmth and love surrounding Christmas is a joy to be savored with family and friends. It is a time to give and share with one another. Here’s wishing you the best the season has to offer.


  • Christmas time is a season of great joy. It is a time of remembering the past and hoping for the future. May the glorious message of peace and love fill you with joy during this wonderful season.


  • This time of year brings festivity and family fun. It is a time for remembering and looking forward. Wishing you wonderful memories during this joyous season.

    Top Christmas Greetings and Wishes

  • During this Christmas season may you enjoy the message of hope, love, and peace on earth. May all the blessings of the holiday be yours to keep. Here’s wishing you a Merry Christmas.


  • This is the season for bright lights and shiny packages. It is a time for sharing love and being together. It is a time for wishing you and your family all the best.


  • The meaning of Christmas is held in our hearts and shared with family and friends. I’m sending you messages of faith and hope for a beautiful holiday season.


  • During the miraculous time that is Christmas may you see with the eyes of a child, experience the wonder of love, and truly enjoy all that the season has to offer.


  • It’s the time of year when loved ones gather together. It is a special time of being thankful for all of the wonderful blessings in our lives. I’m sending you good wishes and the hope that your holiday will be a joyous one.


  • The glory and beauty of this wonderful season is something we all can share together. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.


  • This time of year brings to mind those things in life that are most important. It reminds us to focus on all the good things around us. Wishing warm greetings for you and your family during this holiday.


  • As you celebrate the glory of this miraculous season, may your home be filled with love, peace, and joy. May these blessings follow you throughout the New Year.

25 Games You Can Play In Christmas Party 2015

25 Games You Can Play In Christmas Party
Whether you are having a Christmas party with family and friends or an office party with co-workers, here's a list of games that will add some fun to your celebration.

1. Fill the Christmas stocking. Divide into teams and have the participants race to fill their team's hanging stocking with a spoonful of wrapped candy.

2. Christmas gift wrap relay. Set up assembly lines of gifts, boxes, scissors, wrapping paper, ribbon, and tape for each team. Either have each player wrap one gift or make an assembly line of workers. Then race to wrap!

3. Word Find. Using Christmas words—Christmas, Poinsettia, Candy cane, etc.—have each person make as many smaller words from it as possible before the timer runs out.

4. Christmas Carol Charades. Get dramatic! You can’t beat this crowd pleaser, as it is sure to bring the laughs.

5. Photo booth. Provide silly props and backdrops for guests to use to get silly in front of a photographer (keep in mind it doesn't have to be a professional).

6. Two truths and a lie. This is a great ice breaker! Each person tells two stories about themselves, two of which are true and one that is not. A great Christmas twist is to name their three worst Christmas gifts; two would be true and one would be false.

7. Snowman building contest. Judge on speed or originality.

8. Snowman wrapping contest. Wrap a person as a snowman in toilet paper and decorate. First or best one wins.

9. Snowball throwing contest. Make a large bulls-eye in the snow with food coloring from spray bottles. Indicate points for each circle of the target, like in darts or shuffleboard. Everyone makes the same amount of snowballs and throws for points.

10. Decorate a person as a Christmas tree. Using green crepe paper, ornaments, tinsel—whatever you can find—decorate your “tree”. First or best one wins.$ Christmas holiday party class pet volunteer sign up
11. Pin the red nose on Rudolph. The Christmas version of Pin the Tail on the Donkey.

12. Build an ice sculpture. Freeze colored water ahead of time in ice-cube trays, jello molds and yogurt containers. Place all materials on outdoor tables and have participants build sculptures or totem poles or whatever else you designate.

13. Ornament guess. Have guests guess the total number of ornaments on the tree as they come into the party. The closest guess wins.

14. Christmas stocking guessing game. Fill a large stocking with items around the house and let the kids guess what items are in the stocking.

15. Christmas memory game. Put Christmas items on a tray and give people one minute to memorize the items. Take the tray away and have them write as many down as they can remember in 30 seconds.

16. Holiday ABC's. Give each child or team a piece of paper with the alphabet written vertically from A to Z. Have them write a holiday word that starts with each letter. The first one to complete the list wins.

17. The night before Christmas. Give each person the name of some part of Santa Claus' outfit—sleigh, reindeer, belly, etc. As the host reads “The Night Before Christmas”, each participant listens for his word and when he hears it, he stands up, turns around and sits down. When the host mentions Santa Claus, everyone changes places and participants try to get a seat. The one left out continues the story until it is complete.

18. Name that carol. Make a list of lyrics from songs that only provides 3-4 words from each song (not the title). The person who names all - or the most  - songs in a certain amount of time wins.

19. Christmas dice gift exchange. Have everyone sit in a circle and start with a gift. Play a Christmas carol while 1-3 dice are being passed around (space them out). Each person rolls and passes the dice. If they roll a six, they can trade packages with whomever they want. At the end of the song, everyone keeps the package in front of him or her.

20. Christmas gift fact exchange. Number each gift as it arrives. Give the person who brought the gift a corresponding number. Have them write a little known fact about themselves and throw it into a bowl. When gift exchange starts, the host draws a fact and reads it without mentioning the package number. The person who guesses who it is first is given the package with the corresponding number. Once someone guesses correctly, they are out of the game. The game ends when there is one gift left for the host.

21. Gift hot potato. Pass around one unwrapped gift at a time. When the music stops, whoever holds it is out of the game, keeping the gift they are holding.

22. Themed gift exchange. Pick a theme for gifts to be exchanged. Everyone brings a $25 gift with that theme in mind. (example: gifts that begin with M, gifts that are red, etc). Then play the traditional take a number, steal the present game. Holiday Christmas class party volunteer sign up form
23. Get what you really want gift game. Have each person bring a wrapped gift for himself. Gifts are all mixed up and passed out. Everyone opens one gift, then must guess who bought it. Have a list of everyone at the party so people can write down their guesses. Whoever has the most correct guesses wins. To spice it up, have everyone donate $1 to the pot. The winner gets the pot.

24. Birth year gifts. Before drawing names, have everyone write down the year they were born. When you buy for that person you drew, buy a gift relating to the year they were born. Be creative!

25. Christmas tie game. Use those old Christmas or ugly ties to have some fun. Give each team of two a tie. Using only one hand one person must tie his partner's tie. First one done wins.

No matter what holiday games your group decides to play, remember the point is to let go and have fun. Strive for good sportsmanship and have a sense of humor! After all, embracing the holiday spirit is the true name of the game.