Christmas baking/cooking thread.

17-11-2018 10:37am

now online wrote: »

Yes you do, it's cumbersome but I still do it!

Ah, to be young and fit! As Peig once said “I am an old woman now, with one foot in the grave and the other on its edge”

OUTDOORLASS · 17-11-2018 11:59am

I saw Catherine Lyden, Odlums Queen of Baking, so the oven method of pudding cooking on
TV3 last Weds.....It looked easy, but you would have a fairly heavy and hot load going into
oven. Still to make mine... We were in my sisters during the week, and we were discussing favourite things to eat. My other half said it was Christmas Pudding, to which my sister said,
and your wife does.nt even make you one. Shame on me...LOL.....
I have a mix for 2 cakes marinading nicely... I.m going to line the tin over the weekend, and
when I have half an hour to spare I.l throw it together next week and get them done. One each day. Looking forward to the nice smell in the house.

Icsics · 17-11-2018 8:56pm

OUTDOORLASS wrote: »

I saw Catherine Lyden, Odlums Queen of Baking, so the oven method of pudding cooking on
TV3 last Weds.....It looked easy, but you would have a fairly heavy and hot load going into
oven. Still to make mine... We were in my sisters during the week, and we were discussing favourite things to eat. My other half said it was Christmas Pudding, to which my sister said,
and your wife does.nt even make you one. Shame on me...LOL.....
I have a mix for 2 cakes marinading nicely... I.m going to line the tin over the weekend, and
when I have half an hour to spare I.l throw it together next week and get them done. One each day. Looking forward to the nice smell in the house.

Am a novice to Christmas cake baking, so looking for tips! How long & what do u marinade (dried fruit?) in ? Thanks

17-11-2018 9:17pm

Icsics wrote: »

Am a novice to Christmas cake baking, so looking for tips! How long & what do u marinade (dried fruit?) in ? Thanks

I use juice and rind of an orange and lemon plus a glass of whiskey.

Icsics · 17-11-2018 10:24pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I use juice and rind of an orange and lemon plus a glass of whiskey.

Thanks Maryanne, for how long?

17-11-2018 10:41pm

Icsics wrote: »

Thanks Maryanne, for how long?

Anything from a few hours to a few days. If it’s days, leave in fridge. The smell in the house will be amazing.

Posy · 18-11-2018 3:47pm

I leave my Christmas cake fruit soak overnight in an airtight container in whiskey, golden syrup, the juice and rind of an orange and a lemon, a grated apple and nutmeg, cinnamon and mixed spice. It smells fabulous the next morning!

18-11-2018 6:31pm

Posy wrote: »

I leave my Christmas cake fruit soak overnight in an airtight container in whiskey, golden syrup, the juice and rind of an orange and a lemon, a grated apple and nutmeg, cinnamon and mixed spice. It smells fabulous the next morning!

I swear I can smell this just from reading it!! Mmmmmmm smells like Christmas!!!

Jude13 · 19-11-2018 7:48am

We made the Jamie Oliver mulled wine at the weekend whilst decorating. I had to double up on some ingredient as they were not achieving the right flavour, a year in the press will do that I think.

OUTDOORLASS · 19-11-2018 10:17am

I do what I suppose you.r not supposed to do. I put the fruit, rind/juice of orange and lemon, grated cooking apple, spices,
and plenty of whiskey into a bowl and mix well. I.v left them in bowl for up to a week, until I.v half an hour to put together.
I.v always thought, that with the booze in the mix it wont go off..... The smell from the bowl is now amazing and the fruit
is gloriously plumped and juicy now. Aim to bake tomorrow.

OUTDOORLASS · 20-11-2018 9:04pm

Baked one of my Christmas cakes today....the smell is just devine in the house. Plan to do the 2nd one tomorrow.

melsmum · 28-11-2018 9:20am

now online wrote: »

For those of you yet to make you're Christmas puddings, I stream mine overnight in the oven.

Method:

Wrap your puddings firstly in cling film, ( lid on pudding bowl )
Wrap it again in tin foil.
Boil the kettle
Preheat oven
Stand your puddings in your deep oven tray
Half fill tray with boiling water.
Seal the tray completely with tin foil.

When I take up the puddings the water is still in the tray because it's comepletely sealed.
Perfect no fuss pudding!

I'm late to the Christmas baking party!
I've always done Christmas puddings in a slow cooker! You prepare them the same as if you were going to boil them on the cooker, cover in greaseproof and foil, pre heat the slow cooker, put the pudding in and fill the cooker with boiling water to about 2/3 of the way up the pudding bowl. Cook it on high. You might have to top up the water once during cooking, so keep an eye on it when it's been going for a few hours.

28-11-2018 10:20am

melsmum wrote: »

I'm late to the Christmas baking party!
I've always done Christmas puddings in a slow cooker! You prepare them the same as if you were going to boil them on the cooker, cover in greaseproof and foil, pre heat the slow cooker, put the pudding in and fill the cooker with boiling water to about 2/3 of the way up the pudding bowl. Cook it on high. You might have to top up the water once during cooking, so keep an eye on it when it's been going for a few hours.

I’ve actually done this but cooked on low. No need to top up and perfectly cooked pub after 8 hours.

now online · 28-11-2018 10:30am

4oz flour
4oz brown sugar
2oz ground almonds
12oz breadcrumbs
8oz cherries
4oz mixed peel
1 bag sultanaa
1 bag curr
1 bag raisins
2 tsp mixed spices
2 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp cinnamon
peel of an orange
pinch of salt
chopped apple and carrot (optional)
5 eggs
1/2 pint stout
1/2 glass whiskey/brandy
227g marg melted and cooled
juice of an orange

method
mix all wet ingredients together
mix all dry ingredients
combine both
makes 2x2 pint pudding or 1 large

cover with grease proof paper
wrap in tinfoil
place in oven dish
boil water and fill 3/4 ways up oven dish
cover whole oven tray in tinfoil effectively trapping in the boiling water (steaming)
place in bottom tray of your oven
cook for 7 hours gas 2 140 conventional for 7 hours (overnight)

This is what I'm doing for the last 15 years, I never leave the fruit to soak and it's the tastiest moistest pudding!
I'd love if someone would try this method and let me know what they think?

CheerLouth · 28-11-2018 10:46am

now online wrote: »

4oz flour
4oz brown sugar
2oz ground almonds
12oz breadcrumbs
8oz cherries
4oz mixed peel
1 bag sultanaa
1 bag curr
1 bag raisins
2 tsp mixed spices
2 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp cinnamon
peel of an orange
pinch of salt
chopped apple and carrot (optional)
5 eggs
1/2 pint stout
1/2 glass whiskey/brandy
227g marg melted and cooled
juice of an orange

method
mix all wet ingredients together
mix all dry ingredients
combine both
makes 2x2 pint pudding or 1 large

cover with grease proof paper
wrap in tinfoil
place in oven dish
boil water and fill 3/4 ways up oven dish
cover whole oven tray in tinfoil effectively trapping in the boiling water (steaming)
place in bottom tray of your oven
cook for 7 hours gas 2 140 conventional for 7 hours (overnight)

This is what I'm doing for the last 15 years, I never leave the fruit to soak and it's the tastiest moistest pudding!
I'd love if someone would try this method and let me know what they think?

What is curr? I've never heard of it!

28-11-2018 10:50am

CheerLouth wrote: »

What is curr? I've never heard of it!

I’d imagine currants. I never use them. Too gritty for my liking. There’s a lot of spices in that recipe and no almonds.

now online · 28-11-2018 10:56am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I’d imagine currants. I never use them. Too gritty for my liking. There’s a lot of spices in that recipe and no almonds.

Yes , it should read currants!
There is almonds 2oz of ground.
I sometimes substitute the currants for mixed fruit.

Just putting it out there in case anyone wanted a recipe. ( originally odlums from way back)

CheerLouth · 28-11-2018 10:56am

Oh yeah, that would make sense lol

Loughc · 07-12-2018 8:55pm

Just leaving this here

http://irishbakingadventures.com/mini-baileys-chocolate-cheesecakes/

ChewChew · 08-12-2018 12:29pm

Those cheese cakes look amazing!!!

I'm making all my puddings this weekend (so late, I know!) And it's the first time I've attempted a gluten free one so fingers crossed it turns out well.

hairyprincess · 08-12-2018 3:59pm

Has anyone got a Christmas cake recipe they want to share? I made these last year and they were beautiful but not sure will the recipe transfer to a cake.

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/72622/christmas-cupcakes

08-12-2018 4:18pm

hairyprincess wrote: »

Has anyone got a Christmas cake recipe they want to share? I made these last year and they were beautiful but not sure will the recipe transfer to a cake.

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/72622/christmas-cupcakes

One packet each raisins and sultanas
Small tub each peel and cherries, chopped.
Small packed flaked almonds
One small cooking apple grated
Rind and juice of an orange and a lemon
Large glass whiskey, brandy or any other similar alcohol
Marinade the above overnight or a few days.

Cream 8 ozs butter or margarine with 8 ozs light brown sugar
Add in 4 or 5 eggs one at a time (You could alternate with flour)
Fold in small packet ground almonds, 8 ozs flour and teaspoon mixed spice.
Combine with fruit

Either put all mixture in a 10” lined cake tin or divide into 2 smaller loaf tins

For single cake, bake in preheated oven as follows
1/2 hour at 160
1 1/2 hours at 150
If needed a further half hour at 140. Until skewer comes out clean

Cool slightly in tin
Turn out onto wire tray
Following day, pierce with skewer and pour tablespoon of whiskey over. Wrap in grease proof paper then tinfoil and store in cool, dark, dry place.

Toto Wolfcastle · 09-12-2018 1:18am

I've been sick and busy and tired for what seems like weeks but I finally got around to making chilli jam today. Next on the list is chocolates, probably filled with salted caramel, and I'll make up a jar of gingerbread man ingredients for my boss's kids.

CheerLouth · 16-09-2019 11:15am

Made 8 jars of Mincemeat over the weekend - roll on my mince pies!!!!!

xDisneyDivax · 16-09-2019 11:29am

CheerLouth wrote: »

Made 8 jars of Mincemeat over the weekend - roll on my mince pies!!!!!

I need to do this asap!! And I'm late!! I did it in July last year because I had a baby coming in August. It dried up closer to Christmas though so will be sure to use plenty brandy this time! Or what do you do to prevent that happening?

CheerLouth · 16-09-2019 12:03pm

xDisneyDivax wrote: »

I need to do this asap!! And I'm late!! I did it in July last year because I had a baby coming in August. It dried up closer to Christmas though so will be sure to use plenty brandy this time! Or what do you do to prevent that happening?

I used whiskey instead of brandy but my recipe does say that if it dries up, you can just mix another bit of whiskey/brandy into it & it'll be grand.

freshpopcorn · 16-09-2019 2:43pm

It's probably just fear mongering but they said if Brexit happens they could be a shortage of flour. So, it might be handy to stock up!

16-09-2019 3:46pm

freshpopcorn wrote: »

It's probably just fear mongering but they said if Brexit happens they could be a shortage of flour. So, it might be handy to stock up!

Feck. I’d better head out and stock up on flour, brandy, raisins, brandy, sultanas, brandy, peel, brandy, almonds, brandy, cherries, brandy......

otnomart · 16-09-2019 5:35pm

Fair play Cheerlouth !

RE: Flour
I used to buy Odlums bread mixes when I was in Ireland, I thought they were an Irish company ?

leahyl · 16-09-2019 6:30pm

freshpopcorn wrote: »

It's probably just fear mongering but they said if Brexit happens they could be a shortage of flour. So, it might be handy to stock up!

My mum picked up about 3 bags each of plain flour and self raising the other day - think she was listening to the same news report as you! :-D

freshpopcorn · 16-09-2019 6:37pm

leahyl wrote: »

My mum picked up about 3 bags each of plain flour and self raising the other day - think she was listening to the same news report as you! :-D

It was my mother who told me!

tscul32 · 16-09-2019 8:34pm

Have stocked up too. Still to get the fruit for cake, puds and mincemeat.
Anyone care to share what cookies they make as presents for others? I usually make shortbread and oat cranberry choc chip cookies. Also make a few cakes to give away along with mince pies and puddings (slow cooker overnight on low). Will get cracking in early October, can't wait.

16-09-2019 8:43pm

tscul32 wrote: »

Have stocked up too. Still to get the fruit for cake, puds and mincemeat.
Anyone care to share what cookies they make as presents for others? I usually make shortbread and oat cranberry choc chip cookies. Also make a few cakes to give away along with mince pies and puddings (slow cooker overnight on low). Will get cracking in early October, can't wait.

This is a favorite of my family, but needs eating in a day or so.
One pack puff pastry
One jar mince, bought or homemade
One grated apple
Unroll pastry and spread with mince topped with grated apple.
Roll up and slice into half inch slices
Turn on side and place on baking tray, separated well.
Bake in hot oven for about 15 minutes.
Cool on wire tray, dust with icing sugar. Enjoy!

tscul32 · 16-09-2019 8:55pm

Have made those mince meat spirals before, they're so quick and easy. Every year I say I'll make my own mincemeat but usually end up buying it, haven't actually made it in years. But an easy alternative is a good jar and then add whatever to it - cranberry and port, apple and brandy, choc chips and whiskey, ginger, etc..
I also make mince pies with grated chilled pastry on top or sometimes frangipane or a nice citrus crumble - depends on when I run out of pastry ðŸ˜€

16-09-2019 9:04pm

tscul32 wrote: »

Have made those mince meat spirals before, they're so quick and easy. Every year I say I'll make my own mincemeat but usually end up buying it, haven't actually made it in years. But an easy alternative is a good jar and then add whatever to it - cranberry and port, apple and brandy, choc chips and whiskey, ginger, etc..
I also make mince pies with grated chilled pastry on top or sometimes frangipane or a nice citrus crumble - depends on when I run out of pastry &#55357;&#56832;

There’s food for thought there! How would you make the citrus crumble?

tscul32 · 16-09-2019 9:07pm

Maryanne84 - just a standard crumble with lemon or orange zest. I sometimes add oats in the mix or sprinkle flaked almonds on top. Anything goes really for mince pies if you've a good pastry for the case.
And mini ones are lovely and bite sized, I do them in a silicon tray so no risk of not getting them out intact.

B0jangles · 17-09-2019 8:33am

I started making candied peel last year and will definitely be doing it again this year - it's really really easy and the result tastes AMAZING - intensely orangey, slightly bitter and deliciously sweet. If you dip them in melted dark chocolate afterwards, they are even better, and are perfect to give in a fancy box as a christmas present.

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/candied-citrus-peel

Couple of things to note - make a large batch; it's fairly time-consuming no matter what you do, so you might as well make a lot. Aldi have lovely oranges at the moment, you get 1.5 kg for only 49c. What I do is badger everyone around me to eat oranges (and peel them neatly!) and then store up the peels in the fridge for a few days

and then put aside an afternoon to actually make the stuff. It's very easy but it takes a good while and obviously you don't want to leave a pot of simmering sugar syrup unattended, so you'll need to be close by.

edit: the recipe says it keeps for a month in the fridge, but I've had some stored in the freezer since last year and its still fine. It dries out slightly but that's no problem since it's easier to handle when it's a bit drier and it doesn't affect the taste.

CheerLouth · 17-09-2019 10:16am

otnomart wrote: »

RE: Flour
I used to buy Odlums bread mixes when I was in Ireland, I thought they were an Irish company ?

I think they are but flour is no longer milled in Ireland, we buy it from the UK

chuckles30 · 17-09-2019 11:58am

Ah lads....me mouth is actually watering for mince pies here!!

I've a couple of bags of plain flour bought already - just in case!! I have a few apple tarts to make for an event next weekend, so once I have the pastry made for that, I will see what is left.....might pick up another couple then. From now on, I normally throw the odd pack or two of fruit, sugar etc into the weekly shop - that way I don't have one massive shop to do nearer the time when I decide to go baking. My only problem then is storing it once I get it home!!

chuckles30 · 17-09-2019 11:58am

Deleted User wrote: »

This is a favorite of my family, but needs eating in a day or so.
One pack puff pastry
One jar mince, bought or homemade
One grated apple
Unroll pastry and spread with mince topped with grated apple.
Roll up and slice into half inch slices
Turn on side and place on baking tray, separated well.
Bake in hot oven for about 15 minutes.
Cool on wire tray, dust with icing sugar. Enjoy!

This sounds amazing - will definitely be trying this one out!!

Neyite · 17-09-2019 12:30pm

I've done some of the preserves. Next weekend might be blackberry jam if I have time to go picking them and chilli jam. I love the taste of blackberry but hate the seeds so doing it myself I can sieve them out.

More and more I'm prepping my Christmas stuff from scratch - so the trifle is done from scratch, as are cakes, ice-cream, stocks, gravy etc and I try to not use jarred/tinned stuff if there a fresh option. I'm only creating more work for myself but I love it.

I already heard about the brexit/flour issue so I've stocked up a bag but I think I'll add more store-cupboard items as well just in case.

tscul32 · 17-09-2019 12:36pm

That's what I love about Christmas cooking/baking, it really motivates me to do as much as possible from scratch. I do as much as possible in advance and use the freezer. Pastry, stock, cookie dough, butterscotch sauce, stuffings...

Neyite · 17-09-2019 12:48pm

This year's new entry will be gingerbread dough for the freezer so we can make and decorate a house on Christmas Eve.

Between Gingerbread and Spiced Beef simmering and the mulled wine in the slow cooker my house will smell amazing that day!

CheerLouth · 17-09-2019 1:39pm

I've just gone through one freezer to see what is in it in preparation for the Great Defrost of 2019! Want to have ample space in both freezers for Christmas produce!

Jude13 · 18-09-2019 7:57am

I've been pushing for a chest freezer a while now. Even just for ice.

CheerLouth · 18-09-2019 9:28am

Don't get a chest freezer, my mam has one, you can never find a thing in it, everything is piled on top of the other. Under counter freezer with drawers is your only man!

freshpopcorn · 18-09-2019 10:21am

CheerLouth wrote: »

Don't get a chest freezer, my mam has one, you can never find a thing in it, everything is piled on top of the other. Under counter freezer with drawers is your only man!

I was going to say the opposite.
We had a freezer with drawers and found it useless to store Turkeys or more bulky boxy items.

CheerLouth · 18-09-2019 10:33am

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I was going to say the opposite.
We had a freezer with drawers and found it useless to store Turkeys or more bulky boxy items.

True, there is that element.

otnomart · 18-09-2019 5:15pm

In my family home, we have a (full-high stand alone) freezer with drawers and are very happy with it (don't have the space for a chest freezer anyway) - we wouldn't freeze anything too bulky anyway, as we never cooked a whole turkey.
In my own flat, I only have a small fridge with the ice box, but I adjusted my habits accoridingly and manage to stuff all I need into it.

freshpopcorn · 04-10-2019 3:09pm

Aldi has a 99 liter chest freezer in stock on Sunday 13th for €129.99.
It's a handy enough size. Bigger than the Currys 60 litre one for €109.00.
They are also a lot more Aldi stores around and they'd be no delivery charges.
There's also a 3 year warranty often with cheaper items you only get 1 or 2 years.

Christmas baking/cooking thread.

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