Archive for December 2015

New Years Resolutions!

16:12 by Unknown 0 Comments A⁺ a^-

First off, i hope everyone has had an amazing Christmas with their family and friends and got spoilt rotten!

Now, every year i set myself new years resolutions, mostly to loose weight, although that never happens (i like food too much). But this year i am determined to see my resolutions through!!

I have only set myself two this year so they should be pretty reasonable and easy to achieve.

Be more organised - im my personal life and blogging aswell
Work out more - instead of being unrealistic to myself and try and loose weight. Hopefully i can get into a workout routine

What are your New Year Resolutions? Do you ever achieve the ones you set yourself?

See you next year!!

Mince parcels!

20:17 by Unknown 0 Comments A⁺ a^-

Mince parcels!

Ingredients

Well I just used shortcrust pastry mix (I'm a cheat)

But to make a shortcrust pastry you need

225g plain flour

100g butter

Pinch salt

Water

For the filling

Mincemeat

1egg White to wash over

Method

1. Sidt the flour into a large bowl add the butter and using your fingertips rub together to make breadcrumbs. Stir in the salt. Add water until the mixture starts to form a firm dough. Put in the fridge for 20mins.

2. Pre heat overnight to 200C

3. Cut the dough in half and roll out each section so they are both the same size.

4. Place small heaps of mincemeat all over one half of the two dough pieces.

5. Using your egg white brush around the mincemeat this will help the top layer stick.

6. Place the remaining dough on top and press around the shape of the mincemeat. Using cookie cutters, cut out little parcels.

7. Using your fingers press down around the edges to ensure pastry is stuck together. Place on baking tray and using a knife score little lines around the rim of the parcels to make them look better. Make sure you cut a cross on top to let the steam escape.

8. Bake in oven for 15-20mins, allow to cool then serve.

What do you love to bake at Christmas? Not long to go now!

Homemade Gingerbread!

15:37 by Unknown 0 Comments A⁺ a^-

So as its the festive season i thought what a perfect time it is to make gingerbread. It can be a fun activity to do with your kids or family and friends. You can let your imagination run wild whilst decorating them and maybe you could even leave one out for Santa! Here is the recipe i used:

Ingredients

350g plain flour, plus extra for rolling out
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
125g butter
175g light soft brown sugar
1 free range egg
4 tbsp golden syrup

To decorate

writing icing
cake decorations

Method

Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon into a bowl, add butter and using your fingers rub the mixture together to make breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar.
Lightly beat the egg and golden syrup together then add to the breadcrumb mixture. Mix till it forms a dough, wrap it in cling film and put it in the fridge for 15 mins.
Preheat oven to 180C/gas4. Line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.
Roll the dough out to a 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Using cookie cutters cut out shapes and place on baking tray making sure to leave a gap between.
Bake for 12-15mins or until lightly golden brown. Leave to cool then decorate.

Send me a picture of your gingerbread id love to see your creations. What do you love to bake at Christmas?

Christmas time in Bruges

13:46 by Unknown 0 Comments A⁺ a^-

Me, my Mum, my Dad and their friend Pauline went to Bruges on a 'mini cruise' mainly to see the Christmas markets. Apart from me finding out that im sea sick we had a fab time. So i thought id share with you a few snaps i took along the way.