Cookery Book Club December - Nigella Christmas and any other Christmas themed cookbook

[Pantah630]

New thread, thought I'd better start it early so we can all get ahead. I can't decide on my other book yet, might pick and chose from the others. I have the WI Complete Christmas, Delia's Christmas and Hairy a Bikers 12 Days of Christmas, just in case anyone can recommend some good recipes to try.

[ScienceRocks]

Marking spot...

[Barbeasty]

Am I allowed to start my cooking early?

I made Nigella's gingerbread today, which smells lovely and the bit I picked at tasted good. But it has lots of little pockets of unmixed flour. Lots and lots of tiny bits. Any ideas why?

I made Mary Berry's cheesy soufflé bites, but they've gone straight in the freezer so I don't know what they taste like.

I'll be making Nigella's white chocolate and cranberry cookies, and some Mary Berry mince pies later in the week too.

[Pantah630]

It's never too early for Christmas cooking it is for decorations in this house mind

Just dug my copy out while waiting for my sofrito to cook down, chilli on the go, all I can think is that you didn't whisk the batter up enough, it doesn't say to sieve flour first. I've never made it, I might now though.

[Barbeasty]

It's worth it. Now I've actually had a proper piece, the flour is all just at the top, 90% of each piece is perfect. Maybe adding the liquid slower might work better- I'll have to make some more to see and use up the tin of treacle

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

If that's the same gingerbread that's in Domestic Goddess, I had the same issue first time I made it. I sieved the flour second time and was a bit more careful about mixing and it was much better.

Gorgeous tasting cake, had plenty of compliments about it. Will probably make a batch for our Christmas Fair next weekend.

[Cocochops]

Signing in. Kilner jrs have arrived and am planning on making Nigellas Christmas chutney and her chilli jam this weekend. May now make gingerbread too.

Getting confused about sterilising the jars though. They are clip ones with the orange rubber seal. I want to sterilise in dishwasher but everywhere I read says remove the seal and sterilise that in boiling water but then to put it back on you are going to have to touch it and the sterilised jars which surely contaminates them again? Any preserving experts out there to advise?!

I am also cooking a turkey this year first time ever so whose turkey recipe do we all rate?

[Pantah630]

The last time I cooked turkey for Christmas I did it Nigella's way, in brine overnight. It was really moist and delicious. We've had Christmas dinner at MIL for last couple of years so I've not needed to bother with turkey. Thinking of doing one on NYE instead this year.

[Pantah630]

Bugger, forgot about the kilner jars. I don't have a dishwasher is use the old fashioned method, wash in hot soppy water and dry out in the oven if it's for something I want/need to keep for months. If it's for less than I clean again in hot soppy water, rinse, fit rings, half fill with boiling water and seal, then turn them and shake, carefully in case any water escapes and burns your hand and drain when I'm ready to fill. I did it this way when I made the salted caramel and apple sauce as I know it won't last long.

[glorious]

Hello all. DH is making lebkuchen tomorrow but they're not from a Christmas book as such. I'm going to try some chutney for extra presents.

Need to pick Nigella up from the library.

[Cocochops]

Right have sorted out my sterilising dithering and have made the chilli jam and Xmas chutney. Will keep a couple and give the rest as presents. Will try the chilli jam this week. Very easy to make but the kitchen did stink of vinegar for a few days!

I like the sound of Nigellas turkey BUT I don't have a garage or somewhere cold to keep it. I know she mentions outside but surely the foxes will get it! Pretty sure it would go off just being in a bucket in he kitchen anyone done this?

[Pantah630]

If you put it outside, cover, then put a heavy weight on top. Should be fine then.
I'm thinking of doing the Christmas mincemeat today and gingerbread, and possibly the Clementine Cake from another Nigella book.

[Pantah630]

Gingerbread is in the oven, white chocolate and cranberry cookies just cooling sans pecans at request of DS1 and Christmas mincemeat cooked and jarred. That's it I can relax for a while now

[madamecake]

Can I rejoin? Ds has finally started sleeping better at night so I have more energy to cook!

I have nigella Christmas and Delia's happy Christmas and I'm loving looking through both of them, so just need to decide what to make.

[glorious]

Welcome back madame. Can you get my DD to sleep too?

How were the cookies pantah , they sound good.

[Pantah630]

Hi madame welcome back. :)

glorious cookies were delicious! only issue is the spreadage and they all ended up joined together. Think I'd put less on a sheet next time. there'll definitely be a next time

[ScienceRocks]

I love those biscuits Pantah!

[BarHumbugBeasty]

I found that with the biscuits too. But they break apart without any problems as they cool.

I'm still eating my gingerbread that I made last week, and it's still really moist. Must find time to make a batch and freeze for Christmas.

[ScienceRocks]

I need inspiration and wondered if you lot could help. I need to make a cake for dd1's school Christmas fair. It has to be handed in on Friday (so made on thursday) but last until Saturday. Has to be portable (I do the school run on foot) but attractive and not cost the earth to make. I have the usual ingredients, and various cake tins including disposable tray bake tins.

Any ideas?

[Pantah630]

You could do the gingerbread and sprinkle with icing sugar through a doily to make it pretty. Mine's still nice and moist, made on Sunday, so lasting isn't a problem.

[Suttonmum1]

Barbeasty, I have made Mary berry's cheesy souffle bites for the last few years and I love them.

[Suttonmum1]

I often make own mincemeat but this year I have a large jar of Morrison's cheapest and have added anything appropriate I had to hand - the last bits of packets of dates & raisins, some almonds, peel & juice from satsumas & lemon and a large glug of brandy. Now tastes as good as the Delia one I usually do.

[ELR]

sutton I like your idea of chucking in all the odds and ends to make a more interesting mince meat!

[ScienceRocks]

Sutton, that's what I do - pimp supermarket mincemeat with grated apple and booze. I have no idea what it tastes like as I can't stand the stuff (I have an emotional allergy to dried fruit) but it always goes down well!

Pantah, thanks for the gingerbread recommendation. I have some golden syrup that needs using so it is perfect!

[glorious]

I have Nigella. Think I'll try the Christmas morning muffins first.

[northender]

Would love to join the thread. Delia has always been my Christmas bible but I'll go to the library on the way to school and see what others they have. I'm very late with things this year, have just brined my shallots for pickling. May do mincemeat if dd wants to help but do like the idea of tarting up shop-bought.