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a_n_h - 2009-09-13 14:29:00

hi a_n_h! i usually make my cookie dough a couple of months out - anywhere from mid sept to beginning of oct, then spend a couple of sat's making up the cookies and then i just put them back down (cooked) into ice cream containers. the stained glass bickies will be fine to freeze as well. i make my christmas puds from aug through and then just frezze - i just wrap them up well before i frezze them. have fun and hey well done on the planning!!

timetable - 2009-09-13 15:17:00

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a_n_h - 2009-09-14 13:32:00

man sounds busy at your place!! hey enjoy the baking and take care!

timetable - 2009-09-14 20:43:00

bumping to the top only 100 days to go!!!!!!! yipppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

timetable - 2009-09-15 18:18:00

98 days to go......... whats everyone up to with planning etc - your thoughts on christmas.....

timetable - 2009-09-17 03:56:00

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a_n_h - 2009-09-18 09:10:00

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a_n_h - 2009-09-19 19:14:00

hi all 96 days to go!! whats on the menu for christmas dinner this year - would love to hear what everyone will be up to!

timetable - 2009-09-20 09:20:00

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a_n_h - 2009-09-24 16:53:00

bump ..

lisa7 - 2009-09-26 22:53:00

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a_n_h - 2009-09-28 09:23:00

hi all, your right a_n_h - not long at all!! so gonna do the nigella turkey again with jamie olivers herb butter under the skin, new spuds, peas and carrots out of the garden, aspar with slivered almonds and herb/lemon butter, wild rice salad, redslaw, enough dessert to sink a battleship, junk food to fill a tank and nibbles to keep us going to the end of jan!!

timetable - 2009-09-28 21:14:00

x... x

jenna68 - 2009-10-02 16:20:00

Christmas Digestive Tea
This fruity, spicy mix smells divine and may be very welcome after a big meal!

4 tablespoons pure Ceylon leaf tea
1 thumb ginger, finely chopped
1 vanilla bean, chopped
1 cinnamon quill, broken into small pieces
4 whole cloves
Zest of 1 orange (use a zesting tool)
1 stalk of lemongrass (tender middle section only)
2 tablespoons dried cranberries, coarsely chopped

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Cover and place in a cool, dry spot for at least 4 hours to allow flavours to infuse.
Cut 8-10 circles of muslin about 12 cm round and spoon in the tea mixture. Tie into little bundles with kitchen twine and store in a sealed container until ready to use (up to 24 hours).
To make tea, boil water and allow to stand for 30 seconds before pouring it over the infusion bags, either in a teapot or cup. Add a little honey to sweeten if desired.
Makes 8 to 10 cups.

pam.delilah - 2009-10-09 10:29:00

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traintracks28 - 2009-10-09 16:48:00

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a_n_h - 2009-10-12 10:43:00

bumping to the top for all who need to be on the ball with christmas baking!!

timetable - 2009-10-14 17:41:00

bumping with thanks from timetable

ngacooky - 2009-10-15 16:42:00

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a_n_h - 2009-10-17 14:09:00

bumping back to the top...... christmas junkies and organised christmas crews unite!!! lol

timetable - 2009-10-18 21:12:00

bumping for the night crew... its never too early to start stocking up the frezzer!!!

timetable - 2009-10-19 18:02:00

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a_n_h - 2009-10-22 21:15:00

bumping got all those workin on their christmas baking....

timetable - 2009-10-25 19:14:00

Has anyone got a really nice authentic biscotti recipe for xmas?

smudge - 2009-10-26 17:27:00

smudge wrote:

Has anyone got a really nice authentic biscotti recipe for xmas?

This is such a good site. I didn't even know it was here - I read it on someone's sell ad for baking tins. Thanks for the intro. Can I search for recipes on this thread?

smudge - 2009-10-26 17:48:00

yep smudge - will take a while but just go through the thread and you will find some really awesome recipes!! have fun! happy christmas baking - our frezzer is working well with what's already down lol have had a lovely 2 months so far baking each sat for chrismtas.

timetable - 2009-10-26 20:06:00

bumping back to the top for a new day....

timetable - 2009-10-27 07:50:00

Peppermint Candy Canes

Ingredients 2 cups sugar 1/2 cup light corn syrup 1/2 cup water 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract red food coloring Instructions Cook sugar, corn syrup, water, and cream of tartar to a very hard ball stage (use candy thermometer: 250 to 265 degrees F.). Remove from heat and add peppermint. Divide into two parts and add red coloring to one part and mix well. Pull pieces of each part to form ropes and twist red around the white to make candy canes. 1 dozen

pam.delilah - 2009-10-27 14:25:00

Stained Glass Candy
What you'll need:
• cookie cutters
• hard candies
• baking tray and foil
• ribbon
1. Wrap the bottom and sides of your chosen cookie cutters with aluminum foil and place them on a baking sheet. Spray the insides of the "molds" with cooking spray.
2. Place one layer of hard candy in the bottom of the cookie cutters. Use any combination of colors you like.
3. Place tray in the oven and bake at 350° for 10 minutes, or until the candy is completely melted.
4. Allow the candy to cool for 2 minutes and then use a skewer or chopstick to poke a hole through the top part of the candy so you can put a ribbon through and hang it.
5. When candy is completely cool, remove from cookie cutter mold and add your ribbon!

pam.delilah - 2009-10-27 14:25:00

Hi Southerngurl ,I have a egg nog recipe from Danny Watsons newstalk z.b. 2Litre French vanilla icecream,1doz eggs,750mls whisky,shake of nutmeg,Beat all together &enjoy.Maureen

moetus - 2009-10-27 21:10:00

Adding some canape or appetiser ideas to this great thread:

These look and taste great - and you can make the bases in advance..

Use a savoury short pastry recipe - or purchase some - this rolls out and bakes and looks a little like flattened shortbread, though tastes different..

Roll out until about 3-4mm thick.. a little thicker than you would have pastry for a pie. Cut into small circles with a cookie cutter - the crinkle-edged ones look good.

Bake as per the recipe or packet instructions. Leave till completely cold and freeze until the day they're needed - or make a few days ahead and keep in an airtight container.

You can decorate them as you wish.. some of the following can be made in advance, then placed on the circles not long before being ready to serve:

* Mix some cream cheese and salmon or smoked salmon together, add chopped chives or a little chopped mint. Season to taste. Spread over the circles, top with a small piece of smoked salmon.

* A slice of avocado, a slice of tomato and some smoked salmon on top..

* Make some guacamole, and spread a thick layer over the circle, sprinkle with paprika and top with a small wedge of tomato.

* Use some cream cheese, seasoned to taste and a little lemon juice added, and spread on the circles. Top with some caviar.

* Spread a little hummous on the circles, then top with a thin layer of pesto.

* Place a slice of tomato on the circles, then top with pesto.

* Place a slice of cucumber on the circles, top with finely chopped mint mixed into some cream cheese, cottage cheese or hummous and season to your taste.

* Mix some finely chopped sundried tomato and some finely chopped mint into some cream, cottage cheese or hummous and spread on the circles.. top with a tiny piece of mint or parsley.

* Mix some chopped smoked salmon into some hummous - season to taste if needed, spread on the circles and decorate.

* Mix some sweet chilli sauce or some pickle, chutney or relish into cream cheese, cottage cheese or hummous, season if needed and spread on the circles and decorate.

* Mix some chopped gherkins into cream cheese, cottage cheese or hummous and season if needed, add smoked salmon if you want, spread on the circles and decorate.
* Grated fresh beetroot mixed with cream cheese, cottage cheese or hummous and decorated
* Make a cheese paste - the Southland Cheese Rolls recipe - recipes are here:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Community/MessageBoard/SearchResult
s.aspx
Spread some over the circles and either warm them, or decorate and use as they are..

* Other ingredients you could use:

* Salami, chopped or sliced in circles
* Olives - sliced or chopped
* Fresh herbs - parsley, mint, lemon balm, thyme, sage, etc..
* Grilled chopped crispy bacon
* Hard boiled eggs chopped through cream cheese, cottage cheese or hummous and seasoned.
* Slices of hard boiled egg.
* Mashed hardboiled eggs, a little mayonnaise added and seasoned to taste - add a little curry powder and some chopped parsley - the good ole savoury egg recipe adapted to top the circles.
* Thin slices of fresh tuna
* Finely sliced red onion
* Sliced or chopped capsicum
* Shrimps or prawns
* Pieces of cooked crayfish
* Smoked fish
etc..

juliewn - 2009-11-06 00:12:00

I make these every christmas, the boys love them.

FRUITY SPICED CHRISTMAS MUFFINS.

2 cups self rising flour
1 and a half - 2 cups mixed fruit
1 cup brown sugar
1 Tblsp mixed spice
1 Tblsp cinnamon
half tsp ground cloves
1 lge egg
1 and a quarter cups milk
75g melted butter

Melt butter and then beat in egg and milk. Mix in everything else, but do NOT overmix. Spoon into 14 muffin holes. Bake 210c for 12-15 mins or until centre springs back.
Can serve with baileys spiked cream, or just plain butter... enjoy.

susan21 - 2009-11-06 12:57:00

I soooooooooo love this thread. Having not really cooked ~ as in oven, stove, family meals etc (as opposed to elements) ~ for most of my over-half-century life, now that I am in love and loved I have such a receptive audience and this year will be making a batch of Christmas Cakes for gifts!!

Last Christmas I gain much joy in making lots of foodie Christmas gifts for his and my staff members but not to the extent of mini cakes.

Anyway, I digress. I have today made three batches (trays) of rocky road and three batches of White Christmas to (tomorrow night) parcel up into individual cellophane packets for my 100 students who are leaving school for senior exams on Tuesday.

White Christmas recipe is from here.

RR I have refined/simplified over the years and it receives so many compliments. Couldn't be easier. I don't measure, just tend to chuck in. I buy a mixture of dark and milk choco drops ~ whatever is on special. Buy mixed/Xmas fruit mix from the bulk bin at Pak & Save. Also from the bulk bin I buy a small quantity of green/red glace fruit just to complement that in the fruit mix. Then pink/white mini marshmallows and blanched peanuts from the baking section. Plus some coconut.

Using my big trusty pirex jug over a saucepan of water I melt the choco to which I add Kremalta (to soften the choco mix and make it go further). Once melted I add the fruity/nut/marshy/coconut mix and upend on a lined tray. Into the fridge for half an hour then I cut up.

Sooooooooo easy. My guy doesn't like nuts so I omit those for him. Instead I might add chopped up dried apricots. Or cranberries.

Thanks lovely cooks for all your ideas. My problem now is just which of the many Christmas cakes to try. I do definitely want to go small ~ love the terracotta pot idea but am not sure if these can be fed with booze and then iced.

mindi1 - 2009-11-08 17:04:00

hi everyone - bumping too the top - hey thanks heaps everyone for the new recipes!! blessings for the day.....

timetable - 2009-11-09 11:01:00

bump cause i love this thread...my pressys this year are baskets filled with my preserves, wee xmas cakes etc....

purplegoanna - 2009-11-10 08:55:00

can someone please give me the recipe for where you put the hot chocolate sachet and a candy cane plus marshmellows etc in a cup as a gift, had it last year but cant remember the poem that went with it. please pretty please

freedreamz - 2009-11-11 10:48:00

bumping up to the top again - we done need this wee baby about now i reckon!! have fun creating everyone....

timetable - 2009-11-12 07:07:00

I heard it's only about 42 days until Christmas - yay! I've faithfully put $10 each week on my Pak'n'Save card so buying my turkey/ham, luxury items, softdrinks/juices and wine (!) won't hurt my pocket one bit as I'm up to $450 now. Have been buying toiletries on special throught the year from supermarket and avon for my teenagers and will give $ to hit the specials on boxing day - we all know mum doesn't have a clue eh?! ha! And my two littlies have got some bargains during the year off TM and will buy them little things in the upcoming sales before Christmas.

The important thing about Christmas is that we don't overindulge with presents and stress over money because it's not our birthday - it's Jesus' birthday ... and we get to spend time with our loved ones. Peace to everyone in these upcoming weeks

darlingmole - 2009-11-12 08:26:00

Hi Juliew, Your recipe for your favourite Christmas Cake, I want to make it as one big cake. How long would it take to cake approximately and at what temperature..

beewee - 2009-11-13 11:05:00

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fantalantique - 2009-11-15 17:13:00

Hi Julienw

Just want to know how long to cook your large christmas cake in one
tin and at what temperature.

beewee - 2009-11-21 20:52:00

thanks for the Christmas muffins recipe Susan, I was thinking about making some today. but wasn't sure where to start.

calista - 2009-11-22 13:27:00

Hello juliewn

Can u check your cake recipe it was very sloppy when i made it and it was very sticky when i finished the cooking. I cooked it as one cake, how long should i have cooked it for? It smells divine.

beewee - 2009-11-27 08:29:00

bumping to the top of the page for all those who are looking for some idea's - hows everyones christmas prep goin?? had our christmas lights party last night - heaps of fun, loads of good christmas food and a lovely night enjoying the 'bright lights' at our place lol - take care all and happy christmas food prep!!

timetable - 2009-11-29 18:12:00

OMG only 27 days to go...

alebix - 2009-11-29 18:20:00

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cookessentials - 2009-12-01 07:13:00

Alison Gofton had a recipe in the Next mag a few years back and l have made it ever since l am not allowed to not make it, lol, and l like it as it is easy and can be made the day before. Alison said to serve hot but everyone loves them cold.
Cucumber Garlic Prawns
The day before l cook my prawns in some oil with minced garlic added and then drain on paper towel, cool then wrap in tinfoil and airtight container and put in fridge.
On the day you cut up your cucumber into round slices and put a prawn on each slice add a dollop of your best mayo and top with a few bits of lemon zest and stand back and watch them disappear.
l usually make about 3 dozen prawns and they always seem to go too fast.

griffo4 - 2009-12-01 13:58:00

I have not read right thorough this thread but think it is awesome.
A question I would like to ask is , can rum truffles be made before xmas and how long before, and also would it be better to freeze them
Appreciate your answers and thank you in advance .Dianne

maggie62 - 2009-12-01 17:35:00

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cookessentials - 2009-12-02 06:35:00