Ever wondered what would happen if a mince pie and a bakewell tart had a love child? Wonder no longer, my little elves. THIS is what happens. Crisp, buttery pastry? Tick. Fruity, boozy mincemeat? Tick. Soft, nutty frangipane? Tick. Familiar enough to comfort but with a bit of a twist to add interest – this … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Christmas
Orange & almond figgy Christmas pudding
Happy Advent! Right, let’s get down to business. Christmas pudding: yay or nay? I’m going to be honest with you all: I’ve never really been that fussed about it. A steamed pudding is pretty much the last thing I want to eat after hours of near-constant nib-grazing (I find diminutive snacks unutterably compelling), a devilishly … Continue reading
Islington’s best Christmas menus
This post was born out of necessity. A couple of weeks ago, I told my uni mates that I would book somewhere for our annual Christmas knees-up*. We do it every year and every year, EVERY YEAR, we find ourselves trying to work out where to go, in a city heaving with restaurants – world-class ones, … Continue reading
“Make-me-quick” date, apple & walnut mincemeat
Alright, my Christmas elves, time to get your little pinnies on – Christmas is a-coming! And making your own mincemeat is ridiculously easy. Even if you’ve never made it before. I mean literally one-step, stir-things-in-a-big-bowl easy. This version is very fruity, pretty boozy and everyone can enjoy it (it’s gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan. Although if … Continue reading
Top 5 gluten-free Christmas gift recipes
Gosh, it’s beginning to feel like Christmas really isn’t that far away…super exciting but also a little daunting if you’re hosting…*pulls melodramatic face in manner of Edvard Munch’s The Scream*. If, like me, you’ve already started thinking about your Christmas shopping, why not consider making some edible gifts this year? It’s thoughtful, it’s fun, and … Continue reading
Chocolate meringue mushrooms
Happy bank holiday Monday all! It’s been raining all day here so I’ve been staying cosy in my kitchen with my trusty oven, apron and radio on all day. Bliss! So today I made meringue mushrooms. I don’t normally go in for fiddly when it comes to baking and decorating but I couldn’t resist making … Continue reading
Whisky & ginger Dad* fudge
* To address any equality or diversity concerns regarding the title of this recipe being construed as sexist, parent-ist or some other kind of -ist: This fudge is actually suitable for anyone (well, maybe not children), not just dads (great news for everyone else!). But let’s be honest, there are only so many pairs of novelty socks your dad’s … Continue reading
Boozy mincemeat fudge
It’s the final Christmas countdown! If: 1. You keep wondering where December went 2. The thought of last-minute shopping with thousands of other panic-stricken shoppers makes you want to emigrate to a country where they don’t have Christmas 3. You want people to think that you’re awesome… …then this fudge is for you. Well, technically … Continue reading
Christmas tree decorations: Spekulatius
Greetings foodies. December has flown by in a blur of mini-mince pies, carol concerts and booze. It has been delightful and exhausting in equal measure and we’re not even at the grand finale yet! I needed a break from festivities on Sunday, a little time to myself to potter, so I baked some spekulatius. In … Continue reading
Get ready for Christmas: Lebkuchen
Today’s the day I’m going to tell you the recipe for my friendly little gingerbread-esque men in my profile picture. It’s time. Time for lebkuchen. For the uninitiated, it’s a sort of soft, spiced German gingerbread that smells and tastes of Christmas and makes everybody very happy indeed. I made my first batch of the … Continue reading