Chutney's, pickles, sweets........

ELLA

As like most of us on here I'm planning on getting organised for christmas 2009:D Next year I want to make a lot of foody gift's like chutney and pickles plus sweets. Is there a book out there that has all the information in on how to make and cook as many things as possible. Ive heard Nigella's christmas book is really good for little food gifts......

Does anyone have any other idea's.
Many thanks

ZLS1984

Hi I am not sure what books would be best, but the last Asda mag I had, has recipes in for that sort of thing. There is not many but the ones that are there look quite good. I know the recipe for the truffles work as I have made these before and they are so tasty.

If you want I can post the recipies here.

LittleMissSee

Try BBC Good Food website, they had a whole section on homemade gifts for Christmas (including Chutneys!). My friend made some for her family, and they were a hit!

Be warned if you make the chilli one though! When my friend went back into the kitchen to check on it, she couldn't get to the pan due to the chilli-fumes that made her eyes water!!!

rainmac

Link to some make to give recipes...

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/search.do?keywords=gift&searchType=recipes

http://www.channel4.com/food/browse.jsp?keyValues=ContentType%3Arecipes&query=gift&keyDefs=true&maxNavPages=10&resultsPerPage=10&tracking=true&source=gsa&siteName=food&start=0

ELLA

Thanks so much for the links, i will print them all out and file them.....can you tell me what the best jars are to use ans to make them look a lot more like gift's. Many thanks

Bibbitybob

I buy value products such as pasta sauce, freeze the sauce in another container then wash and sterilise the jars in the oven. Then I put a circle of fabric over the lid and secure it with ribbon, and stick on my own labels.

ELLA

Thanks Bibbitybob, how long to you keep them in the oven and do you use a muslin cloth???
Many thanks

moyilla

Hi
I got Nigella's Christmas ook for Christmas - it's fab :j so can highly reccommend it

I wish I had of been given it before Christmas though

Anyway, I will be making lots of her food gifts from the book for Christmas 2009 :T :T

Softstuff

How early could chutneys etc be made for Christmas 2009? Have nigellas book on order from the library, so am particularly interested in what's in there if anyone knows.

Angela

Chutneys need to mature for 3 months before being eaten.
Jars should be left in the oven for 10 minutes to steralise.

Softstuff

Angela wrote: »

Chutneys need to mature for 3 months before being eaten.

But how long will they last after that? My biggest time off in the year is February, but wondering if that's far too early to start some for next Christmas?