Kirstie's HomeMade Christmas --- anyone else watching???

kitschkitty

I liked the stockings, learnt something new/useful there, but was it just me or did they not finish the top of the stocking?

Pennylane

Regarding the gilded pears which were ridiculously expensive.

We all love pears here and I might try just dipping a pear in some melted chocolate (even a really good make of luxury choc would save you a fortune). Could also use white chocolate if you liked. If you like glittery stuff you could sprinkle with 100's/1000s in maybe contrasting colour. Say white choc pears with dark choc sprinkles.

I once did individual poached pears which look quite lovely when they stand upright and then put a raspberry sauce over.

You could still put your luggage tag on that "a la kirstie";)

tara747

I have enjoyed this thread, thank you all!

I didn't watch the prog as she is part of the property industry machine which forced house prices so high that I couldn't afford one from when I started looking in 2003, and my friends who (only just) managed to buy in 2007 are now in NE. If she becomes an MP, God help us all. She was completely useless on Question Time recently.

flippin36

Pennylane wrote: »

Regarding the gilded pears which were ridiculously expensive.

We all love pears here and I might try just dipping a pear in some melted chocolate (even a really good make of luxury choc would save you a fortune). Could also use white chocolate if you liked. If you like glittery stuff you could sprinkle with 100's/1000s in maybe contrasting colour. Say white choc pears with dark choc sprinkles.

I once did individual poached pears which look quite lovely when they stand upright and then put a raspberry sauce over.

You could still put your luggage tag on that "a la kirstie";)

Love it. Thank you. Much more suitable for my budget. :T

willa

Loved the soapmaking, but bit :eek: at the thought of donning the glasses and adding the caustic soda.
Found this interesting article explaining about its inclusion in the process:

http://www.thesoapkitchen.co.uk/soap_making.htm

Also this explains how to make soap without the caustic soda (if you can obtain 'white wood ash'):

http://ecobites.com/eco-news-articles/self-reliance/1082-how-to-make-pure-soap

Would love to try making some soap and adding some weird and wonderful stuff. Hmm, cammomile flowers and other tea type things.. hours of endless fun.

Justamum

kitschkitty wrote: »

I liked the stockings, learnt something new/useful there, but was it just me or did they not finish the top of the stocking?

That bugged me too! I did notice that when it was eventually hung up she had finished it off though.

Mme.Hibou

sassyblue wrote: »

I wanted the Chutney recipe but it's not on the Ch4 website as they said it would be anyway someone has posted this:

In a bowl put chopped sun dried apricots (no amount given),
1 packet of dates choopped,
1 lb raisins,
zest of 2 oranges,
juice of 8 oranges(1 pt),

Let dried fruit soak up juice.

Cranberries (No amount given)
2 lbs onions chopped
2 lbs bramley apples chopped
ginger finely chopped
2 pts cider vinegar
tablespoon sea salt
half a teasp mixed spice

All of that in a big pan, cook for half an hour

Add juice soaked fruit to big pan. Add 1 kilo sugar, bring to boil and see it thicken. Pour into 20 x 8oz jars.

I know what l'm making this weekend! :T

Full recipe here http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/kirstie-s-homemade-home/kirstie-s-homemade-christmas/kirstie-s-homemade-christmas-recipes-09-12-10_p_1.html

lbt_2

meames wrote: »

even the charity shops are dear!

did you see that she paid £8 for the basket from a street trader? I bought one exactly the same for 30p from a jumble sale . The (annoying) woman just doesn't know a bargain like we do.

willa

I know! £8 for that, that was funny. Thought the real gold leaf pear place settings were a bit silly too.
The little pile she got for £4 looked good though. The handleless mug looked like it was worth more than that on its own. Think she said it was Spode.
She did give one no-cost tip that I thought was good - using last years Christmas cards for gift tags.

Gigervamp

willa wrote: »

Loved the soapmaking, but bit :eek: at the thought of donning the glasses and adding the caustic soda.
Found this interesting article explaining about its inclusion in the process:

http://www.thesoapkitchen.co.uk/soap_making.htm

Also this explains how to make soap without the caustic soda (if you can obtain 'white wood ash'):

http://ecobites.com/eco-news-articles/self-reliance/1082-how-to-make-pure-soap

Would love to try making some soap and adding some weird and wonderful stuff. Hmm, cammomile flowers and other tea type things.. hours of endless fun.

Safety when soapmaking is of paramount importance.

With regards making soap using wood ash instead of caustic soda, it's still a caustic substance. Also, it's an imprecise way of making soap and it's easy to end up with a caustic soap that will strip your skin!

Use caustic soda and a lye calculator. It's much safer.