New Thrifty Gifty - Organised for Christmas and all ocassions 2010- Santas Challenges

fedupandskint

***creeps in and sticks head around the door****

Thought I'd pop on to say hi and can I rejoin the preparation

I started thinking about Christmas when I found out how well my chutneys and Christmas Cake had gone down which I gave away as presents

I've written down all I need to get for chutneys, cakes and mincemeat which isn't that much as I have quite a lot in stock

Started thinking about presents and making a few lists with a few ideas on.

Think I'd better have a flick through the thread and see what I've missed

But I can see a lot of the names from last year on here and I'm sure your preps are going well!

elysia2003

Hiya fedupandskint. I'd love to hear your chutney recipes when you have chance. How far ahead of time do your prepare them? I'm definately making my christmas pud this year - I say it every year but this year I really am. I'd love any recipes if anyone has one.

elysia2003

mum2one wrote: »

Its a pave ruby, don't know whether the pave is the shade of the stone

x

The pave bit refers to the diamonds on the shoulder. Most of my jewellery is diamond and ruby (July birthday too).

Please send our very best wishes to your MUM.

fedupandskint

Hi there

I used the River Cottage Chutney Recipe - Glutney http://www.rivercottage.net/SeasonalRecipes~August/122/Glutney.aspx and Delia Smiths Christmas Chutney Recipe which is a great replacement for Branston Pickle http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/type-of-dish/vegetarian-food/christmas-chutney.html

They need maturing for approx 8 weeks before eating but last for ages if properly stored in a cool dark place

I also made Chilli Jam (Nigella's Christmas book) which is gorgeous and mega easy to make and very cheap too and more than replaces sweet chilli sauce bought from the shop

I made most of mine in October but this year I might be earlier with the RC chutney (be warned it makes a lot of jars!) and I'm planning some picalilli out of the River Cottage Preserves book

The Christmas Cake was the Delia's Classic Christmas Cake and this year I'm making this and the Creole version and only need to buy a bit more booze http://www.deliaonline.com/search.html?search_term=christmas cake&search_scope=336&page=2

Also planning the mincemeat recipe out of the Deila Christmas book http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/cuisine/european/english/christmas-easy-home-made-christmas-mincemeat.html

I really enjoy the chutney making although all the chopping up and sterilising jars can be a bit labourious its well worth it.

Start collecting the jars now with metal lids and you can reuse them

Hope this helps

mum2one

I have been slightly naughty.... printed a couple pics of mum off, so tyeing one the lampost, our gate post and the front door!!

So lucky this afternoon, phone rang, recorded message from Argos, that our delievery slot is between 7am and 9am, but the driver will ring an hr b4 hand....


Just hope they don't ring at 6am....

mum2one

fedupandskint wrote: »

Hi there

I used the River Cottage Chutney Recipe - Glutney and Delia Smiths Christmas Chutney Recipe which is a great replacement for Branston Pickle

They need maturing for approx 8,weeks before eating but last for ages if properly stored in a cool dark place

I also made Chilli Jam (Nigella's Christmas book) which is gorgeous and mega easy to make and very cheap too and more than replaces sweet chilli sauce bought from the shop

I made most of mine in October but this year I might be earlier with the RC chutney (be warned it makes a lot of jars!) and I'm planning some picalilli out of the River Cottage Preserves book

The Christmas Cake was the Delia's Classic Christmas Cake and this year I'm making this and the Creole version and only need to buy a bit more booze

Also planning the mincemeat recipe out of the Deila Christmas book

I'm sure all of Delia's recipes will be on her website

If not let me know and I'll write them on here if I can due to copywrite

I really enjoy the chutney making although all the chopping up and sterilising jars can be a bit labourious its well worth it.

Start collecting the jars now with metal lids and you can reuse them

Hope this helps

I love the sound of those chutneys, recipies plz........

Read somewhere the other day (think it was Prima), that you can sterilise jars by half filling with hot water and microwaving on full power for 5 mins!

No idea what u do with the lids thou!!xx

fedupandskint

I've popped the links onto the post now

The other advantage is they last for ages in a cupboard unopened and taste a lot nicer than shop bought and cost a fraction of the price

I saw a jar of chutney for sale at £4.50 last week for a small jar last week

The whole lot (10+ jars) don't cost that much

timnlaura

Such an inspiring thread. Will plan my christmassy treats and get myself organised. Somehow my MIL can make the lids of jars not click as if they are unused. she is on a cruise just now, but i will ask her as soon as she is back what she does.

Anglea

Hi all, welcome back fedupandskint and hello to tinmlaura :j

I've done the last batch of jars and lids in the dishwasher and removed the paper insides if they have any. Recently saw a cookery show on tv where they poached a salmon in the dishwasher. And Kim and Aggie say to wash they disclothes in it. I've even heard of people doing their underwear in one!

Never heard of a 'pave' - learn something everyday. Mum2One - will your mum bless or curse you about the photos I wonder?

mum2one

Anglea wrote: »

Hi all, welcome back fedupandskint and hello to tinmlaura :j

I've done the last batch of jars and lids in the dishwasher and removed the paper insides if they have any. Recently saw a cookery show on tv where they poached a salmon in the dishwasher. And Kim and Aggie say to wash they disclothes in it. I've even heard of people doing their underwear in one!

Never heard of a 'pave' - learn something everyday. Mum2One - will your mum bless or curse you about the photos I wonder?

Think she'll curse me.........yes she will..... she doesn't want a fuss, just wish thought about it earlier and could of scanned a couple of her younger photos..... I was going to put one in the local paper, but was too late (boo......)

Going to venture out in a min.....