Challenge: Handmade 2010 xmas

diddly74

wammy77 wrote: »

Been busy making and baking today with my little girl, while I was in the kitchen I thought I'd check on my Rumtopf and put it in jars for Christmas gifts

They've only been 'stewing' for 2 months, so could do with another 4 weeks really (depends on how sweet you like it!), but I'll pop some instructions on the labels so the recipients know to wait a bit longer

It's delicious over ice-cream, or waffles, or just eaten on it's own!!!




I started a bit late with it this year so I missed out on putting strawberries and cherries in this time.

Both my Mom and Mother in Law used to make Rumtopf. In a huge crockery jar - well laced and eaten at Christmas with cream or icecream. lol

esmer

What is it?

diddly74

Fruit, sugar and alcohol and nowt taken out lol. Fresh Fruit of any kind (tho some stuff doesn't get work very well can't remember right now) and topped up with rum. It is usually made throughout the year adding fruit as they are in "season".

I found a receipe and it tells you what fruit isn't any good. Can be a very intoxicating pudding I can tell ya!

http://www.germandeli.com/rumtopfrecipe.html

sarahpowell

Aww thanks to everyone for the kind replies. I now have the bug and will be trying a few more bits and pieces over the year for next years pressies.

I really want to try some home made bath salts/bombs and I will learn how to use my sewing machine, if anyone lives near me and wishes to give me a tutorial it would be much appreciated lol.

wammy77

esmer wrote: »

They look GREAT! is it just a shortbread recipe?

Esmer - this is actually a soft gingerbread recipe, but I have also done some using a basic shortbread mix too They are so yummy!!!

Greytlove wrote: »

They look lovely :j - do you mind if I ask how you made them please? :j

Of course not!! The Rumtopfs are sooooo simple to make - you need fruit, enough rum to cover the fruit in the croc pot (or any pot with a lid) and sugar (half the weight of the fruit).

Basically you add the fruit as it comes into season and top up the rum to ensure the fruit is covered, keeping it in a cool place. My Nan used to start hers early around May time and then use it at Christmas, but as long as you give it a minimum of 6 weeks before you can eat it, it should be fine.

This is a good website for what to do and what not to do:

http://www.germandeli.com/rumtopfrecipe.html

esmer wrote: »

What is it?

I've used nectarines, grapes, and pears this time as I didn't start early enough to put in other fruit... next year i plan to start much earlier and make a much bigger pot!!!

Also I used fairly cheap dark rum this time, rather than the expensive dark rum they say you should use and it tastes just as nice!!!

diddly74

Sarah - If you are a complete novice at sewing then have a look to see if your local college does a night class. I know ours does - I had a sewing machine from the age of 4 and took textiles at GCSE so they seem to simple to me - but my daughter has just done her first sewing project at school and seeing it thru her eyes was interesting! She ended up sewing most of it at home because our machine has variable speed and the ones at school "are too fast" (her words). I must say I was very proud of her efforts and of myself for managing not to meddle too much!

So if you did a short course you might feel more confident with a tutor and a group of like minded people around you - but we are always here to answer questions and give support!

wammy77

diddly74 wrote: »

Fruit, sugar and alcohol and nowt taken out lol. Fresh Fruit of any kind (tho some stuff doesn't get work very well can't remember right now) and topped up with rum. It is usually made throughout the year adding fruit as they are in "season".

I found a receipe and it tells you what fruit isn't any good. Can be a very intoxicating pudding I can tell ya!

http://www.germandeli.com/rumtopfrecipe.html

Must have pressed 'submit' a second after you did!!!! Wouldn't mind a pot from that site actually.... wonder if they'll have a January sale???

diddly74

Yes Wammy - Great Minds and all that!

This is the exact same one my Mum had sat in the corner of our kitchen year on year. I wonder where it went???? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VINTAGE-RUMTOPF-JAR-RUM-POT-WEST-GERMANY-VGC_W0QQitemZ250743881146QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=187343302628&rvr_id=187343302628&cguid=ff786b1912c0a0aad510fee0fee3baf2

Greytlove

wammy77 wrote: »

Of course not!! The Rumtopfs are sooooo simple to make - you need fruit, enough rum to cover the fruit in the croc pot (or any pot with a lid) and sugar (half the weight of the fruit).
Basically you add the fruit as it comes into season and top up the rum to ensure the fruit is covered, keeping it in a cool place. My Nan used to start hers early around May time and then use it at Christmas, but as long as you give it a minimum of 6 weeks before you can eat it, it should be fine.
This is a good website for what to do and what not to do:
http://www.germandeli.com/rumtopfrecipe.html

I've used nectarines, grapes, and pears this time as I didn't start early enough to put in other fruit... next year i plan to start much earlier and make a much bigger pot!!!
Also I used fairly cheap dark rum this time, rather than the expensive dark rum they say you should use and it tastes just as nice!!!

That's fantastic, thanks so much for that :j, looks easy enough even for me to make! and delicious too! :j

abatha

Okkkk so here are my makes!
(sorry about the big pics)

Sock Monkeys! The orange one still needs a mouth
(also I cant take credit for the knitted hat, its from an innocent smoothie)


Pot of Gold - minus the label


Some of my iced spicy biscuits


Making gingerbread men tomorrow and might make another batch of cookies ^_^