Old Style Christmas Preparations for Christmas 2013

kboss2010

Skint_Catt wrote: »

I usually use Delia's Christmas Cake recipe for Christmas using an 8" cake tin however all families are finding it a bit much to eat it all, so I was going to use the same mixture to make 2 smaller cakes of the same proportions (i.e. not too flat & wide/tall & deep or loaf shape) - what size tins do I need? (is 4" too obvious - & where would I get 4" tins anyway?!) xx

Would this do? It's £12.99 and free postage

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400404716476?lpid=54&device=t&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=54&ff19=0

quidsy

I think it's only the dividers that are £12.99. ! otherwise I would have bought that. What a clever idea.

Skint_Catt

Oh I like that divided pan but it's £32 for the pan & way out of my price range I'm afraid. I wanted to give them as gifts - just mini versions of the usual 8" round one I make, but looks like I might have to use my loaf tins instead.
Thanks all xx

quidsy

I found the loaf tins made really cute cakes. Once iced & with a bit of ribbon & maybe some sugar decorations, they looked really festive.

I made several last year for neighbors, work friends & my mum. All went down a treat except mum has asked for a booze free this year as the litre of whiskey I put in my mix gave her bad guts. lol

ditsykitchen

I know this is a long shot, but does anyone have any ideas for a gluten free veggie Christmas main? I've had a few veggie xmases but this is my first one after eliminating gluten (sad but necessary for health reasons). It's for myself and dh. Sorry if this isn't the place to post this!

Skint_Catt

quidsy wrote: »

I made several last year for neighbors, work friends & my mum. All went down a treat except mum has asked for a booze free this year as the litre of whiskey I put in my mix gave her bad guts. lol

Oh God, hubby & I drown ours - never thought it would upset anyone tbh we limited a tad last year as the year before was a little soggy when it came to icing (hubby was feeding it & not realising I was too!) :rotfl:

quidsy

The key to not soggy boozy christmas cake is to soak the fruit int he booze for a couple of weeks first. I usually use half a litre(this year amaretto) & leave it till the fruit is swollen & heavy, then mix it into the cake mix & bake. THEN I bleed the cake with a cap full every week until 2 weeks before Christmas till the other half a litre is gone. I make my cake early to ensure it is good & stewed. haha

Josslette

ditsykitchen wrote: »

I know this is a long shot, but does anyone have any ideas for a gluten free veggie Christmas main? I've had a few veggie xmases but this is my first one after eliminating gluten (sad but necessary for health reasons). It's for myself and dh. Sorry if this isn't the place to post this!

Hi

Have you tried those Quorn roast things? They sell them frozen, not sure if they're gluten free but I cooked one for my brother the other year and he loved it.

Otherwise I would make something with puff pastry(If you an buy/make GF puff pastry) and make parcels filled with yummy festive things like brie, cranberry sauce, roasted butternut squash and onions, maybe seasoned with some sage to keep things a bit more traditional?

Or maybe do a veggie roast dinner but based around a creamy vegetable and potato gratin? I've made one before with finely sliced, potatoes, swede, carrot, parsnips and smothered in cream, boursin, caramelised onions, s+p, garlic, dried herbs, fresh thyme.

HTH

Josslette

Is anyone else really excited to see what Soap and Glory bring out for their big Christmas gift set this year? Is that a really sad thing to be excited about? hehe

Josslette

Saw a good little stocking filler/extra present today in Boots. 17 has a promotion on if you buy a certain mascara for £5.49 you get a gel eyeliner for free. Both look lovely, silver mascara tube, gel liner comes in a cute little box. Also 17 mascaras are usually very good!