Single hen

[A chickychickychick-ENN!!]

Cinnamon's spiced vodka recipe has got me wondering - what makes up your perfect gift hamper? What foody goodies do you use year in year out, and what new things are you tempted to try out recipewise to make the ultimate Christmas gift hamper?

 

Anna x

[Lesley]

I always make Chocolate Truffles - the recipe is on here somewhere........

 

They are so easy to make and always look good.

[Mrs Frugal]

Chocolate truffles went down extremely well last year so will be making a repeat performance again this year as will a jar of lemon curd. My crab apple brandy was a big hit with my parents and I've made a big flagon of it again this year so plenty to go around. I also made some of Claret's Biscotti di amour which were very popular too. I've been collecting biscuit and sweet recipes all year and will take my pick of the most delicious sounding ones and will also make some mini stollen again.

[Cinnamon]

Spiced cranberry Vodka , lemon Curd, Chilli Jam, Picallili, Marmalade, Blackberry Jam, Hedgerow Jelly, some Christmas cookies, & pickled shallots

[A chickychickychick-ENN!!]

Wow. How does one get on to Cinnamon's Christmas list?!

[Egluntyne]

Cranberry curd, marmalade so far.

[Cinnamon]

Wow. How does one get on to Cinnamon's Christmas list?!

 

One marries Cinnamons single sister

[Guest]

OK point me at her.

 

I could "turn" to get one of those hampers!

 

If there is sloe gin I'll even pay for the wedding!

[Cinnamon]

[Guest]

jar of jam (haven't decided on the flavour yet),

jar of lemon or lime curd,

1 small bottle of strawberry wine, strawberry ratafia or raspberry liquer,

a few boozy rhubarb petit fours,

some chocolate and pistachio fudge

some small biscuits (not decided what yet)

some yankee candle samplers i got in the jan sales

some scented draw things i also got in the sales

 

that's it so far, i may add to the list or change it depending after reading all the other posts

[missuscluck]

So far blackberry and apple jam or rhubarb and raspberry, green tomato chutney, rhubarb vodka chocolates, rasperry vodka, candles (bought in the sale at the pier) and probably some fudge, biscuits or mince pies.

[BeckyBoo]

Well, our "hampers" (small bags with probably 4 jars in each) will have either;

blackberry and apple jam, or strawberry jam, plum jam, damson jam, sweet pickled damsons, tomato and chilli chutney, marrow chutney, piccalilli, crab apple jelly, crab apple and mint, crab apple and chilli, pear and ginger chutney, courgette chutney, hedgerow jelly, fruit leather, truffles, blackberry vodka, raspberry vodka, apricot brandy and an individual dorset apple cake or lemon drizzle cake.

I'm quite impressed with myself making all that lot, specially when you consider I'd never made jam or chutney before this summer! Obviusly the cakes the truffles and the fruit leather will get made nearer the time, I' mquite looking forward to putting it all together now!

 

Mrs B

[A chickychickychick-ENN!!]

Go Mrs Bertie! That's a whole lotta home cookin'!

 

Anna x

[Chook n Boo Mum]

My crab apple brandy was a big hit with my parents and I've made a big flagon of it again this year so plenty to go around. .

 

Ooo, I think I may have cracked the quote thing! Woopee!

 

Kate, do you have a recipe for the crabapple brandy? I've 2 trees & don't think I could bear that much CA jelly - however much my son takes to school with him!

 

Thanks

 

Sha x

[A chickychickychick-ENN!!]

I haven't. How DO you do the quote thingy?

 

Anna x

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Above the message you want to take the quote from, there is a quote icon.

Click on it & a new message form appears. Remove any extra bits you don't need in the quote, as you would when moving around your own message before you submit it. Move your cursor outside the "quote" marks & add your bit!

 

Simple really, when you know how as with so many things in life....! Hope the above makes sense!

 

Happy quoting!!

 

Re Hampers, have bought some vodka to make apple schnapps which I found whilst wandering through here one day (on somebody's blog which was recommended via a home brewing thread I think, will try & find if you want it?), and some gin to make some sloe gin - if I can find some sloes!! Also got some cider to make Macbean's Apple, Orange & cider jelly. Had a boozy shop on Friday didn't I?! Also posted earlier about chutney & jelly etc.

Have just got to sort my bags/boxes etc! Have looked at all thoughts on here & am trying to decide whether to purchase or make myself..... not good at straight decisions...too dithery!! Unless it's important issues, like chocolate or doggy/chook/kiddiwink cuddles; no question - yes all the way!!! (have I worked out colour too?! )

 

Sha x

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Found it - whether you want it or not!!

 

Apple schnapps recipe http://www.blagger.co.uk/in-the-kitchen/how-to-make-apple-schnapps/

 

Will post as it's own thread too in case anyone else is interested!

 

Sha x

 

Am getting the hang of "personalising" my posts too!!!

[A chickychickychick-ENN!!]

Had a boozy shop on Friday didn't I?! Also posted earlier about chutney & jelly etc.

 

Brilliant! Got it!

 

Yes you did! It's called putting the 'HIC'! into CHICKENS!

 

Anna x

[Mrs Webmuppet]

I can't seem to find the Truffle recipe, I except I am being a techno numpty can someone please post the link..........and when do you suggest making them and how long will they keep ( and do you keep them in the fridge etc)

 

Thank you (Mrs Webmuppet domestic godess in training)

[Christian]

Here you go Mrs Webmuppet (or should I call you Nigella)?

 

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=7093&hilit=Truffles

[Mrs Webmuppet]

Thank you Christian. I don't suppose you can tell me if I could use eating apples to make chutney with?

 

So far for my hampers ( one for Dad and one for my lovely friend Jane)

Made:

Blackberry jam, strawberry jam, mince meat

 

To make:

chutney, Christmas cake for Dad and truffles, maybe a stollen or two

 

and a few bottles of beer from a local micro brewery!

[Christian]

I have only ever used cooking apples as my Mum has a HUGE tree. I think you need the tartness of the cookers, but there is usually so much vinegar in a chutney, I don't think it will make a huge difference.

[Chook n Boo Mum]

My crab apple brandy was a big hit with my parents and I've made a big flagon of it again this year so plenty to go around..

 

Kate, have you a recipe for this nectar? I have two crab apple trees & there's no way I can stomach that much jelly making!!

 

Thanks,

 

Sha x

 

Sorry, thought there was a certain amount of deja vu about this post - I'd already posted it above!!

[Mrs Frugal]

It's easy peasy lemon squeezy .

 

Halve or quarter (but don't peel or core) your crab apples and put them in a large jar - I use either a very large kilner jar or an empty glass cider flagon. Add about 8oz caster sugar and top up the jar with brandy - you can use less sugar if you don't like a sweet drink. Put a lid on and shake well every day for a fortnight then leave to steep in a cool dark place for as long as you can. I start mine off in August as my crab apple tree is ready then and leave them steeping till just before Christmas. Strain off the crab apples and decant the flavoured brandy into new bottles. It is absolutely divine!

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Thankyou Kate.

 

I may be daft enough to double post, but not quite daft enough to peel & core crab apples!!!!

 

Will get some brandy tomorrow & get a jar on the go!

 

Sha x