Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Monica+Ellie]

Everyone seems to love mince pies, EXCEPT ME!

Everywhere I go there are free mince pies or mince pies for sale.

 

Is there an alternative for us mince pie haters?

Anyone agree, anyone have any ideas?

[Valkyrie]

Jam tarts. Colourful and tasty - go down well when warmed and with custard too. I usually make mince pies and jam tarts to cater for both preferences - thing is the jam tarts also get scoffed by the mince piers too! Strawberry and apricot jam - but I haven't tried lime marmalade for green - you'd have traffic lights then.

[clootie]

Mince pies, Xmas cake, Xmas pud, Stollen

 

 

Now, my lime cheesecake .....

[henriette]

Little cranberry tartlets with a blob of clotted cream are quite nice...

[Cinnamon]

I just made these Christmas muffin kits for my hamprs,& the end results are supposed to be yummy

 

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2920/christmas-muffin-mix?countView=false

[Valkyrie]

We're going to a pre Christmas dinner at my neighbours house and meeting up with the other nice neighbours in our cul-de-sac. I'm doing desserts by popular request (don't know why my ice cream was rubbish last time), so at the moment we have chocolate brownies on the go and the condensed milk is caramelising for banoffee pie. Might do lemon drizzle just for good measure.

[Guest]

I'm not all that fussed on mince pies, I'll eat them if offered but they wouldn't be the pie of choice for me. On the other hand I ADORE Eccles cakes, Christmas cake and Christmas pud. I just don't particularly like the mincemet in mince pies

[dippy bird]

try making Nigellas mince pies,they are lovely! I hate mince pies and christmas cake,but nigella's are sooooooo yummy!!!

[chelsea]

You are not alone!!

 

I hate mince pies, Christmas cake, and Christmas pudding.

 

Actually I hate anything with dried fruit in it and so does my sister!

[Monica+Ellie]

yesss

i'm not the only one!!

thank you for your advice.

i've made some jam tarts and banned the mince pie eaters from having them

[craftyhunnypie]

That's easy.... make a chocolate yule log!

 

Emma.x

[Lesley]

Little cranberry tartlets with a blob of clotted cream are quite nice...

 

That's what I make as well, with home-made cranberry and orange sauce.

I hate all things containing squashed flies

[Alis girls]

I have put on 1/2 stone reading this

[henriette]

I just made these Christmas muffin kits for my hamprs,& the end results are supposed to be yummy

 

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2920/christmas-muffin-mix?countView=false

I have just checked this out and am definitely going to make up some jars . What a brilliant idea.

Do you think I ought to make some so that I can make sure they taste alright

[Egluntyne]

Do you think I ought to make some so that I can make sure they taste alright

 

Most definitely! I always do a test run. Especially if the recipe involves the use of chocolate.

[Cinnamon]

I just made these Christmas muffin kits for my hamprs,& the end results are supposed to be yummy

 

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2920/christmas-muffin-mix?countView=false

I have just checked this out and am definitely going to make up some jars . What a brilliant idea.

Do you think I ought to make some so that I can make sure they taste alright

 

 

I made the kits up yesterday,& for very little effort,they look really impressive.

I added some of those Craisens to the fruit mix,for a more Christmassy feel.

 

If you do make some up,let me know what they are like

[henriette]

 

I made the kits up yesterday,& for very little effort,they look really impressive.

I added some of those Craisens to the fruit mix,for a more Christmassy feel.

 

If you do make some up,let me know what they are like

 

I will try to make some today or tomorrow and will let you know.

Incidentally, what are Craisens? Haven't seen them over here but maybe they have another name?

[Lesley]

They are dried cranberries Henriette - cranberry raisins!

[Cinnamon]

.........................and they are super delish

[henriette]

Right, will go on a search! They sound scrummy! Am making the muffins this morning. Bought the ingredients yesterday, but couldn't get the right mix of dried fruits. Will see what happens anyway.

[henriette]

Mmm! Made 12 and only eight left ... well, it is cold, and Loved One was keen to ignore his salt free diet and so he had 2, so then I had 2 too Afterall, it is Christmas! I wont be having any lunch though. They really are extremely good. Unfortunately, I put them all one one baking tray so they are not beautifully round. I will know for the next time. Didn't use craisens as decided not to shop today, and left the fruits quite chunky. Also used pecans and not walnuts and Loved One's special no salt, no cholesterol cooking substitute for butter. It really is a superb recipe! Have taken a photo - very badly