Every October half term I try to get the Christmas cakes and puddings baked/steamed so that they can mature in time. This started way back when the kids started school and then became more of a routine when I started teaching too. Because of the hours involved in the actual baking and steaming you need NOT to be going out anywhere! Sometimes I make my own mincemeat too, but this year I rediscovered a kilner jar of the stuff right at the back of the cupboard (as I was hunting for the ground almonds) so I'm off the hook. It keeps for ages because of the HUGE quantity of brandy in it - though I suspect I may have launched that batch with a good slug of Amaretto.
By the time I'd finished fannying about making everyone a cooked breakfast (WHY?!!!) it was nearly lunch time again! I'd made brekkies as each one got out of bed so Jerry, Leo and I had ours about 8:30am and Ro was last at 11:00am!! Then it was cake mixing time!! The fussy bit is greasing and lining the tins, but I guess it's worth all the effort. I don't make a traditional cake anymore - my sister gave me the idea of using tropical fruit instead to make a lighter, more exotic cake and it is truly lovely. I use rum instead of brandy, coconut and pecans instead of almonds and papaya, pineapple and mango instead of raisins, sultanas and currants. It's proved a hit with relatives and visitors too so this year I made and extra one as a gift.
The puddings are more traditional, but I'd forgotten to buy the ground almonds so I used up a handful of pistachios instead. I'm sure it'll still be yummy!! Both puddings and cakes have their fruit soaked for a week in rum (I should get shares in Captain Morgan) which adds to the luxury of the whole experience. It takes virtually all day to do it (they're still going strong now - I'll have to upload the photos tomorrow!) but the smell around the house is wonderful!!
Yesterday I made a lovely soup out of the pumpkin pulp and the last of the pattypans. It had a very delicate flavour and colour - I didn't bother with a photo as it didn't look particularly inspiring, but the cheeseboard definitely warranted a picture!! Clockwise from the top: cheddar with pickle; austrian smoked (Leo's favourite); bog standard mature cheddar; a tiny piece of wensleydale with date and honey; in the middle, mediterranean cheddar with olives and peppers and lastly a dark coloured sticky toffee apple cheddar - it's absolutely gorgeous and reminded me of a rich cheesecake!!
We ended up having quite a jolly Hallowe'en with our neighbours. Because we both have little kids we just Trick or Treated each other and invited each other in for a glass of wine. It was a lovely social occasion and made more fun by one of the guests who had spooky sounds on her I-phone and plugged it into the speakers! The children seemed to enjoy it enormously! I was very envious of my neighbour's Graveyard muffins which looked a heck of a lot more appetising than mine and whose icing hadn't run off the top in a sticky mess!!! Ah well! Better luck next time!
Apparently it's only 54 days to Christmas! Yipes!!!
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