………. and I so wish I’d done what I’ve been telling you to do! On Friday I realised it’s only two weeks to Christmas day! Yikes, I’d better get a move on. This year I’ve promised myself I’m not going to buy for the sake of buying and also I’m going to try and buy gifts for the family which will be useful and not just decorative. So look out malls, I’m on my way!
Christmas eats
Have you decided on your choice of meat for Christmas? Christmas has come around so fast, I’ll be honest I’ve not even looked at one turkey yet, so have no idea of prices. I did buy a piece of gammon the other day from Woolworths and it’s still the same price per kilogram as last year, so a good buy. Lamb is also cheaper at the moment, so a roast leg of lamb with apricots will be delicious. For those who enjoy a braai on Christmas Day, choose lamb chops.
Christmas crumble – A different take on Christmas mince pies
100g Christmas mincemeat
150ml cold water
Finely grated rind of one orange
Two teaspoons Maizena
One tablespoon rum or brandy
Two teaspoons sugar
For the topping
100g butter
50g brown sugar
100g quick cook oats
150ml fresh cream
25g chopped walnuts
Method
Place the mincemeat with the cold water and orange in a saucepan. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for five minutes. Moisten the Maizena with one tablespoon water and stir into the mincemeat, add the rum or brandy and the sugar. Cook for one minute then allow to cool.
To make the topping, melt the butter in a saucepan and stir in the brown sugar and oats until well coated. Place half the oat mixture in the bottom of a trifle dish, cover with the mincemeat sauce and top with the remaining oat mixture. Whip the cream until quite thick and spread lightly over the centre of the crumble and sprinkle with the chopped walnuts.
Magical moments
Christmas is magical but it can also be a sad time for those who don’t have family or friends and who will be alone over the festive season. I encourage you to ‘adopt’ someone who is alone, even if you won’t be able to entertain them on Christmas day. Put together a few grocery items, biscuits and sweets and gift wrap a small present which they can open. It will make ‘their’ Christmas and won’t cost much. If you are able to invite them into your home for a few hours it will make a lonely soul very happy.
Well, that’s it for this year. I wish you all a very blessed Christmas and a wonderful new year. If you are travelling take care on the roads. And of course …… shop till you drop!
Julie
