Merry Christmas!

A huge Merry Christmas from myself (Roz), Brent & miss Amelia. We hope you all have a wonderful holiday and we will see you in 2012!

Cranberry & Onion Gravy

My husband made this gravy to serve with red meat the other night. Really tasty and certainly tastes like more! Just what you want at Christmas. It can be served with red & white meat. Use what ever gravy you would normally use and add to it. In general adding is always an easy way to "fancy" up your normal store bought gravy.


60g Cranberry Jelly
1 beef stock cube
1 onion, sliced fine
3 tbsp Gravy granules such as bisto
300ml water
1 tbsp olive oil


In olive oil, cook onions until soft

In a pot, bring 300ml water to boil
Add 3 tbsp gravy granules & crumble in stock cube

Stir constantly to dissolve

Once the sauce in smooth, stir in the cranberry jelly until melted

Salt & Pepper to taste

Christmas Foodie Gifts

This year my family decided to mainly buy for the kids in the family but I do like to give something as a token at Christmas. My newest obsession in food in jars so my husband and I put our heads together and came up with a few ideas. As usual I cam up with the sweet & the design, he came up with the flavours :)

The first thing I made were these Cookies for Santa jars
I have been so inspired by these on pinterest that I couldn't wait to make them. How cute to make with kiddies on Christmas Eve?! I've gone with my theme this year which is good old fashioned brown paper & string! I just love it.



These are made with layers of cookie ingredients (all dry) and the instructions for baking are on the back of the tag.

Layers from bottom to top
* 3/4 cup flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt
* 1/2 cup oats
* 2/4 cup m&ms (I used red & green)
* 1/4 cup brown sugar
* 1/4 cup white sugar
* 1/4 cup currents / chocolate chips

The tag instructions read
Add 1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
60g butter

Roll into balls & bake @ 180C for 10 mins



Next my husband made Basil Infused Olive Oil




This is made with 250ml olive and a handful of fresh Basil

Bring the oil to a low heat and add the basil. Allow it to INFUSE (see that :D) for 10mins. Remove from heat and allow to cool

Transfer to a bottle and give to someone lucky!



Last but not least is the Honey Mustard Vinaigrette



This is made with

1 tsp whole grain mustard
1 tsp Dijon mustard
80ml Vinegar
170ml Olive Oil
1 tbsp honey
Salt and Pepper to taste

Mix in all and whack it into a pretty bottle with a pretty tag

The Tag reads; "For use with salads" on the back

Krispie Kream Muffins!

For anyone who has travelled and returned to a land where you cannot buy Krispie Kream doughnuts, this will make you as happy as it made me! I saw these pop up on pinterest a LONG time ago and I have had it in my head to make them. Forgive me for having no idea where these came from but they must be passed on, created in all homes and enjoyed with a creamy cup of coffee

OK I'll admit, my kitchen did not look well after making these. There was mess EVERYWHERE. I did not enjoy cleaning BUT if you are better organised than I was at the start it will help. I've tried to include some handy ways to keep the mess down



Ingredients

Muffins

60g butter, room temp
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 2/3 cup flour
1 cup milk

Glaze

3 tbsp butter, melted
1 cup icing sugar
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp hot water



*Start by measuring everything out. Put the baking soda, baking powder & salt into
one bowl
*Put the milk into a jug with pouring spout
*Add the vanilla extract to the milk
* Pre heat oven to 200C


Start by creaming the butter & sugar
Add the vegetable oil & mix
Add the eggs

Beat well until combined

Add the baking powder, baking soda, salt mix
Mix well

For the next step you need to add both the flour & the milk a bit at a time until they are used up. You will know when you need to add the milk as you mix because the batter will become very dry & thick. Take your time & alternate between them. Start with the flour & end with the flour so that the mix will not be too wet

Line a muffin tin
Add 2 tbsp to each
I got around 20 muffins from this mix

Bake for 15 mins until golden

Rotate the tray after 7 mins to cook evenly



Once cooked, move to a wire rack to cool. If you have them in muffin cases (paper ones) remove these


Now for the delicious icing

Very simply, pop everything into a bowl/jug and mix

Dip each muffin in and coat well

Allow to set. It won't go hard but instead, will be as deliciously soft as a krispie kream doughnut yum!

Festive Cranberry Tarts

These are simple and very tasty. The beautiful deep red of the cranberry makes these perfect for a festive party.


Ingredients

1 sheet puff pastry
Jar cranberry sauce
200g cooked chicken/turkey
150g cream cheese


Pre heat oven to 200C

Cut the puff pastry sheet into squares. You can get about 24 small ones if you are using these for a party. We did this as a lunch/dinner type thing so I cut larger ones

Leaving about a 1 cm edge, spread some cream cheese on each square

Chop the cooked chicken. You don't want it too fine but you want pretty small chunks
Sprinkle it on top of the cream cheese

Add a blob of cranberry sauce


Pop into the oven on a grease proof tray for 15 mins or until the pastry is golden

Serve warm or cold

Chicken Salad in Honey Mustard Dressing

This salad is just delicious. We had it for dinner tonight and I know we will be making this again next week. It's so fresh and filling. Really really tasty. This will also work with any LEFT OVER turkey from Christmas :) Even better!

Serves 4

450g potato wedges
2 heads baby gem, shredded
6 strips streaky bacon or parma ham, chopped
300g cooked chicken/turkey, sliced
Ready made honey mustard dressing


Cook the wedges in the oven until crispy

If using bacon, fry until cooked and then chop

You can prepare two ways

* You can toss the chicken/turkey in the dressing
Mix the salad leaves and wedges
Top with the chicken and ham/bacon

Or you can do what we did which tasted amazing but is less "fancy" for guests

* Everything in a bowl, add about half a bottle of dressing and give it a gentle
toss with your hands.


Everyone enjoyed this and it's such an easy meal with very little cooking!

Chicken Pie

Serves 4

2 tbsp olive oil
500g chicken breast, diced
1 leek, white, sliced
1 carrot, peeled & sliced
1 red pepper, deseeded & chopped
2 tbsp flour
1 packet chicken soup, powder
300ml boiling water
75g frozen peas
75g sweetcorn
60ml natural yoghurt
1 sheet frozen shortcrust pastry
1 egg lightly beaten
Salt & Pepper







Heat oil in a pan and brown the chicken for 5 mins until golden

Add carrot, leek and red pepper
Cook for 4 mins until leek is soft
Add flour & stir until combined

Mix the soup with the water then add the the pan

Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 mins until the chicken is cooked

Add the sweetcorn, peas and yoghurt

Season to taste


Spoon mix into a deep pie dish or deep baking dish

Place pastry over the top and cut to size

Brush the top with beaten egg


Bake for 15 mins at 200C until pastry is golden

Whole grain Mustard sauce

For the sauce

250ml cream
2 tbsp whole grain mustard
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp cornflour with 1/2 tsp water
Pinch salt & pepper



Add both mustard into a sauce pan a dry fry to release the flavour of the mustard seeds. Do this for 1 min

Add cream & bring to the boil
Boil for 2 mins

Add the corn flour/water mix

Allow to simmer for 2 - 3 mins




Serve over pork chops with mashed potatoes and green beans

Chicken Korma

A nice way to add something extra to store bought korma sauce & it wont take any longer to cook! Bonus!

Serves 4

4 chicken breasts, diced
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp desiccated coconut
500g jar Korma sauce
3 tbsp raisins
50g dried mango, diced
Salt & Pepper
Basmati rice


Pop the rice into boiling water and cook as instructed

In a hot pan with the oil, cook chicken until golden
Add coconut and cook for 2 mins

Add korma sauce, raisins & mango
Cook for 15 mins

Season if needed

Apple Dip

Ingredients:

2 cups peeled, cored, and diced apple
2 tbsp lime juice
3 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp corn flour dissolved in 1 tsp water

For the chips
4 wheat tortillas
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar


Combine all the dip ingredients in a small pan except the corn flour mix

Heat for a few minutes until boiled and becomes watery

Add corn flour water mix

Return to the boil and allow to thicken

Set aside

This can be served hot or cold. It tastes amazing either way


Cut tortillas into triangles

Put in a slightly greased baking try and brush with the melted butter

Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar

Bake at 200C for 5 mins until golden


I found this through the wonderful pinterest and had used it for our daughters birthday. It tastes amazing!

Lobster & Guacamole Canape

3 ingredients...
Does it get any easier? You can of course use all pre made ingredients. Canned lobster, store bought guacamole and Melba toast from the pack! Simply layer as in the picture and chow down!












If you do feel like making it from scratch here is our guacamole recipe

http://mybigredkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/08/guacamole.html

Irish Stew

Serves 4

600g stewing beef
3 tbsp olive oil
3 carrots, peeled & cut into large chunks
3 onions, peeled & quatered
400ml beef stock/oxtail soup, boiled
8 potatoes, peeled & cut into chunks
1 tbsp chopped parsley
Salt & Pepper

Pre heat oven to 180C

Chop the meat into managable chunks
Heat olive oil in a pan and brown the beef

Remove the beef and add the onions and carrots to the remaining oil and cook for a minute or two.

Pop all into a crock pot/ caserole dish with the potatoes and stock. Season well. Cook for 2 hrs

Top with parsley to serve

Turkey Wraps

Serves 4

These are easy, light and tasty
Perfect for that left over turkey! Thank you BBC


4 tortillas
1 head Baby Gem, about 2 leaves pp.
6 spring onions, shredded
250g cooked turkey
1/2 cucumber, shredded
2 tbsp mayo
2 tbsp pesto


Combine the mayo and pesto and mix well









Divide baby gem, spring onion, turkey and cucumber between the tortillas

Brush some sauce over each, roll and serve

Try serving with some potato wedges

Marshmallow Pops

These are SO simple and really fun/easy for kids. My 3 year old made these for us. Even though she has been sick for weeks :( she will always help in the kitchen


You'll need;

Bag large marshmallows
Lolly pop sticks
Sprinkles
Plate
100g melted chocolate


You can let the kids do all of this. Smaller ones will need extra help with the melting of the chocolate of course, but it's best done as an easy/fun family activity

I had planned on having step by step pictures with my 3 year old showing how its done but alas she is so unwell that the camera was not her friend and she didn't feel much like smiling for me SO instead you must put up with a few line description from me


Press a lolly pop stick into each marshmallow

Dip into the melted chocolate and coat generously (it is Christmas after all)

Have your lovely assistant roll the choc mallow in the sprinkles which you have poured onto a plate

Repeat many times and pop them into the fridge to set


I've heard Santa is a fan of these ;)

Shallot & Goats Cheese Tarts

These are so tasty. You will not be able to stop eating them. They are great for a party or when having some guests over during this festive season. They can be eaten hot or cold and will the just as tasty either way. Using the store bought pastry saves time and puts a lot less stress on those of us hosting! Of course you can always bring these TO a party! Everyone will love you for it

Makes aprox. 15

12 shallots, peeled
1 roll ready made puff pastry
6 cm round cutter
25g butter
25g brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
100g goats cheese
Salt & Pepper

Pre heat oven to 200C

First cut out your circles and set aside on some baking paper

Boil shallots in water for 3 mins
Remove, drain and rinse under cold water, drain again

Heat butter in a pot with sugar. Stir until dissolved
Add shallots and season. Allow the shallots to break up a little

Set aside to cool

Add roughly 1 tbsp of shallot mix to the centre of the pastry circles. Leave an edge on each circle to allow the pastry to rise

Using your fingers, crumble some goats cheese onto each

Resist the urge to lick you fingers!

You can also sprinkle some parsley on. Its not a must but it does give an extra something if you happen to have it lying around

Brush pastry edges with egg (optional)

Pop all into the oven for 15 mins, until the pastry in golden


Please do enjoy! They taste amazing!

Shallot & Sausage Stew

Serves 4

2 tbsp olive oil
100ml Red wine
500ml chicken stock
10 shallots, peeled & whole
8 sausages, cut into chunks
1 carrot, diced
2 garlic cloves, sliced thin
1 400g tin tomatoes
Salt & Pepper
1 tbsp dried parsley (or fresh)


In a large pot, cook the shallots & sausages in olive oil for 5 mins until shallots are soft and sausages are browned

Add the carrot and cook for 3 min

Add garlic

Add tomatoes 1/2 the wine, the stock and season to taste

Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 min

Add remaining wine

If you want a very wet mix you can add more stock. Personally I like it thicker and sticky but each to their own!

Check seasoning and add parsley

Serve with mashed potatoes or crusty bread

All Butter Biscuits

A great cookie for cutters and easy to decorate!

I made these for my daughters 3rd birthday but im planning on making some Christmas ones this week. Best get out the red and green colouring!

Makes 24

90g unsalted butter
100g caster sugar
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
200g plain flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt


To decorate I used Royal icing easily made with icing sugar, water and your choice of food colouring!


Pre heat oven to 180C

Cream the butter and sugar

Add the beaten egg & vanilla essence

Combine the flour, baking powder & salt
Add to wet mix

Form a ball with the dough and wrap in cling film (saran wrap) and chill in the fridge for an hour

Once chilled roll on a lightly floured surface

Use what ever cookie cutters you like or if you have none you can cut into shapes with a knife

Bake for 10 mins

Once cooled you can ice & decorate!

Tomato soup with goats cheese & croutons

This can be made super easily with canned tomato soup, boxed croutons & goats cheese!


If you choose to make from scratch you can use our crouton recipe

http://www.mybigredkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/02/garlic-croutons.html



Tomato Soup

2 cans chopped tomatoes
1 medium onion
1 small carrot
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp tomato purée
a good pinch of sugar
1 tbsp dried basil
1 ltr hot vegetable stock

Simply wash & chop everything up, dont worry about peeling.

Add olive oil to a large pot. Add chopped veg and soften

Add remaining ingredients

Once carrots are soft, blitz with a hand blender