When I was a little girl . . .  long about this time of year, it was not at all unusual to find me curled up on a corner of the sofa with the annual Christmas Wish Book in my lap and a pencil and paper. I'd spend hours pouring through it's pages . . . writing down all of my Christmas wishes on a long list that seemed to change from day to day . . .

I may be older and wised now . . . but I still spend this time of year dreaming about gifts that Santa might pop down my chimney . . . making wish lists . . . and hoping that dreams can come true.  You will find different things on my list these days though . . .

 Gone are dolls and toy tea sets . . . they're been replaced with far bigger fish!  I also don't pour over catalogs these days either . . . I am more  likely than not these days,  to do all of my wish book wishing on the net . . .

After all . . . Dreams cost nothing . . .

My mom has always told us to never buy her any type of food gift for Christmas. She doesn't  like them.  She freaks out if anyone gives her a box of tea and cookies . . .  I just don't understand that way of thinking . . . I would LOVE to get a food gift for Christmas and I spend hours looking at different hampers that are available on line and wishing that someone would send me one.




Today I was drooling over this year's  Christmas Hampers.  Let's face it . . . if you are going to dream at all, you might as well make it a dream worth pursuing.

There is something there for just about everyone and just about every budget . . . from Chocaholics to died in the wool devout foodies.  Ranging in price from as low as £29.95 right on up to £10,000 at the upper end of the scale . . . a bit out of my budget, but still worth a dream or two.  (Remember they cost nothing!)

 

I have fallen in love with this one, The Christmas Tuck Box.  It's on the lower end of the scale at £95 and looks like something from Hansel and Gretel!  I am crazy for Gingerbread anything, and I have fallen in love with that box and all of it's contents.  Sigh . . . Hansel and Gretel’s gingerbread house has had a Christmas makeover, stuffed with an impossibly delicious array of lollipops, jelly beans and gingerbread men.  Presented in an edible gingerbread Harrods. How utterly sweet!!  There are really quite a lot of children's hampers to choose from, including Chocolate Hampers.

 

Then there is this Santa's Little Helper Box at £100.  Oh so cute.  This is one for the kiddos, but I can tell you I would love to have this myself.  I guess I'm just a bit of a kid at heart, because those candy canes, that sweet little Christmas Tree tin and that jar full of goodies are calling to my sweeter side!  Just like a grown-up’s hamper except it's been scaled down and packed with Santa’s favourite sweet treats.




 I am loving this Daylesford Breakfast Hamper.  At £150 there is everything anyone could ever possibly want for a truly luxurious breakfast in this one. Smoked bacon from pasture-raised pigs is the star of this collection, which also includes prosecco, summer berry jam, strawberry compote, marmalade and tea.  I just adore those little egg cosies!!

 

This is a real dream worthy hamper, The Ultimate, at £5,000,  is on the more expensive end of the range, with enough indulgences to last all 12 days of Christmas, The Ultimate is a gourmet celebration of seasonal specialties – and a favourite of connoisseurs. This exclusive hamper includes Beluga caviar, 5J Iberian ham, goose foie gras with truffle, Cheddar cheese, a Rose Prince Collection Christmas pudding, Champagne and luxury crackers, all presented in a leather styled Trunk!  Wowsa!  I don't think I've been that good this year, have you???  You never know!




Something a little bit cheaper, The Gourmet Collection, at only £500.  (She faints as she says this . . . only . . . ONLY!)  Filled with Champagne, caviar and all things epicurean, The Gourmet Collection hamper has been designed with foodies in mind. The hamper also includes 5J Iberico ham, duck terrine and French saucisson with Guérande salt; a selection of international wines and cheeses completes this connoisseur’s collection.  My, my . . . how the other half lives . . . but this is a dream after all.




Liking this one too . . . The Primvs, at £125.  Italian company Primvs is renowned for sourcing foods from trusted local suppliers, and offering only products that are certified DOP, IGP and BIO – designations that guarantee the provenance and quality of the ingredients. The result of the brand’s diligence speaks for itself. The Primvs hamper contains pasta and pesto made by hand from recipes passed from generation to generation; olive oil with a subtle, fruity taste; and aged balsamic vinegar with a delicate balance of sweet and sour notes.



The Teatime Treat, £40 . . .  with English Breakfast tea, raspberry preserve and thin cut marmalade, The Teatime Treat hamper is a celebration of English tradition.

 

£29.95 . . . The Christmas Stocking, a traditional Christmas stocking featuring our favourite Harrods bear is stuffed with Santa-shaped chocolates, stars and lollipops.

There are even  Wine Hampers for the fine  wine connoisseurs on your Christmas List.  With over 70 Christmas Hampers to choose from, I do believe there is something on offer for just about anyone's budget and tastes.

There's only one question to be answered now . . .

  

However will they fit him into my box???  Sigh . . .

 

I have long been a fan of the Geeta's Premium Mango Chutney.  I love that it has texture and flavor and spices that you can really see in it. It has an authentic Indian flavour, which I love.

I have also been a fan of the cheese over here in the UK . . . there is a huge variety of cheeses . . each one individual to the area which produces it.  When I was recently contacted and asked if I would like to try Joseph Heler's new Red Leicester blended with Authentic Indian Chutney, I jumped at the chance.

Joseph Helers have teamed up with Geeta’s, the best-selling premium Indian chutney brand, to create the next big thing in the cheese world. After months of product development and innovate research, the combined efforts of Joseph Heler Cheese and Geeta’s Foods has resulted in this pioneering marriage of Indian chutney and cheese that is set to take your taste buds by storm. 

   

Not only because it comes from Cheshire (the county I live in) but also because it is a cheese which has been blended with my favourite kind of chutney!

I love cheese mixes . . . Wensleydale with Cranberries . . . Stilton with apricots . . . they have long been my favourite types of cheese, especially when served with crackers, and so I was really looking forward to taste testing this new variety.

From the Joseph Heler page:  Joseph Heler's heritage in cheesemaking stretches back for more than half a century. Located just outside the market town of Nantwich, the Joseph Heler creamery is situated in the heart of the Cheshire countryside.

Family owned and run, the company maintains a passion for its cheese-making and is totally committed to providing consumers with top quality products.  



First we tried it fresh out of the package and at room temperature with some crackers.  I have to say . . . without prejudice . . . this is one very tasty cheese.  It has a lovely spreadable texture and is so mellow.  In short, it was just lovely.  My mind started racing . . . thinking about different ways I could use it . . . although I have to say that I could have very happily just sat and ate the whole piece, just on it's own with crackers.

But this is The English Kitchen . . . and my kitchen is about cooking . . . using fresh and local produce and ingredients . . . and about pushing the boundaries of the traditional and creating new things which are traditionally NOT traditional, if you know what I mean . . .



Nothing goes together better than grilled cheese toasties and Tomato Soup . . . so I began to think about grilled cheese toasties made with this lovely cheese . . . but then . . . with a cheese with Indian flavors . . . why not a tomato soup with Indian flavors??

 

I decided to make a curried tomato soup . . . lightly spiced and warm . . . filled with the flavors of curry powder, coriander, cumin and chili . . . oh, and coconut . . . a very common curry ingredient.



And then I decided to top this lovely warm soup with some crisp little toastie croutons made with toasted bread and this lovely cheese.

 

Know what???  It all worked beautifully together and I have created a delicious new favourite.  Todd always says he doesn't like tomato soup . . . but he always loves mine.  I think that's because I always make mine that tiny little bit different than the tinned one he grew up with.

 

I mean . . . homemade is always infinitely better isn't it?



*Curried Tomato Soup*
makes 8 cups
Printable Recipe

Complex flavors and so delicious.  Light and comforting.  The perfect soup for a cold and rainy day.

1 TBS coconut oil
3 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely minced
1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
2 (400g) tins of chopped tomatoes in tomato juice (about 4 cups)
1 tsp each of curry powder and ground coriander
1/2 tsp each of ground cumin, chili powder, granulated sugar and salt
2 pints of chicken stock (4 cups)
1 (160ml) tin of coconut cream (the thick stuff, about 1/2 cup)
1/3 cup fresh coriander or parsley coarsely chopped

Optional Garnish
Little cheese toasties (I used toasted crust-less bread, cut into quarters,
topped with the Red Leicester Blended with Authentic Indian Chutney and then
grilled until oozingly melted)
Thick plain yogurt

Heat the coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium low heat until hot.  Add the garlic and onions.  Cook, stirring until softened, some 5 to 8 minutes.  Add the spices and sugar.  Cook, stirring until very fragrant.  Add the tomatoes and the chicken stock.  Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 to 25 minutes.  Stir in the coconut cream.  Cook for a further 5 minutes.  Blitz with a stick blender until smooth.  Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.  (You can also blitz in a blender.  Do take care.)  Stir in the fresh coriander or parsley.  Ladle into heated soup bowls and if using, float a couple of little cheese toasties on top.  Alternately you may garnish with a dollop of thick plain yoghurt.



Joseph Heler’s Red Leicester with Authentic Indian Chutney will hit stores from Monday 15th October and is not to be missed.

This exciting new premium cheese will be sold on Tesco Deli’s throughout the country. The flavours of chunky mango and whole spices in Geeta’s Premium Mango chutney naturally combine with our mellow yet slightly zesty Red Leicester cheese to create a perfectly balanced sweet/savoury flavour.

This blend of Indian flavors is also an extremely versatile cheese . . . delicious on naan bread pizza, melted over slow roasted tomatoes or used to create the ultimate cheese on toast . . . just some of the ways this product can be used to create the perfect dish or accompaniment.

 Many thanks to Joseph Heller and  Laura for having afforded me this most delicious opportunity.

This is my spice area, next to my stove.  I know it's a mess.  I am really cramped for space in my kitchen, which I find very frustrating and annoying.  Sometimes I just want to scream.  I bet if I told you I have about a 12 inch square work space to use, you wouldn't believe me.  But it's true . . . all the magic happens in a 12 inch square space, and sometimes I don't even have that.

That's why I was so excited when this arrived the other day!



It's called the Spice Stack!  A handy dandy plastic cabinet, guaranteed to fit in virtually all kitchen cabinets, saving valuable counter-space.  It holds 18 full size spice bottles or 36 half size bottles and includes 96 spice drawer labels.



There are 48 pre-printed and 48 blank stickers, which you can use to label the outside of Spice Stacks three drawers, which makes for even faster location and retrieval of the spices stored inside..  You can organize them alphabetically, or by frequency of use.  It's your choice!

 

It measures 8 1/2 inches in height, 8 inches in width, and is 10.88 inches deep.  To accommodate large spice collections, multiple spice stacks can be placed side by side or stacked on top of each other.




 It is white in color, which complements any kitchen decor and has non-skid rubber feet which help to hold it securely in place.



It's also durable and easy to clean with a damp cloth.

This is that same space a short time later.  I love it!  I love it so much that I am going to go out and buy myself another one!  (yes . . . sad but true, I have that many herbs and spices.  Don't judge me.)

You can get it here in the UK at Amazon, for the low price of £27.99, which includes free delivery.   That seems pretty fair to me for what it does.  (Note it does not contain the spices.)

 

Another item which I received on the same day was this Tovolo Pie Pops Baking set.

 

This all in one kit came with a Custom Pan, Press and Cut Tool, Sticks and cover for transporting.  The cover also converts to a handy display unit for showing off and serving your pie pop creations.

 

This is the pan, which is nonstick.  I found it very easy to use actually.  You just roll out your crust, cut out the rounds with the handy dandy cutter/press.



Fill, add the stick and then cover with another round and then press the mould together and it seals everything inside.  You pop them onto the baking pan and presto chango about 15 minutes later you have Pie Pops.



These would be great for a children's party and quite a novelty.  I made jam tarts with it today, and then drizzled them with a glace icing.  They look quite pretty . . . but in all honesty it's a novelty item and while I found the pie pop cutter to be very easy to use and quite useful . . . I can't really see myself using the sticks or the holder on a regular basis.  But for a novelty occasion they were quite cute.

 

You can use the little recesses in the holder to hold buttercream icing, or whipped cream . . . and other garnishes for your pie pops if you wanted to as well.



The Toddster quite enjoyed them . . . but when queried about the stick . . . he said, "What is the purpose of the stick?"  He found it hard to eat around the stick . . . and couldn't see the purpose of it.  (So like a man!)  He also didn't like that the pie fell off of the stick with the first bite.  But, if you don't mind a bit of a mess, that wouldn't be a problem.

The whole kit can be purchased at Amazon UK for £32.50, again with free delivery, or at  DrinksStuff for £29.99 plus delivery (regular price £34.99) and The Cooks Kitchen for £25.50 plus delivery.

It's also dish washer safe.  I will probably use the little cutter, sealer and baking pan often as I quite like the size of these little bites of pie.  Perfectly sized for a treat. I doubt seriously if I will use the stand or the sticks again, but the kit would make a fab Christmas or Birthday gift for the keen baker in the family.

 

Speaking of keen bakers, did your mom used to make pie crust cookies with the leftover pie dough when you were a child???  My mom used to roll all the scraps together and butter them, then fold them and butter them again.  Then she would cut them into squares and we would have them with hot bowls of soup as crackers.



Me . . . I gather them together, reroll them, butter them . . . sprinkle them with lots of cinnamon sugar, fold them over, butter them again and sprinkle them with more cinnamon sugar, and fold again, topping with a final layer of butter and sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.

 

Then I cut them into squares, place them on a parchment lined baking tray and bake them.  Sure . . . they kind of fly apart a bit . . . but that only adds to the scruminess . . .

 

Oh, and I like to add an icing drizzle as well.  So good.



Just saying!

Many thanks to Eddingtons for sending me these latest goodies to try out.

Have you ever had a day when you really didn't feel like cooking at all, or even doing much of anything??? It doesn't happen to me very often, but today was one of those days.  I am having a horrible no good rotten day.  Nothing that I can put my finger on . . . I just feel a bit blah.  Not sick . . . just a bit tired, run down . . .  and frustrated by nothing in particular . . . yet frustrated with everything, at the same time.  Grumpy.  Out of sorts.

For lunch I riffled through the fridge and put together a pizza.  There was a few bits of cheese that needed using up, some leftover cooked sausages that needed to be used, and some spring onions and black olives left from the other day when I made that Mexican dip.  They all ended up on top of the pizza . . .



and it was good . . . but it didn't chase the blues away.


And then I remembered this tea that was sent to me the other day by In Nature Teas, Purveyors of Green and White teas.  Their Green and White teas come from the Fu Jian-Anhull region in China and claim such health benefits as

• cleansing and detoxing
• Anti-oxidents
• Anti-bacterial functions
• Energy boosting and anti fatigue functions
• Anti-halitosis for good, clean breath
• Slimming and the breakdown of fats
• Anti-cancer properties - high with polyphenols

From their leaflet -
Drinking fresh pure tea gives you an abundance of natural benefits.  It's good for cleansing and detoxing, and it also provides a refreshing and tasty drink when you need a bit of time-out in your busy day.

If anyone needed a time-out . . . I needed a time out.



The variety they had sent me was the Pure White Tea, Autumn Breeze.  It came in a sturdy cardboard and foil lined tea caddy, and was enclosed in a foil bag inside the tea caddy.



From their page:

This is a very delicate and mild blend of Fujian White teas. These leaves are aged and therefore they have a mature and deep taste which is a real treat for anyone who seeks the ultimate tea experience. This is a rare and limited blend, hardly seen outside China and once reserved for Chinese emperors alone. The health benefits from the White Teas are well documented, ranging from detoxifying properties to cancer-prevention. This natural privilege is now available to you direct from In Nature.



And so I brewed a cup or two . . . and served it in my Katie Alice teacup.  And it was good.



Admittedly the crispie treats didn't hurt either.  I made them this morning, and they went down a real treat at my afternoon refreshment break.




I still don't feel like cooking . . . but I do feel a bit more cheerful and not as grumpy as I did.  The question remains . . . was it the tea, or the sugar . . . or the chocolate . . . or that pretty tea cup.

Maybe it was all of them . . .

 

*Crispie Polka Dot Treats*
Makes 12 bars
Printable Recipe

A real favourite with the kiddos, big and small, young and old!

60g unsalted butter (1/4 cup)
284g white mini marshmallows (10 ounces)
60g peanut butter (1/2 cup)
110g crisp rice cereal (5 cups)
1 (147g) bag of colored candy coated chocolate buttons (M&M's,  Smarties, etc.)

 

Butter a 9 by 13 inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.  Set aside.

Heat the butter in a large nonstick saucepan over low heat until melted.  Add the peanut butter, stirring to melt.  Add the marshmallows and continue to cook, stirring, until smooth..  Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the rice cereal to combine.  Then stir in the chocolate candies.  Press the mixture into the prepared pan, pressing it in evenly.  Cool completely until set before cutting into 3 inch square bars.

Note:  It is often easier to place the marshmallows, butter and peanut butter into a large microwaveable bowl and heat the mixture in the microwave on high, removing it and stirring it every minute or so, until the mixture is smooth and completely amalgamated.  


In Nature
teas for life  

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Thank you.

 

Did you know that this is National Chocolate Week?  I didn't until yesterday and I can't think of a more delicious week to celebrate!  As you know I LOVE CHOCOLATE, but the Toddster doesn't.  Meh . . . what do men know about such things . . .

 

I have had a cookbook entitled "Bake Me I'm Yours . . . Chocolate" in my bookcase for a while now.  It's a part of the Bake Me I'm Yours series put out  by D&C publishing.

It's a cute little book, which contains over 25 beautiful Chocolate Creations.   Written and put together by Tracey Mann, it consists of over 123 pages, and is fully illustrated with color photos throughout.  It's not a large book in size, and would easily fit inside a handbag.  Printed on quality paper and soft covered.



It's set up in convenient sections and includes all the basics you need to know about baking and decorating with chocolate as it's main theme.

 

Included are an extensive tool list so that you need never be in the dark as far as knowing what to use and when to use it.  Basic techniques are covered such as tempering chocolate and using chocolate paste.  Basic recipes are  also included for things such as chocolate sponge cake, brownies, ganache, chocolate cupcakes, amongst others.



Each recipe and technique is beautifully photographed and illustrated.



You can learn now to make perfect chocolate curls . . .

 

Be able to create fantastic Celebratory Creations!



From beautiful and simple every day cupcakes . . .



To fabulously decorated Christmas Cakes!!

If Chocolate is your thing . . . and you like to decorate and create beautiful baked goods, then this is the book for you!

Right now you can purchase it at RUCrafts for the low price of £2.99   I don't know about you, but that is pretty affordable in my opinion, not much more than the price of a hot drink in a cafe and you'll have it with you for a whole lot longer too!

bake me I'm yours . . . Chocolate
by Tracey Mann
Published by D&C (David and Charles) publishing
ISBN - 13: 978-0-7153-3764-6
ISBN - 10: 0-7153-3764-5
UK £6.99

In honor of National Chocolate week I am offering the chance for two of you to win a copy of this lovely cookery book!!  All you have to do is leave a comment in the comment section of this post and on Monday next I will use an independent number picker to pick two entries from all of the comments to receive a copy of this book, and it doesn't matter where you live.  They will ship it anywhere!  So . . . what are you waiting for?  Get commenting!!

Giveaway now closed.  Thanks for playing!