When I take the extra effort to make a pudding like this for afters . . . the Toddster is one very happy man.  There is nothing he loves more than stodge . . . and he especially loves steamed puddings . . . served up with lashings of custard of course!

I have never been much of a bread maker.   Bread and I don't get along very well, and that is kind of sad to me . . . for after all, isn't bread considered to be the "Staff of Life?"

I don't make bread, I make doorstops.  Nice, heavy, doorstops.







Point in case, yesterday . . . 

We're having a few people  over for supper tonight. I'm baking a ham that I bought from Piper's Farm and I have a Pork Pie from Piper's Farm as well, and am doing an assortment of side dishes . . .

This delicious casserole is the perfect way to use up some of the leftovers from your Christas dinner, using up some of the turkey (of course) stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, etc.   It's delicious and there is also cheese in the mix.  Oh but it is some good!

 

Merry Christmas

From

The English Kitchen 

 

Here I am with a last minute idea for a muffin you could make for Christmas morning or even on Boxing Day, using up some of the oodles of mincemeat you no doubt got in for the holidays!

I know what you are thinking  . . .  skinny mac and cheese?  Can it be possible.  Well, in all truth, there is no such thing as truly skinny mac and cheese, and a better name would probably be skinnier mac and cheese, but hey!  If you can cut the calories in a dish like this and not lose any of the flavour, and end up with a dish that still tastes somewhat indulgent, then I would say job well done!

It's not surprising when you start to add up all of the calories in all of the dishes, mains and sides, that people in the UK and other Western countries take in by eating Christmas lunch alone we are talking at a massive amount of caloric intake, for just one meal, not to mention the whole day through . . .  as the feasting begins in the morning and continues on up into the night!   I have tried to come up with a few sides this year that won't break the calorie bank, and yet are still delicious and which feel luxurious.  This Skinny Sprout and Carrot Gratin I am showing you today is one of them.

Well, the big day is just five days away. Is everyone all ready? Are all your gifts bought and wrapped? Cards written and sent?? Food ordered, puddings, cakes and pies baked?  We are now down to the crunch!

I've recently been sent some tasty savory nibbles which would be fabuous to serve with drinks at any Open House Parties or Get-togethers you might be throwing over the upcoming Holiday period.  I am running out of time and with my recent illness I have decided to tell you all about them at once.  I hope you will all forgive me!  I just want to tell you about them before you finish up all of your holiday food shopping!

 

Dell'Ugo Focaccia Italiana in two flavours . . .  Cherry Tomatoes & Basil Pesto, and Goat's Cheese & Red Onion.  These light and airy breads are like nothing currently on the market, definitely NOT dense, stodgy or greasy, they even have the traditional baker’s thumb impression on the top!

These are lovely warmed and then cut into little squares, just the perfect size for nibbles with drinks or on finger food tables or appetizer trays.

 Dell'Ugo is the longest established fresh pasta brand in the UK, creating delicious and innovative pastas since 1929. These amazing Focaccia Italiana come in three flavours Goats’ Cheese & Red Onion, Mixed Olive & Tomato and Cherry Tomatoes & Basil Pesto.

Dell'Ugo products are available in Waitrose, Wholefoods, Costco, and online at Ocado.




Wonderful Pistachios from California are perfectly seasoned for a delicious flavour with a satisfying crunch. Sun-ripened and 100% naturally opened, Wonderful only offer the largest available nuts that are equally roasted, without added oil.  This is due to their unique rotary roasting technique.


Wonderful Pistachios not only taste delicious, they are also a great all-natural, healthy snack alternative to fully enjoy while relaxing with friends and family or just by yourself. And above all, they are great fun to crack open!



Wonderful Pistachios are available in four tasty flavours:  Roasted Unsalted, Roasted Salted, Salt and Pepper, and Sweet Chili.  I am awfully fond of the Salt and Pepper ones myself and I have to say our Mitzie is just fond of Pistachios full stop!

 

Wonderful Amonds are a delicious bite sized snack.  Harvested exclusively in their California Orchards they also come in several flavours.  Roasted and Salted, Blanched and Roasted Natural.   I was sent the Roasted and Salted, which make the perfect drinks nibble.

These products are available at grocery shops throughout the UK.



 
Indulge in some Christmas magic with this new sweet and spicy Limited Edition Gingerbread popcorn from Butterkist. Perfectly popped with a deliciously warming flavour they're the perfect way to share the festive spirit.  I really like this, and at 103 calories per delicious 25g serving, it's not a bad snack.  High in fibre and whole grain.  Deliciously gingery this would make the perfect snack for all your holiday movie viewing.  (Let me say, that it can pack a bit of a wallop as some of the pieces are quite, quite gingery.)

 

 Why not treat the children to a Candyland Sweet Champions Tin over the holidays?  This 500g tin contains an assortment of some thirteen different children's favourite sweeties, and I sare say a few adults love them as well. There is a little something here for everyone and every sweet taste.  Available all over the country at a variety of retailers.



While you are at it why not pick up some stocking stuffers.  Candyland  Fruit Salad Chews and Wham Originals in 108g and 105g packets, perfectly sized for stuffing into stockings.  I have seen them in all the shops selling for about £1 each.   Made with natural flavours and colourings.

Well here we are on the last Saturday before Christmas.  Hasn't the time gone by quickly. There was ever so much I had planned on cooking this month to show you, but alas, circumstances and time have just not allowed for that, and I have to say in all honesty, the shingles have also put somewhat of a damper on that for me.  Oh well, there is always next year and I do have a couple of days that I might be able to catch up, but making no promises!  Today I wanted to show you these fabulous Cranberry and Pinenut Biscotti I baked last weekend!  I don't know about you, but I just love LOVE biscotti, and these ones are especially festive!

I was recently sent a new cookbook to review,  The Nerdy Nummies Cookbook, written by Rosanna Pansino, the creator and host of the most popular baking show on youtube.  The Nerdy Nummies is quirky, charming and fun, featuring the recipes behind Rosanna Pansino's celebrated, one-of-a-kind creations.

I was recently sent all of the ingredients to create a delicious Christmas Holiday Dessert from the people at Carte D'Or.  Christmas Pudding Sundaes.  Because of my diabetes, desserts are pretty much off the menu for me, but there is nothing at all to stop the Toddster from enjoying all the desserts he wants.  Life just isn't fair sometimes!

I was going to make a shepherd's pie with the leftovers from the roasted lamb the other day but instead I decided to make a hash, but not just any kind of hash . . .  a Lamb Samosa Hash!  Lamb is a common filling used to make Samosa's and so I thought why not make a hash which incorporates the flavours which go into a Samosa and all I can say is  . . .  GREAT CALL on my part, because it was fabulous!