Saturday, 22 December 2012

on the 22nd day of Christmas blogging - baking!

A productive day today! Up to Tesco first thing to get the last fresh bits for Christmas dinner, lunch with my Mum and Chookie (tasty crayfish and sweet chilli bruscetta!) and then hitting the kitchen.
 
This little lot got turned into cranberry mincemeat. Some for gifting and some for our pud on Christmas day.

And then a necessary run through of said Chrimbo puddie. On Saturday kitchen last weekend, one of the segments involved puff pastry mincemeat stars. I cannae find the recipe anywhere but remembered enough to give it a bash. So I bought a jar of mincemeat (the cranberry stuff being in too short supply to experiment with) and me and Chook gave it a whirl.

She was a great help making pinwheels and egg washing. She did all the stirring, too, during the mincemeat making earlier.

And this is what we ended up with. They were TASTY! You get only 9 out of the packet of puff pastry but they were delish. And easy to make more if you're a piggy! The maple syrup brushed on when they are still warm is a genius idea.
 
My dad and the spouse have spent the whole day working on dad's mini and plan the same tomorrow so its up to me to finalise the festive bits. As usual. *rollseyes* I've one present left to wrap, a few plates to buy and kitten food to get. I forgot all about them (shame on me) and there's only 2 tins left of their good food and the new order won't be here til next week. Doh! So it's off to Pets at Home I go. But I think that's us - nearly there! How's the prep for the big day on your end?

11 comments:

  1. Your pinwheels look lovely! I might have to make some Christmas Rocky Road, when I get up xxx

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  2. Thankfully I'm all dine but going out today with daughter no1, who wants to buy an iPad. It's going to be so busy!!

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  3. Oooh lots going on there! Think I am ready, not 100% sure but hey ho if I havent got it now I havent got it! Have a fabulous Christmas.

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  4. Looks yummy! I'm putting off making the mince pies til tomorrow as I need to finish mum and dad's quilt today, and it's a bit of a monster at 80" square o.O

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  5. Those do look yummy! I was baking cookies yesterday and more to do today. Once more shopping trip too and then I am done.

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  6. Mum left me some mince pies in the freezer :-) Your pinwheels look fab!

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  7. I watched that programme too. Good on you for making them, they look delish!

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  8. Pinwheels look so yummy and that seems a great thing to know how to make as it lends itself to loads of different flavors!

    We are heading to Don's parents to take care of the dogs and do a dusting and hoover before they get home from Antarctica tomorrow!

    Baking is done...just need to make some corn/potato chowder and a side salad for our donation to Christmas dinner!!:)

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  9. Those stars look fab. I have mince pies in the oven as I type.

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  10. Oh my gosh, those pastries are gorgeous! Are they a Scottish tradition? I've never seen anything like them here in the US! Thanks for keeping us all entertained with your stories of your kittens and your 24 (25?) Days of Christmas blogging. I've loved it! SO, in return, here is a video of a cat that MAY be more devious than yours! (Just don't let yours watch these, or they may get ideas!) Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  11. Hope the mincemeat came out well - we handed out our jars and puddings and bits and everyone was appreciative here :)

    Look like fun stars - Princess was just complaining we'd not had cherry pies yet this year (or mince Wookie remarked) but we have a block of puff pastry in the fridge. Hmm, these may happen tomorrow.

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