christmas

Mincemeat isn't a 'set' recipe. Its basically dried fruits steeped in alcohol (or fruit juice) with suet and often grated apple added. Its simple enough to make it vegan by using vegetable suet which is easily available in the UK. Indeed most jars of ready-made mincemeat seem to be vegan these...

So its the run up to the festive season and the usual questions start to be asked... Hangover cures and the usual suspects have their answers, (aka the experts)... The latest in the long line of hangover cures are as follows. the first is hydration and electrolyte balance. drink plenty of...

I thought I'd run a Christmas Competition this year. There is a prize, suitably Australian themed which I'll deliver to anywhere in the world (well I'll pay for delivery to anywhere in the world... :whistling:) To enter you need to do the following: Predict how many of the 10 eggs she is...

I am a week late for Stir Up Sunday but today I made Christmas Puddings. It got me wondering if anyone else spends hours steaming puddings for the big day? Are you a traditionalist (13 ingredients)? Do you have any rituals? Do you include a coin/charm? Is it a family recipe handed down? I...

How do you feel about Christmas records, do you have a favourite? I have a soft spot for this one

This is a short list of some side dishes that I personally MUST have at my dinner table for both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner! Being a full-time college student who also works part-time, I find it difficult to make very extravagant foods for the holidays. This list consists of all the side...

Do you make and decorate a cake for Christmas? Do you go traditional or something modern? I make fruit cakes every year and gift them to my parents, grandmother and a few friends. I’m not great at decorating so normally do something simple. I have a look at Pinterest and see if there’s...

I'm trying to make a little list of food/drink related presents that I'd like for Christmas (I also have a birthday coming up soon). Do you have a list of foodie items you would like to receive? Or perhaps you make/give foodie presents to others. Please tell! My list is thus so far: Smoke Gun...

The Mediterranean Seven Fish Carte, for Christmas Eve, has been somewhat lost its signficance amongst many who choose to do more modern menus for this special occasion .. However, in my family, we keep the traditions going and here is one of the cartes that we are in the process of discussing ...

I normally have the Christmas cake made and stored by now but this year I already have a spare fruit cake. I made a square wedding cake thinking that it would be easier for cutting up at the reception but my daughter in law preferred (demanded!) a round one so I made another one. The original...

When the Christmas movies start airing on TV there are a few I look for: My all time favorites: #1 It's a Wonderful Life Jimmy Stewart 1946 I much prefer the original, black and white version. #2 A Christmas Story 1983 We watched this the first year it aired. George was kicked...

Yep, I know its odd, but for some reason, in Australia there is a 'tradition' of celebrating Christmas in July and it is called "Christmas in July". It is now July and fast approaching the middle of winter and time to celebrate! Don't believe me...

This year Christmas day will be just the 2 of us. We have a particular ritual we like to observe. We have smart table mats, best cutlery and smart crockery which always come out at Christmas. We have 3 candle holders each with decorations at the base also set up home on the table, this year we...

I've got a friend with some really interesting dietary restrictions that mean she is having to make her own mincemeat for mince pies this Christmas. By her own admission she's not a natural cook, so switching out some ingredients with other's does not come naturally for her. she's after a...

My wife and I are the join of two large families, and between us and our immediate family members (brothers, sisters and their kids) there are 38 of us! :eek: Whilst it is great to see everyone and get together at Christmas, we have a tradition in our house of just having Christmas dinner to...

Figures compiled for BBC News suggest the average cost of a typical dinner for six has risen by 14% since 2015. Spending £64.25 on one meal will be out of the reach of many but, whether you can afford it or not, what's the best way to get a good deal ahead of the big day? BBC News spoke to food...

Hello everyone, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for 2017. I have really enjoyed developing CookingBites and wish the community all the best for continued growth in 2017, but changes in my personal circumstances mean that I have to reduce...

On the first day of Christmas, My true love said to me: “I’ve bought a a big fresh turkey and proper Christmas tree” On the second day of Christmas, much laughter could be head As we tucked into our turkey – a most delicious bird. On the third day of Christmas came the people from next door...

I've got an emergency. I am about to cook my Christmas cake. Literally about to assemble all the parts, everything is weighed out, fruit has been soaked overnight after being picked over, sugar and marg creamed, eggs not yet cracked, flour and ground nuts mixed with spices, lemon rind and...

Has anyone got a tried and tested favourite Christmas pudding recipe? I could just look online or google it but I want something that people have tried and actually use. Thanks