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kitchen."},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/posts\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/-\/Christmas?alt=json-in-script"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/search\/label\/Christmas"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"18"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"25"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-445291918991552518"},"published":{"$t":"2016-12-19T19:45:00.002+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-03-02T18:15:26.429+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"christmas recipes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessa robins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessas family kitchen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recipe"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"stuffing"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"turkey"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Sage, Date \u0026 Pistachio Stuffing"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-cCRQ3L2lxzM\/WFg20EnlFnI\/AAAAAAAAFmU\/YcXLc3U6hgsOt0650hUDcouwChviU3mnwCLcB\/s1600\/Stuffing.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-cCRQ3L2lxzM\/WFg20EnlFnI\/AAAAAAAAFmU\/YcXLc3U6hgsOt0650hUDcouwChviU3mnwCLcB\/s1400\/Stuffing.jpg\" width=\"532\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EStuffing\u0026nbsp;greatly benefits from cooking within a turkey or chicken, but the results can be almost as tasty when the stuffing is cooked in a greased casserole dish. Sage, date and pistachio is one of my favourite stuffing combinations; herby, sweet and crunchy. To make a plain herb stuffing simply omit the date and pistachios from the recipe and add an additional 2 tablespoons of fresh, finely chopped parsley, thyme or chives.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESage, Date \u0026amp; Pistachio Stuffing\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIngredients\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E75g butter, plus a little for greasing\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E1 large onion, finely diced\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E225g white breadcrumbs\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E2 tbsp freshly chopped sage\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E8 dates, finely chopped\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E50g pistachio, shelled \u0026amp; roughly chopped\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003ESea salt and freshly ground pepper\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E \u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMethod\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EPre-heat the oven to 200°C \/fan 180°C\/gas mark 6.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EMelt the butter in a pan, and add the onions. Reduce the heat to low and cook for five minutes, until the onions are softened but not coloured.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EPlace the breadcrumbs in a bowl and add the cooked onions. Combine well and then add the sage, dates and pistachio.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EMix well to combine and season to taste.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EGrease an oven- proof dish with a little butter and add the stuffing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EPlace in the pre-heated oven for approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to get all the stuffing nice and crispy.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/445291918991552518\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=445291918991552518\u0026isPopup=true","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/445291918991552518"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/445291918991552518"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2016\/12\/sage-date-pistachio-stuffing.html","title":"Sage, Date \u0026 Pistachio Stuffing"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-cCRQ3L2lxzM\/WFg20EnlFnI\/AAAAAAAAFmU\/YcXLc3U6hgsOt0650hUDcouwChviU3mnwCLcB\/s72-c\/Stuffing.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-7153855298258280"},"published":{"$t":"2016-12-14T11:06:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-03-02T18:16:33.758+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"carrot cake"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"christmas dessert"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"christmas pudding"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"christmas recipes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"muffins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessa robins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessas family kitchen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recipe"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recipes"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Carrot Cake Puds"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-P8VadrPZiZ4\/WFEjh3b4X6I\/AAAAAAAAFl8\/mKg5lAJotCcKCZAKilYAdk3Gdd3H1opgQCLcB\/s1600\/carrot%2Bcake%2Bpuds.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-P8VadrPZiZ4\/WFEjh3b4X6I\/AAAAAAAAFl8\/mKg5lAJotCcKCZAKilYAdk3Gdd3H1opgQCLcB\/s640\/carrot%2Bcake%2Bpuds.JPG\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E   \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003EAs Christmas approaches, many thoughts are fixed on what to cook over the festive season. As much as I love fresh cream desserts, their limited shelf life can sometimes steer me away from them, and in turn encourages me to opt for a few baked goods in their place. Ones that can be served as a dessert, or pair equally well with a cuppa, are most ideal. These carrot cake muffins work as a nice alternative to Christmas pudding. Crystallised cranberries and mint leaves make for a festive topping but, alternatively, the upside-down muffins can be topped with chopped nuts of your choice. These festive muffins can be thrown together with ease, making them a great option when you've a few little helpers in the kitchen.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIngredients\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E125g wholemeal flour\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E125g plain flour\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E1 tsp baking powder\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E2 tsp ground cinnamon\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E250g light muscovado sugar\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E200g grated carrot\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"en-GB\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E75g dried prunes, finely chopped\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E4 free range eggs, lightly beaten\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E200ml sunflower or rapeseed oil\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003EFor Icing\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E150g mascarpone cheese\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E50g butter, softened\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"en-GB\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E2 tsp vanilla extract\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E300g icing sugar, sieved\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003ETo Decorate\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E1 egg white\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E125g cranberries\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E18-25 mint leaves\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"en-GB\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E50g caster sugar \u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMethod:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E1.\u0026nbsp;Preheat  the oven to 200°C\/fan 180°C\/Gas 6.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E2. Place the wholemeal flour in a large bowl and sieve in the\u0026nbsp;plain flour, baking powder, cinnamon and sugar.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E3. Add \u003C\/span\u003Ethe  carrots\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E and prunes. Stir well, with a wooden spoon, until they \u003C\/span\u003Eare  thoroughly\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E combined with the dry ingredients. If the chopped \u003C\/span\u003Eprunes  are\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E in clumps disperse through the dry ingredients using your hands.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E4. Add the  lightly beaten eggs to a jug with the oil.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003EPour the eggs and oil into the bowl and\u0026nbsp;stir well until all the ingredients are combined together.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E5. Divide  the mixture between 18 muffin cases.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E6. Bake  the muffins, in the preheated ovens, for 25 minutes and they are  risen and golden.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E7. Remove  from the oven and leave to cool on a wire tray.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"en-GB\"\u003E8. While  the muffins are cooling make the creamy topping. Put the mascarpone,  butter, vanilla extract and icing sugar into a bowl and beat  together until smooth and cre\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"en-GB\"\u003Eamy.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E9.\u0026nbsp;To prepare  the cranberries and mint leaves for decorating; in a bowl gently  whisk the egg white with a fork. Brush the cranberries and mint  leaves with a little of the egg white. Roll the cranberries in the  sugar. Then place the mint leaves flat on a plate and generously  sprinkle over the remaining caster sugar. Leave to dry for at least  15 minutes.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E10. When  the muffins have completely cooled, take each from their paper  wrapper. The muffins will be decorated upside down to give the  ‘pudding’ look.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E11. Spread  a large spoonful of the icing over each muffin and smooth, using a  palette knife.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"western\" lang=\"en-GB\" style=\"background: #ffffff; line-height: 0.48cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E12. Decorate with  the crystallised cranberries and the mint leaves, or else a generous  sprinkling of chopped hazelnuts.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cstyle type=\"text\/css\"\u003E  \u003C!--   @page { margin: 2cm }   P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm }  --\u003E  \u003C\/style\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7153855298258280\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=7153855298258280\u0026isPopup=true","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/7153855298258280"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/7153855298258280"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2016\/12\/carrot-cake-puds.html","title":"Carrot Cake Puds"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-P8VadrPZiZ4\/WFEjh3b4X6I\/AAAAAAAAFl8\/mKg5lAJotCcKCZAKilYAdk3Gdd3H1opgQCLcB\/s72-c\/carrot%2Bcake%2Bpuds.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-705133232074528886"},"published":{"$t":"2015-11-20T18:26:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-11-20T18:26:00.183+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cakes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"christmas recipes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dessert"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dinner"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ebook"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"family"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"free ebook"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"giveaway winner"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"lunch"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessa robins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessas christmas kitchen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessas family kitchen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sides"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Nessa's Christmas Kitchen Free to Download"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-70Np39lICEM\/VHTHXpgiNEI\/AAAAAAAAEok\/v5g030NHe9w\/s1600\/Cover%2BNessas%2BChristmas%2BKitchen.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-70Np39lICEM\/VHTHXpgiNEI\/AAAAAAAAEok\/v5g030NHe9w\/s1600\/Cover%2BNessas%2BChristmas%2BKitchen.jpg\" style=\"cursor: move;\" width=\"452\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIt's that time of year when our thoughts, well mine anyway, turn to what we're going to whip up in the kitchen over the festive season. Last year I put together some of my favourite festive recipes, and my wonderfully clever son, Jack, brought them together to create a mini Christmas eBook. The recipes included are fresh updates on some of the traditional holiday\u0026nbsp;favourites, and I really hope that these recipes will be enjoyed at your family table, as much as they're enjoyed at mine.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-rwVaae-lB3I\/Vk9fswWn8XI\/AAAAAAAAFJU\/XTbX1QvL6xU\/s1600\/Ng7Y-db3g9LY3DcFKaPb_4jdlpx29MVTtnsfD3-DVfI.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-rwVaae-lB3I\/Vk9fswWn8XI\/AAAAAAAAFJU\/XTbX1QvL6xU\/s640\/Ng7Y-db3g9LY3DcFKaPb_4jdlpx29MVTtnsfD3-DVfI.jpeg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E Nessa's Christmas Kitchen, is fully illustrated with colour photos and it includes 14 easy-to-follow recipes.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERecipes Include:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPotato Cakes with Smoked Irish Salmon\u003Cbr \/\u003EPoached \u0026amp; Butter-Basted Turkey Breast\u003Cbr \/\u003ESage, Date \u0026amp; Pistachio Stuffing\u003Cbr \/\u003ECreamy Potato \u0026amp; Leek Gratin\u003Cbr \/\u003EMulled Berry Trifle\u003Cbr \/\u003ELemon Meringue Pudding\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/uc?export=download\u0026amp;id=0B6yJ367QthHrNnppajQ5R19lemc\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-oC5cOJN5798\/VHDZIjd0vQI\/AAAAAAAAEnc\/_t3l2MEECpk\/s400\/pdfdownload.png\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003EThe winner of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.ie\/2015\/11\/giveaway-k-club-cookbook-producer-to.html\"\u003EThe K Club Cookbook\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003Eis\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003EColette {\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003Ecomment number one}.\u003Cspan style=\"text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;Thank you so much to everyone who entered the give-away.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/705133232074528886\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=705133232074528886\u0026isPopup=true","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/705133232074528886"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/705133232074528886"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2015\/11\/nessas-christmas-kitchen-free-to.html","title":"Nessa's Christmas Kitchen Free to Download"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-70Np39lICEM\/VHTHXpgiNEI\/AAAAAAAAEok\/v5g030NHe9w\/s72-c\/Cover%2BNessas%2BChristmas%2BKitchen.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-332906263808098916"},"published":{"$t":"2014-09-22T17:33:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-08T13:18:48.653+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"autumn"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"blackberry"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"brandy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cocktail"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"foraging"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"GIY"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"liqueur"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessa robins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessas family kitchen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recipe"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"store cupboard"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"treat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"vitamin c"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A Seasonal Treat - Blackberry Brandy "},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-MNbEqCpwQsQ\/VCBDRfAcs-I\/AAAAAAAAEfk\/nGFDjDyv5kU\/s1600\/IMG_9888%2Bresized.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"800\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-MNbEqCpwQsQ\/VCBDRfAcs-I\/AAAAAAAAEfk\/nGFDjDyv5kU\/s1600\/IMG_9888%2Bresized.jpg\" width=\"530\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: inherit; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003EAt this time of the year, countrywide, the hedgerows are sparkling with free autumnal berries. Sloes, rosehips and elderberries are all making an appearance, but it’s the bountiful blackberry that takes centre stage for most foragers. This autumn there seems to be an abundance of berries free for the picking. Rich in antioxidants and packed with vitamin C, these luscious berries are best eaten straight from the bush. They do, nonetheless, make the juiciest of fillings for tarts, pies and crumbles.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-idt6QH3-VfE\/VCBDxVxYphI\/AAAAAAAAEf0\/My5HtVw3wHI\/s1600\/IMG_9997%2Bresized.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"800\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-idt6QH3-VfE\/VCBDxVxYphI\/AAAAAAAAEf0\/My5HtVw3wHI\/s1600\/IMG_9997%2Bresized.jpg\" width=\"530\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003ESome evenings there is neither the time nor the need for indulging in puddings, so on that particular evening, where a good bounty of blackberries have been retrieved, I take the opportunity to make my annual Blackberry Brandy. As sophisticated as it may sound it is incredibly easy to make. Freshly picked blackberries, sugar, brandy and ideally a kilner jar are all that is needed to create this deliciously fruity liqueur. However, you do need a little patience, as it will be a number of weeks before you get to sample a sip of this tipple. When made in mid-autumn, this blackberry brandy will be ready just in time to serve at a Christmas feast. It can\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003Ebe drank with just ice, included in a cocktail mixture {I would love some suggestions, on this one} or used as a rather impressive pudding ingredient. After straining the brandy an added bonus are the beautifully preserved blackberries, which are perfect to be used in a Christmas pudding mixture or simply served over pancakes with a dollop of yogurt, as a very grown up breakfast treat.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZO-PDvDMmn4\/VCBDwMzKjFI\/AAAAAAAAEfs\/f1X623JmIyE\/s1600\/IMG_9891%2Bresized.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"800\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZO-PDvDMmn4\/VCBDwMzKjFI\/AAAAAAAAEfs\/f1X623JmIyE\/s1600\/IMG_9891%2Bresized.jpg\" width=\"530\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; page-break-after: avoid; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EBlackberry Brandy\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; page-break-after: avoid; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EIngredients\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E250g blackberries\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E125g caster sugar\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E400mls brandy\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; page-break-after: avoid; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EMethod\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; page-break-after: avoid; text-indent: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E1.\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003ESterilise      a medium sized kilner jar or a large, wide-necked jar.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; page-break-after: avoid; text-indent: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E2. Very      carefully wash the blackberries, then dry them using a paper towel.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; page-break-after: avoid; text-indent: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E3.Place      the blackberries in the jar and top with the sugar. Pour over most of the      brandy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; page-break-after: avoid; text-indent: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E4. Close      the lid and gently shake the jar, helping the sugar to dissolve and      topping up with the brandy as it sinks into the berries.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; page-break-after: avoid; text-indent: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E5. Place      the jar in a cool, dark place and take it out daily, for the first 2      weeks, to give it a little shake. After this, just give it a shake once a      week for 6 weeks. The blackberry brandy can then be left at the back of a      dark press for another few weeks.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; page-break-after: avoid; text-indent: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E6. When      ready to use, strain the brandy, using a muslin-lined sieve, into another sterilised bottle or jar and      reserve the berries, which can be used as part of a dessert or popped into      a glass as a tasty addition to a blackberry based cocktail. The strained      blackberry brandy can be kept in a cool, dark place for at least a year.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/332906263808098916\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=332906263808098916\u0026isPopup=true","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/332906263808098916"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/332906263808098916"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2014\/09\/a-seasonal-treat-blackberry-brandy.html","title":"A Seasonal Treat - Blackberry Brandy "}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-MNbEqCpwQsQ\/VCBDRfAcs-I\/AAAAAAAAEfk\/nGFDjDyv5kU\/s72-c\/IMG_9888%2Bresized.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-5841429581898878158"},"published":{"$t":"2013-12-24T08:46:00.003+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-08T12:58:40.767+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"biscuit"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cookies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ginger"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessa robins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessas christmas kitchen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessas family kitchen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recipe"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"santa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"shortbread"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Something for Santa"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb style=\"text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lKp15NDvKE0\/UrlHLeZ_XHI\/AAAAAAAAD0I\/RPTNcSFDRm0\/s1600\/IMG_4303+resized.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lKp15NDvKE0\/UrlHLeZ_XHI\/AAAAAAAAD0I\/RPTNcSFDRm0\/s3200\/IMG_4303+resized.jpg\" height=\"800\" width=\"530\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EOnce school breaks for the Christmas holidays the children have a long ‘to do list’ that must be completed before the big day. Near the top of this list, and one tradition that we always maintain, is the baking of festive treats each year. Even when they were toddlers they would love to help with any baking related activity. When better to spend some time together in the kitchen than over the Christmas season. Something simple to make, such as a batch of these shortbread ginger biscuits, are perfect for little hands to make and decorate. The biscuits can either be threaded with a thin ribbon and hung on the Christmas tree, or pop them into a pretty box as a festive edible present for a loved one. However I’ve had it on good authority that Santa is rather fond of a good shortbread biscuit, especially when served with a glass of cold milk. \u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-morP9JfyJOw\/UrlHGG1T9AI\/AAAAAAAADz8\/KfpSPhQmpmE\/s1600\/IMG_4301+resized.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-morP9JfyJOw\/UrlHGG1T9AI\/AAAAAAAADz8\/KfpSPhQmpmE\/s3200\/IMG_4301+resized.jpg\" height=\"800\" width=\"530\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EShortbread Ginger Biscuits\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIngredients\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E225g plain flour\u003Cb\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E75g soft brown sugar\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E2 tsp ground ginger\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E150g butter\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ETo decorate\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWriting icing\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIcing sugar\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E1.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003EPreheat \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003Ethe oven to 200°C\/fan 180°C\/Gas 6.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E2.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; S\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003Eieve the flour, sugar and ginger into a large bowl. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E3.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003EGather the mixture together. Turn out onto a floured board and knead the dough lightly. Roll out the dough to the thickness of a euro coin. Cut into shapes using festive cutters. Keep re-rolling the cut-offs into shapes until all the dough is used up.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E4.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003EPlace on a lightly floured baking tray. Using a skewer make a hole at the top of each biscuit. Bake until golden or pale brown for 8–12 minutes, depending on their thickness.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E5.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003ERemove from the oven. Check with a skewer that the hole at the top of each biscuit hasn’t covered over. Cool on a wire rack.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E6.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.8pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003EWhen completely cooled decorate using some writing icing. Thread with a thin ribbon and dust with some icing sugar.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NVoETyXrB5Y\/UrlHH0Qk2BI\/AAAAAAAAD0E\/0i1b9C2va-g\/s1600\/IMG_4284+resized.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NVoETyXrB5Y\/UrlHH0Qk2BI\/AAAAAAAAD0E\/0i1b9C2va-g\/s3200\/IMG_4284+resized.jpg\" height=\"800\" width=\"530\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAs it's Christmas Eve you\u0026nbsp;probably have your Christmas menu sorted, however if you're looking for a little festive recipe inspiration have a read through \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/issuu.com\/newislandbooks\/docs\/nessa_s_christmas_kitchen_final_low\/1?e=10051612\/5802841#\" style=\"background-color: white; font-family: inherit;\"\u003Emy Christmas Ebook\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003EThe past year has been a busy one for me,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white;\"\u003Eespecially\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;since the release of Apron Strings. I would like to give a\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white;\"\u003Eheartfelt\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;thank you to you, the\u0026nbsp;readers of Nessa's Family Kitchen, for your continued support.\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;I would also like to wish you all a happy and healthy Christmas, and the best of wishes for 2014. See you in the new year. Kind Wishes. Nessa xx\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5841429581898878158\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=5841429581898878158\u0026isPopup=true","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/5841429581898878158"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/5841429581898878158"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2013\/12\/something-for-santa.html","title":"Something for Santa"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lKp15NDvKE0\/UrlHLeZ_XHI\/AAAAAAAAD0I\/RPTNcSFDRm0\/s72-c\/IMG_4303+resized.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-223902977633057446"},"published":{"$t":"2013-12-04T11:43:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-12-04T11:43:21.154+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"apron strings"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book signing"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"easons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessa robins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessas family kitchen"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Book Signing in Easons  "},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIf you are in Athlone this Saturday, 7\u003Csup\u003Eth\u003C\/sup\u003E December, pop into Easons. I’ll be there signing copies of my book, ‘\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/test209.webs.com\/\"\u003EApron Strings -Recipes from a Family Kitchen\u003C\/a\u003E’. Even if you already have a copy of the book call in and say hello, as I’ll be available to answer any of your culinary questions from 11.30am - 1.30 pm. I may also have a few sweet treats to offer.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;,\u0026quot;serif\u0026quot;; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-2SutjiWc6Fs\/Up3F3keMiCI\/AAAAAAAADx8\/v2QcnpWlBM4\/s1600\/IMG_0451+resized.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"266\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-2SutjiWc6Fs\/Up3F3keMiCI\/AAAAAAAADx8\/v2QcnpWlBM4\/s400\/IMG_0451+resized.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;,\u0026quot;serif\u0026quot;; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EJust to remind you, there is still time to enter the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.ie\/2013\/12\/keoghs-christmas-hamper-giveaway.html\"\u003Egive-away for the Keogh's Farm\u003C\/a\u003E. I will be announcing the winner on Friday.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/223902977633057446\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=223902977633057446\u0026isPopup=true","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/223902977633057446"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/223902977633057446"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2013\/12\/book-signing-in-easons.html","title":"Book Signing in Easons  "}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-2SutjiWc6Fs\/Up3F3keMiCI\/AAAAAAAADx8\/v2QcnpWlBM4\/s72-c\/IMG_0451+resized.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-3700953396933192068"},"published":{"$t":"2012-12-21T22:01:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-08T12:58:40.693+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"brie"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cranberry"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cranberry sauce"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"family"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessa robins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessas family kitchen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"new year"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"pear"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recipe"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"salad"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"starter"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"walnut"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Christmas Starter - Deep Fried Brie with a Pear \u0026 Walnut Salad and Cranberry Sauce"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EChristmas dinner can sometimes seem like rather a stressful affair. In years gone by I often found myself spending the best part of two days preparing and cooking for one meal. But eventually I\u0026nbsp;realised that after all what is it only a family dinner, like I make every other day, but with a few special\u0026nbsp;extras. I know many are beginning to steer away from the traditional turkey dinner, but for me turkey with all the trimmings is the meal I most look forward to over the Christmas season. I always serve gravy, bread sauce and cranberry sauce with the christmas dinner. I posted my favourite \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.ie\/2011\/12\/bread-sauce.html\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ebread sauce\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E recipe last year, if you would like to try it out. I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do. Of course a very important part of any turkey and ham dinner is a good serving of stuffing. This year I will make the same as last, my \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.ie\/2011\/12\/sage-date-pine-nut-stuffing.html\"\u003ESage, Date \u0026amp; Pine Nut Stuffing\u003C\/a\u003E;\u0026nbsp;covered with homemade\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003Egravy\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;I could eat this as a meal in itself!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI'm all for preparing some of the dishes well before a big event. Any sauce or gravy will freeze perfectly, only to be taken from the freezer\u0026nbsp;Christmas\u0026nbsp;Eve, popped in the fridge and then reheated just before serving Christmas dinner. Cranberry sauce can be made in advance and doesn't even need to be frozen, as it will keep perfectly in the fridge for 3-4 weeks. I love a good dollop of some sweet and tangy cranberry sauce served alongside any white meat but it also makes a fantastic dipping sauce for breaded brie, which happens to be my boy’s starter of choice for Christmas day.\u003Cspan style=\"text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;This is a luxuriously delicious dish that would serves well as a starter but it also quite good as a\u0026nbsp;canapé\u0026nbsp;for a Christmas drinks party, minus the salad.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;The brie can be prepared early in the day and refrigerated until needed. Just two small pieces of brie would be completely sufficient as a starter. After all it is the appetiser to what is normally considered a day’s worth of calories on one plate.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-3HUKejAt26Y\/UNTX6O-ciSI\/AAAAAAAADBI\/YtmCOTrR-Pw\/s1600\/IMG_7967b.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-3HUKejAt26Y\/UNTX6O-ciSI\/AAAAAAAADBI\/YtmCOTrR-Pw\/s640\/IMG_7967b.jpg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIngredients\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E300g Brie, cut into 8 wedges, with most of the thick skin trimmed off\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E2 eggs, beaten\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ESeasoned flour\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E80g Paxo golden breadcrumbs\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EVegetable oil for deep frying\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: -18.0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cb style=\"text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EMethod\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-indent: 0px;\"\u003E1. Dip the Brie wedges first in the flour then in the beaten egg, then in the breadcrumbs and again in the egg and again in the breadcrumbs. Fill a wok one-quarter-full of vegetable oil and heat to 180C(fan)\/390F\/gas mark 6 or use a deep fat fryer.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-indent: 0px;\"\u003E2.The oil is ready when you drop a breadcrumb in and it sizzles. (CAUTION: hot oil is dangerous; do not leave unattended).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-indent: 0px;\"\u003E3.When the oil is ready, add the breaded Brie and deep fry until golden brown on each side and the cheese has melted in the centre -about 2-3 mins. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFor Salad:\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E100g mixed salad leaves\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E1 ripe pear, cut into slices\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E25g walnuts, roughly chopped\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E½ red onion, finely sliced\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E1 tbsp salad dressing of choice\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ETo Serve:\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EPlace the salad leaves, sliced pear, chopped walnuts and finely sliced onion into a small bowl.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EDrizzle with a little salad dressing.\u0026nbsp;Divide between four plates.\u0026nbsp;\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EServe with the Deep Fried Brie and a large spoonful of the cranberry sauce{homemade or shop bought} on the side.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECranberry Sauce\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EThe cranberry sauce can of course be shop bought however as it is so easy to make,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003EI'd\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;recommend to make a little jar of the homemade variety.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;The sauce can be kept plain if preferred but I like to have a citrus kick from mine.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;If you are planning to serve this alongside the brie and the turkey, then make double\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;quantity.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003EIngredients\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -18pt; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 350g fresh\/frozen cranberries\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -18pt; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 200g caster sugar\u0026nbsp;\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -18pt; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 75ml water\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -18pt; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Zest of ½ an orange\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -18pt; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-GB\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 50ml Cointreau\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EPut the cranberries, sugar, water and orange zest into a saucepan and let it bubble away until the berries start to pop, stirring regularly with a wooden spoon, which will take about 10 minutes. Give the sauce a good stir and crush down any remaining full berries. Stir in the Cointreau. Carefully taste a little of the sauce, to check whether it needs more sugar. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool.  If cooked a few days in advance, reheat a little and give the sauce a good mashing with a fork before serving.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThis post and recipe were published in The Westmeath\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003EIndependent\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;on the Dec 5th.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3700953396933192068\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=3700953396933192068\u0026isPopup=true","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/3700953396933192068"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/3700953396933192068"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2012\/12\/christmas-starter-deep-fried-brie-with.html","title":"Christmas Starter - Deep Fried Brie with a Pear \u0026 Walnut Salad and Cranberry Sauce"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-3HUKejAt26Y\/UNTX6O-ciSI\/AAAAAAAADBI\/YtmCOTrR-Pw\/s72-c\/IMG_7967b.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-6373448440206104025"},"published":{"$t":"2012-11-18T09:12:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-08T13:29:05.072+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"baking"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"christmas party"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cointreau"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"entertaining"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"family"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gift"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Irish"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"mincemeat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"mincepies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessa robins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessas family kitchen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"raisins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recipe"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"store cupboard"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sultanas"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Orange \u0026 Pecan Mincemeat - Mince Pies"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EOnce the hullabaloo of Halloween has passed the children eagerly begin their Christmas countdown. Santa lists are written and rewritten many times, but never quite finalised until \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/j.mp\/XnM18B\"\u003EThe Late Late Toy Show\u003C\/a\u003E has aired. This is normally the first Friday in December but this year is the last Friday in November, which should leave Santa enough time to make all the\u0026nbsp;necessary\u0026nbsp;gifts, in time for the big day. My own Christmas countdown normally begins too after Halloween. November for me is a month for baking; puddings, the Christmas cake and mincemeat all benefit greatly from being made early and left to mature over a few weeks. Individually none of these are too great a task to undertake, but each can give a wonderful\u0026nbsp;sense\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;accomplishment\u0026nbsp;on Christmas week. If you have a little time on your hands and would like to get ahead with your Christmas gift list, I'm certain that a homemade pudding, cake or jar of mincemeat would be greatly appreciated by a loved one at Christmas.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TISLNumGmpc\/UKijkDPX2OI\/AAAAAAAAC9Y\/ODrOjew-w60\/s1600\/IMG_7933+resized.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TISLNumGmpc\/UKijkDPX2OI\/AAAAAAAAC9Y\/ODrOjew-w60\/s640\/IMG_7933+resized.jpg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EOnly in recent years\u0026nbsp;have\u0026nbsp;I started to enjoy mince pies. A pastry case overfilled with boozy fruit never really cut it for me, that is until I started to sample a few homemade varieties. My mother in law is quite the expert at making pastry so a couple of Christmas ago we made a deal, that she would make the pastry and I would make a suitable mincemeat filling for mince pies, to serve at a family get together. These turned out splendidly and each Christmas since I've made these to accompany some festive mulled wine. The quality of the pastry must be good but most importantly the quality of\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;mincemeat is\u0026nbsp;crucial. I love anything a little zesty, so with added orange zest and some\u0026nbsp;Grand Marnier or Cointreau, these little\u0026nbsp;treats\u0026nbsp;are rather pungent with orange flavours. I greatly welcome nuts, of any variety, in a pie or tart so a few pecan nuts are in the\u0026nbsp;mincemeat, but these can be replaced with walnuts if you prefer. The uncooked mince pies will freeze very well.\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;Open-freeze the uncooked mince pies in their trays, then knock each one out and store in freezer bags. To cook, replace the desired amount of pies in a bun tin. When cooking from frozen, allow an extra 10 minutes cooking time.\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFor all the non\u0026nbsp;mince pie\u0026nbsp;eaters I'd urge you to give these a try, as you may be surprised by how much you actually like them!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-tpGA07qkKH0\/UKijmGQ1s9I\/AAAAAAAAC94\/P_NJTwqKH1U\/s1600\/IMG_7947+resized.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-tpGA07qkKH0\/UKijmGQ1s9I\/AAAAAAAAC94\/P_NJTwqKH1U\/s640\/IMG_7947+resized.jpg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIngredients\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E300g (12oz) raisins\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E300g (12oz)\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;sultanas\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ejuice 1 orange\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E6 tablespoons Grand Marnier or Cointreau\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E175g (6oz) pecans or walnuts, toasted, roughly chopped\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E200g (8oz) butter, melted\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E175g (6oz) candied peel, {mixed or orange} finely chopped\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Efinely grated zest 2 oranges\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E175g (6oz) light muscovado sugar\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E1 large Bramley apple,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003Efreshly grated\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EMethod\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Col start=\"1\" style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ESoak the raisins and sultanas in the orange juice and Grand      Marnier or Cointreau for a couple of hours or so until the liquid is all soaked up. I normally leave      overnight for maximum soakage.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAdd in all the remaining ingredients and combine well. Spoon into sterilised      jars, seal tightly, then store in the fridge until ready to use. The\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003Emincemeat will\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; keep in\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003Ethe\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;fridge for up to 2 months.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-fqeTjad8JyY\/UKijiySiJmI\/AAAAAAAAC9w\/EvN7eKW9swU\/s1600\/IMG_7936+resized.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-fqeTjad8JyY\/UKijiySiJmI\/AAAAAAAAC9w\/EvN7eKW9swU\/s640\/IMG_7936+resized.jpg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMince Pies\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;- Sweet Pastry\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIngredients\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E180g\/7oz plain flour\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E75g\/3oz ground almonds\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E25g\/1oz caster sugar\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFinely grated rind of 1 orange\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Epinch of salt\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E140g\/5oz butter, chilled and cut into small cubes\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E1 large egg, beaten\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EMethod\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Col start=\"1\" style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ESift the flour into a bowl and mix in ground almonds, orange rind,      caster sugar and a pinch of salt.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ERub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAdd the egg and mix into the flour with a knife, then gather into a      ball using your hands.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EPreheat the oven to 200c\/400f\/gas6.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EOn a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough and line a bun-case. Spoon in the mincemeat. Top each with a pastry disc.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EBrush with a little beaten egg or milk and bake for 15-20 mins.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-8PoA5ZLvGeE\/UKijoiZfCzI\/AAAAAAAAC98\/sLoZHL6OlqA\/s1600\/IMG_7954+resized.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-8PoA5ZLvGeE\/UKijoiZfCzI\/AAAAAAAAC98\/sLoZHL6OlqA\/s640\/IMG_7954+resized.jpg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6373448440206104025\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=6373448440206104025\u0026isPopup=true","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/6373448440206104025"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/6373448440206104025"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2012\/11\/orange-pecan-mincemeat-mince-pies.html","title":"Orange \u0026 Pecan Mincemeat - Mince Pies"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TISLNumGmpc\/UKijkDPX2OI\/AAAAAAAAC9Y\/ODrOjew-w60\/s72-c\/IMG_7933+resized.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-7551546610114635893"},"published":{"$t":"2012-11-15T09:41:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-11-21T21:51:17.794+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"competition"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"giveaway"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hamper"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"keoghs crisps"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"keoghs farm"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessa robins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nessas family kitchen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"treats"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Christmas Crisps Hamper Giveaway "},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003EI have mentioned here, on many an occasion, that I'm a huge fan of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.keoghs.ie\/\"\u003EKeogh's \u003C\/a\u003E range of crisps. The new variety has hit the shelves, just in time for the festive season. Very similar to Violet tasting the 3-meal chewing gum\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;in Willy W\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003Eonka's\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;Chocolate Factory, these\u0026nbsp;Roast Turkey and Secret Stuffing Crisps were for me the nearest thing you could get to Christmas dinner in a bag.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; border: none; margin-left: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWith the help of Dustin the Turkey,\u0026nbsp;Keogh's\u0026nbsp;launched the new variety last week. Innovative and entrepreneurial\u0026nbsp;Keogh's\u0026nbsp;Farm are bringing the taste of the much loved Christmas dinner to all occasions with their mouth-watering festive Roast Turkey and Secret Stuffing hand-cooked potato crisp. The Secret Stuffing in the crisps is a closely guarded secret family recipe that has been handed down from generation to generation and uses only the finest ingredients grown in their farmhouse herb garden in North County Dublin.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; border: none; margin-left: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net\/hphotos-ak-ash4\/314108_404273386312446_435354714_n.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"313\" src=\"http:\/\/sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net\/hphotos-ak-ash4\/314108_404273386312446_435354714_n.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; border: none; margin-left: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EKeogh's\u0026nbsp;Farm are the only on-farm producers of hand cooked Irish potato crisps in Ireland and the only potato growers in the world who offer fresh potatoes and potato crisps from the same farm side by side in stores both around the country and around the world, having recently secured space in American gourmet chain Dean \u0026amp; DeLuca.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; border: none; margin-left: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; border: none; margin-left: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EKeogh's\u0026nbsp;Roast Turkey and Secret Stuffing crisps will also feature the ever-popular ‘Spud Nav’ through which the consumer can trace their bag of crisps back to the field it came from, by entering the field name - which is printed on each bag into the ‘Spud Nav’ page on the\u0026nbsp;Keogh's\u0026nbsp;web site,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.keoghs.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: blue;\"\u003Ewww.keoghs.ie\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg height=\"400\" src=\"http:\/\/sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net\/hphotos-ak-snc7\/599011_404202916319493_1583305897_n.jpg\" width=\"297\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EThis competition is now over. Winner will be announced tomorrow - 19th November.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; border: none; margin-left: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; border: none; margin-left: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cstrike\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI'm teaming up with Keogh's Farm to give a lovely festive Christmas Crisps hamper, packed with lots of goodies, to one of my readers. To be in with a chance of winning either leave a comment below or retweet my tweet about this giveaway on twitter - \u0026nbsp;my twitter handle is\u0026nbsp;\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/twitter.com\/Nessa_Robins\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strike\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; border: none; margin-left: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cstrike\u003EAll names will be put in the hat and the winner will be picked on the 18th \u0026nbsp;November.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strike\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; border: none; margin-left: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cstrong style=\"line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;\"\u003ETERMS AND CONDITIONS\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;\"\u003E:\u0026nbsp;you must be a resident of Ireland (north or south); you must be over 18; no cash alternative is possible, the competition will close\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"line-height: 17px;\"\u003Eat\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E6pm on\u0026nbsp;Sunday 18th \u0026nbsp;November\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"line-height: 17px;\"\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003EAll entered names will be put in the hat\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;and t\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"line-height: 17px;\"\u003Ehe winner will be picked at\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"line-height: 17px;\"\u003Erandom and will be contacted on Monday 19th November.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; border: none; margin-left: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EBest of luck!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7551546610114635893\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=7551546610114635893\u0026isPopup=true","title":"40 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/7551546610114635893"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/7551546610114635893"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2012\/11\/christmas-crisps-hamper-giveaway.html","title":"Christmas Crisps Hamper Giveaway "}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"40"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-7244036394320707513"},"published":{"$t":"2012-01-03T20:47:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-08T14:41:49.838+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"baking"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"brownies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"butter"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"celebrations"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chocolate"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cooking with kids"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dessert"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"kids"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recipe"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sweets"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"treat"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Celebration Brownies"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-CVuIefVx2FM\/TwNjgCNvmyI\/AAAAAAAAB5g\/4ZA9wZ7sZ8E\/s1600\/IMG_7164+RESIZED.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"266\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-CVuIefVx2FM\/TwNjgCNvmyI\/AAAAAAAAB5g\/4ZA9wZ7sZ8E\/s400\/IMG_7164+RESIZED.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhen one thinks of Christmas leftovers turkey and ham naturally springs to mind, but I have found that the ever popular tins of chocolates can often still be found in our press well into the new year. As a child the first sight of these in a shop was a sure indication that Christmas was approaching and the unveiling of this tin of goodies on Christmas Eve always\u0026nbsp;guaranteed excitement in the house.\u0026nbsp;Somehow I'm actually a little\u0026nbsp;disappointed\u0026nbsp;that these boxes of chocolates and tins of biscuits are now available to buy year round.\u0026nbsp;What use to be a seasonal luxury has now become a very affordable treat, that can can be bought\u0026nbsp;any time\u0026nbsp;of the year. During the festive season there are always a few open tins of chocs lurking around\u0026nbsp;everyones'\u0026nbsp;house. I know most will enjoy a few with a cuppa but I find them very handy to use in my baking. I often chop them up and use them as a topping for a chocolate cake or sometimes add them into a chocolate biscuit mix to create a rocky road, of sorts. In this recipe I am using my basic brownie mixture and adding the chunks of sweets just before baking. I used a combination of Mars Celebrations sweets, which worked out really nicely as each little square of brownie had it's own unique flavour.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jXX5Yy854GA\/TwNlis7BbJI\/AAAAAAAAB50\/aejENktxqoY\/s1600\/IMG_7166+RESIZED.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jXX5Yy854GA\/TwNlis7BbJI\/AAAAAAAAB50\/aejENktxqoY\/s640\/IMG_7166+RESIZED.jpg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECelebration Brownies\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIngredients\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E125g (4.5oz)dark chocolate,70% cocoa, in chunks\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E150g (5oz)butter\u003Cbr \/\u003E3 large eggs\u003Cbr \/\u003E300g (11oz)caster sugar\u003Cbr \/\u003E100g (4oz)self raising flour\u003Cbr \/\u003E125g (5oz)celebration sweets, chopped\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMethod:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E1.Preheat the oven to 180°C(fan)\/390f\/gas mark 6.\u003Cbr \/\u003E2.Grease a 20x20 baking tin with butter and cut a piece of baking parchment to fit the bottom.\u003Cbr \/\u003E3.Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over a saucepan of hot water.\u003Cbr \/\u003E4.While melting mix the eggs and sugar in a mixer.\u003Cbr \/\u003E5. Fold in the flour. Add the butter\/chocolate mix.\u003Cbr \/\u003E5.Fold together, be careful not to\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan class=\"blsp-spelling-error\" id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_2\"\u003Eovermix\u003C\/span\u003E. Stir in the chopped chocolates.\u003Cbr \/\u003E6.Pour into the cake tin and cook for \u0026nbsp;about 30 minutes They should have a crust on but still be a bit wobbly.\u003Cbr \/\u003E7.Cool and cut into squares, dust with some icing sugar.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003EThis recipe was featured in Nov\/Dec 2011 issue of Easy Parenting.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7244036394320707513\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=7244036394320707513\u0026isPopup=true","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/7244036394320707513"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/7244036394320707513"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2012\/01\/celebration-brownies.html","title":"Celebration Brownies"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-CVuIefVx2FM\/TwNjgCNvmyI\/AAAAAAAAB5g\/4ZA9wZ7sZ8E\/s72-c\/IMG_7164+RESIZED.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-3827357062915900644"},"published":{"$t":"2011-12-23T09:42:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-08T14:43:07.294+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"bread"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"breadcrumbs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dinner"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"onion"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recipe"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sauce"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Bread Sauce"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"With tomorrow being Christmas Eve all the baking is taken care of, the house is decorated, the presents are wrapped and now our thoughts will be turning to the main event, Christmas Dinner - the most\u0026nbsp;anticipated\u0026nbsp;meal of the year. Times have changed and no longer are\u0026nbsp;shops closed for a week after Christmas, yet we all still tend to pack our fridges and presses tightly in preparation for this memorable meal. In most families there is generally one who takes on the task of the Christmas dinner. Many will have a few extra, so when feeding a big crowd it's always a good idea to plan ahead and give the willing cooks\u0026nbsp;amongst\u0026nbsp;the group some little job. This naturally takes pressure off the 'head cook' and I feel makes the whole experience much more enjoyable when the work isn't left to just one or two. Of course I'm speaking as the 'cook' and not the one who gets to munch on Roses while watching Back to the Future and awaiting their dinner to be served.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;As a child I was always allocated with the job of making the bread sauce for Christmas dinner. I would follow Darina's recipe, from A Simple Delicious Christmas Cookbook, to a tee and naturally after making it myself I had to eat\u0026nbsp;copious\u0026nbsp;amounts\u0026nbsp;of it with my turkey. The comforting smell of the milk, infusing on the hob, with onions and cloves is one of my all-time favourite Christmas scents.\u0026nbsp;I can't remember a Christmas dinner without bread sauce but for anyone who hasn't yet tasted it I'd urge you to give it a try this Christmas.\u0026nbsp;The combination of ingredients may sound\u0026nbsp;peculiar\u0026nbsp;and when cooked it does slightly resemble something that Oliver may of been looking for 'more' of, but believe me that once you taste it you'll love it and ever more will include it as part of your Christmas celebrations.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4uHCftVyWQM\/TvRF8cO83fI\/AAAAAAAAB5E\/5pixAtYs-UE\/s1600\/IMG_8273+RESIZED.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4uHCftVyWQM\/TvRF8cO83fI\/AAAAAAAAB5E\/5pixAtYs-UE\/s640\/IMG_8273+RESIZED.jpg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EBread Sauce\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIngredients\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E600ml (1 pint) milk\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E50g (2 oz) butter\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E1 onion quartered and studded with 8 cloves \u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E2 bay leaves\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E10 peppercorns\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E2 thyme sprigs\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EGenerous grating of nutmeg\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ETo Finish\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E100g breadcrumbs\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E100ml cream\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EKnob of butter\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFreshly grated nutmeg\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ESalt and freshly ground black pepper\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EMethod\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"ListParagraphCxSpFirst\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\"\u003E1.\u003Cspan style=\"font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\"\u003EPour the milk into a pan, add the onion, butter, nutmeg, bay leaves and thyme, and then bring to the boil. Turn the heat to its lowest setting and infuse the milk for 30 minutes.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"ListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\"\u003E2.\u003Cspan style=\"font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\"\u003EIf you have time, do this the day before, leave to cool completely, and then chill overnight.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"ListParagraphCxSpLast\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\"\u003E3.\u003Cspan style=\"font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\"\u003EPass the milk through a sieve and pour into a clean saucepan.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-IE\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E4. \u0026nbsp; Add the breadcrumbs, cream and butter and heat through on a low heat for 15 minutes.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -18.0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E5. Taste and season if necessary with salt and pepper. Add a little milk if the bread sauce is too thick. \u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: -18.0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E6. To serve, spoon into a bowl and serve hot with an extra little grating of nutmeg.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIf anyone has any queries about their Christmas cooking feel free to e-mail me or contact me through \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Nessas.Family.Kitchen\"\u003EFacebook\u003C\/a\u003E or \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/Nessa_Robins\"\u003ETwitter\u003C\/a\u003E. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who read the blog and I'd like to wish you a very Merry Christmas with health \u0026amp; happiness for 2012.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ENessa x\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3827357062915900644\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=3827357062915900644\u0026isPopup=true","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/3827357062915900644"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/3827357062915900644"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2011\/12\/bread-sauce.html","title":"Bread Sauce"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4uHCftVyWQM\/TvRF8cO83fI\/AAAAAAAAB5E\/5pixAtYs-UE\/s72-c\/IMG_8273+RESIZED.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-8371364112014698344"},"published":{"$t":"2011-12-19T08:47:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-08T14:43:28.563+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"breadcrumbs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"date"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dinner"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"pine nuts"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recipe"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sage"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"stuffing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Sage, Date \u0026 Pine Nut Stuffing"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"color: #222222; font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI have a really good feeling about this Christmas and the whole build up to this years' big day has been quite wonderful. Like many others, Christmas was always my\u0026nbsp;favorite\u0026nbsp;time of year. I loved every minute of the preparations, the shopping for gifts, the visits to neighbours and friends, the carol services and of course the\u0026nbsp;obligatory\u0026nbsp;Christmas baking. However for the past few years I have found the whole Christmas season to be quite lonely. I imagine for anyone who has lost a loved one would agree that times that been the happiness can be struck with such sadness. \u0026nbsp;I am\u0026nbsp;privileged\u0026nbsp;to be surrounded by a fantastic family but there will always be a sadness in my heart for my loved one's who have passed. However I really am feeling festive this year and have loved all the prepartions with the children for Christmas. They are so excited and are busy with lots of plans for the week to come, which includes a visit to \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.gaietytheatre.ie\/\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe Gaiety Theatre\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #222222; font-family: inherit;\"\u003E to see Robinson Crusoe \u0026amp; the Caribbean Pirates, which should be lots of fun. While in Dublin we may even dine somewhere nice!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #222222;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe recipe I'm sharing with you today is one you might like to make to accompany your Christmas Roast. I was asked by \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/kerrygold\"\u003EKerrygold\u003C\/a\u003E for a festive recipe using their deliciously creamy butter. As a Kerrygold butter fan I had many to choose from, but decided on this recipe as it is my favourite stuffing recipe.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #222222;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ESage, Date \u0026amp; Pine Nut Stuffing\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ifKRZHlp7_I\/Tu45PUjAnvI\/AAAAAAAAB48\/Upmt20jLNMc\/s1600\/IMG_8265+RESIZED.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ifKRZHlp7_I\/Tu45PUjAnvI\/AAAAAAAAB48\/Upmt20jLNMc\/s640\/IMG_8265+RESIZED.jpg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EA roast dinner of any sort just isn't complete without some stuffing on the side. The basis for any good stuffing are onions diced finely and\u0026nbsp;sautéed\u0026nbsp;in butter, which of course would preferably be creamy Kerrygold. Some breadcrumbs and fresh herbs would make this a very simple yet tasty\u0026nbsp;accompaniment\u0026nbsp;to your Christmas dinner, but the addition of a few chopped dates and a handful of toasted pine nuts makes it a whole lot tastier.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIngredients\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E75g\/3oz Kerrygold butter\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E1 large onion, diced\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E225g\/8oz white breadcrumbs\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E50g toasted pine nuts\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E2 tbsp freshly chopped sage\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E6 dates, finely chopped\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ESalt and freshly ground pepper\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EMethod:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E1. Melt the Kerrygold butter in a pan, add the onions and cook for a few minutes until softened but not coloured.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E2. Place the breadcrumbs in a bowl with the onion and butter mixture, the pine nuts, the sage and the dates.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E3. Mix well to combine and season to taste.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E4. Grease an oven- proof dish with a little butter and add the stuffing.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E5. Place in a pre-heated oven 190\u0026nbsp;̊C\/375\u0026nbsp;̊F\/gas mark 5 for approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to get all the stuffing nice and crispy.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8371364112014698344\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=8371364112014698344\u0026isPopup=true","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/8371364112014698344"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/8371364112014698344"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2011\/12\/sage-date-pine-nut-stuffing.html","title":"Sage, Date \u0026 Pine Nut Stuffing"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ifKRZHlp7_I\/Tu45PUjAnvI\/AAAAAAAAB48\/Upmt20jLNMc\/s72-c\/IMG_8265+RESIZED.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-4361125057649225984"},"published":{"$t":"2011-12-14T16:53:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2012-01-15T11:58:04.119+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Kinnity Castle Hotel"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Pre-Christmas Break at Kinnitty"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;\"\u003EA few weeks back I had the pleasure of heading to \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2011\/11\/mushroom-foraging-at-kinnity-castle.html\"\u003EKinnitty Castle for a mushroom forage \u003C\/a\u003Eand then enjoyed a fabulous dinner there.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;\"\u003EKinnitty Castle Hotel is a beautiful medieval castle in a fairytale setting at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Offaly. Set in 650 acres of beautiful parkland and forests including 60 acres of gorgeously green rolling lawns, the hotel is straight out of a fairytale!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-OR6gBCR7FaY\/Tq6FpC7djXI\/AAAAAAAABwk\/_LMjz_2V1Ss\/s1600\/IMG_6917+RESIZED.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-OR6gBCR7FaY\/Tq6FpC7djXI\/AAAAAAAABwk\/_LMjz_2V1Ss\/s640\/IMG_6917+RESIZED.jpg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;\"\u003EThere is an offer for\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;a Magical Pre-Christmas Break in Kinnitty Castle Hotel this\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;\"\u003ESaturday 17th December and I really had to share the details with you.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;\"\u003EKinnitty Castle Hotel is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the Christmas rush and they have a wonderful offer for a pre-Christmas break. \u003Cb\u003EFor just €60 per person sharing you can enjoy a one night stay including dinner and breakfast \u003C\/b\u003Ein this splendid hotel this Saturday 17th December. With roaring open fires and sparkling Christmas decorations, there is no better place for you to unwind before Christmas in truly festive surroundings.\u0026nbsp;So why not treat yourself and a loved one to a night of luxury at this very special price.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;\"\u003EKinnitty Castle Hotel, Kinnitty, Birr, Co. Offaly, Ireland\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;\"\u003ETel: 00353 57 9137318\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;\"\u003EI have a competition running on Twitter over the next few days. The prize is a Special Edition DVD of Julie \u0026amp; Julia. If you are on Twitter, make sure to enter.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/Nessa_Robins\"\u003Ehttp:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/Nessa_Robins\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4361125057649225984\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=4361125057649225984\u0026isPopup=true","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/4361125057649225984"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/4361125057649225984"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2011\/12\/pre-christmas-break-at-kinnitty.html","title":"Pre-Christmas Break at Kinnitty"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-OR6gBCR7FaY\/Tq6FpC7djXI\/AAAAAAAABwk\/_LMjz_2V1Ss\/s72-c\/IMG_6917+RESIZED.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-7254685896797839453"},"published":{"$t":"2011-12-11T10:43:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-08T14:44:18.980+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"brown sugar"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"butter"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chocolate"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chocolate fudge"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dessert"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"marshmallows"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recipe"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Chocolate Marshmallow Brown Sugar Fudge"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"With Christmas just around the corner\u0026nbsp;the thoughts of presents for friends and family will preoccupy most of us. It's the one time of year that you can give someone a present just because it's Christmas, but the reasoning behind the gift can of course be much more fundamental.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Through the year\u0026nbsp;there are many that cross our paths that are kind and caring. People that can make \u0026nbsp;a difference just by being part of their company. Christmas is the perfect opportunity to thank those who are most important to us.\u0026nbsp;It's always nice to appreciate those who take time out of their day to make our day a little easier and certainly some sort of a gift is an ideal gesture of thanks.\u0026nbsp;Presents don't have to be expensive and I'm a true believer in the sentiment that 'It's the thought that counts'. Even the smallest gift is\u0026nbsp;accompanied\u0026nbsp;with the best of\u0026nbsp;intentions.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TVIXnccBda8\/TuR_KEMaGqI\/AAAAAAAAB4o\/MuHmf3X0V7Y\/s1600\/IMG_8203+RESIZED.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"266\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TVIXnccBda8\/TuR_KEMaGqI\/AAAAAAAAB4o\/MuHmf3X0V7Y\/s400\/IMG_8203+RESIZED.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA few months prior to Christmas I generally make some\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2010\/06\/strawberry-jam.html\"\u003E jams\u003C\/a\u003E and chutneys, more because the garden is packed with fruit and the greenhouse with tomatoes and not because I am super organised! I always keep some to one side and have them as part of my Christmas hampers. If you are planning on giving some edible gifts as Christmas presents there is still plenty of time to put a few bits together. Some nice recycled jam jars, labels and a few pretty bows will make your home produce look even better. A jar of vanilla sugar is so easy to make. Add a vanilla pod to a nice jam jar, fill it with caster sugar and leave for a few weeks before enjoying in a cup of coffee or dusted over some shortbread.\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnother really easy edible gift is some flavoured oil. Olive or rapeseed oil can be used. Pour out a little from the bottle, maybe add this to an already opened bottle, and add 3 full cloves of garlic and 2 large sprigs of fresh rosemary. Let this sit for about 2 weeks before use. This will taste\u0026nbsp;delicious\u0026nbsp;as a dip or as an oil for stir frying and it will cost considerably less than a shop bought flavoured oil.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-X6Xw0z-Ve1o\/TuR_Ikw61EI\/AAAAAAAAB4g\/C0mRI6KKspY\/s1600\/IMG_8202+RESIZED.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-X6Xw0z-Ve1o\/TuR_Ikw61EI\/AAAAAAAAB4g\/C0mRI6KKspY\/s640\/IMG_8202+RESIZED.jpg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELast year I received some Christmas biscuits from Nick on a\u0026nbsp;gorgeous\u0026nbsp;plate, all wrapped up beautifully with some\u0026nbsp;cellophane\u0026nbsp;and tied with a big bow. Not only were the biscuits home made but so was the plate! What an amazing present and something I'd like to recreate this year for some of my Christmas gifts. Now I'm not much of a potter but a few nice shop bought plates will do the trick.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI came across this recipe for fudge in Lorraine Pascal's new book, Home Cooking Made Easy. Home made sweets without using a sugar thermometer is always a good thing. I made them with the boys, they measured the ingredients and I took care of any of the stove bits. The contents of the saucepan gets very hot so I'd never let the kids even stir this when it's heating up. It took us all of 15 mins to make and then it took about 2 hours to set. We decorated the top with some Christmas sprinkles but any small sweets or chopped nuts would work perfectly. I wasn't a huge fan of this but that actually comes from the fact that I don't really like chocolate\u0026nbsp;fudge. The children, however, loved it and enjoyed some with a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ijackod.blogspot.com\/2010\/12\/my-first-original-recipe-extra.html\"\u003Ehot chocolate\u003C\/a\u003E while watching Narnia last night.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Mqdf08Jb4Qw\/TuR-4y893-I\/AAAAAAAAB3o\/YBh7WDEm6tg\/s1600\/IMG_8162+RESIZED.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"266\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Mqdf08Jb4Qw\/TuR-4y893-I\/AAAAAAAAB3o\/YBh7WDEm6tg\/s400\/IMG_8162+RESIZED.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThis is a lovely, easy recipe to make with the children.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hZF0ZaIK9Mk\/TuR-5RClGtI\/AAAAAAAAB3s\/3RDs_TU1WNs\/s1600\/IMG_8165+RESIZED.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hZF0ZaIK9Mk\/TuR-5RClGtI\/AAAAAAAAB3s\/3RDs_TU1WNs\/s400\/IMG_8165+RESIZED.jpg\" width=\"266\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-HcZZGiBa1G0\/TuR-5f4-WUI\/AAAAAAAAB3w\/n7_X-PY-nV8\/s1600\/IMG_8169+RESIZED.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"266\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-HcZZGiBa1G0\/TuR-5f4-WUI\/AAAAAAAAB3w\/n7_X-PY-nV8\/s400\/IMG_8169+RESIZED.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-dwUJ5ioJtgA\/TuR-9g0jhVI\/AAAAAAAAB4A\/U2F7_B5lshk\/s1600\/IMG_8175+RESIZED.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"266\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-dwUJ5ioJtgA\/TuR-9g0jhVI\/AAAAAAAAB4A\/U2F7_B5lshk\/s400\/IMG_8175+RESIZED.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-YUJSja8mrG4\/TuR_ARWZSAI\/AAAAAAAAB4I\/IZxBn29PfK8\/s1600\/IMG_8179+RESIZED.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-YUJSja8mrG4\/TuR_ARWZSAI\/AAAAAAAAB4I\/IZxBn29PfK8\/s640\/IMG_8179+RESIZED.jpg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EOne man grating while the other man samples the chocolate.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-WQNFc-wEKEU\/TuR_AUMliSI\/AAAAAAAAB4M\/57v5T-wcHyQ\/s1600\/IMG_8181+RESIZED.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-WQNFc-wEKEU\/TuR_AUMliSI\/AAAAAAAAB4M\/57v5T-wcHyQ\/s400\/IMG_8181+RESIZED.jpg\" width=\"266\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EGrating the chocolate was proving tricky, so Jack decided to chop it \u0026nbsp;instead.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ak2-88m9ONc\/TuR_ECAuAWI\/AAAAAAAAB4Y\/T-zBv_H_lN0\/s1600\/IMG_8187+RESIZED.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ak2-88m9ONc\/TuR_ECAuAWI\/AAAAAAAAB4Y\/T-zBv_H_lN0\/s640\/IMG_8187+RESIZED.jpg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EMillie would be very offended if she wasn't included in whatever activities the boys are at!!\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\" module padded\" id=\"ingredients\" style=\"background-color: white; line-height: 10px; margin-top: 16px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-2O7WxOwBonA\/TuR_KnxyXeI\/AAAAAAAAB4s\/iHMRf2NDnDg\/s1600\/IMG_8224+RESIZED.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-2O7WxOwBonA\/TuR_KnxyXeI\/AAAAAAAAB4s\/iHMRf2NDnDg\/s640\/IMG_8224+RESIZED.jpg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E        \u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E        \u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E        \u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: small;\"\u003EIngredients\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E  \u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: small;\"\u003Evegetable oil, for greasing\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E  \u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: small;\"\u003E70g\/2½oz\u0026nbsp;butter\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E  \u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: small;\"\u003E300g\/10½oz soft light\u0026nbsp;brown sugar\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E  \u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: small;\"\u003E125g\/4½oz\u0026nbsp;evaporated milk\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E  \u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: small;\"\u003E225g\/8oz\u0026nbsp;marshmallows\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E  \u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: small;\"\u003E300g\/10½oz\u0026nbsp;milk chocolate, chopped\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E  \u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: small;\"\u003E75g\/3oz\u0026nbsp;dark chocolate\u0026nbsp;(at least 60% cocoa solids), chopped\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E  \u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E  \u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1em;\"\u003EMethod\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cordered id=\"preparation\" js-accordion=\"js-accordion\" style=\"background-color: white; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; line-height: 10px; margin-top: 16px; padding-top: 16px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/ordered\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col class=\"instructions\" style=\"list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 32px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cli class=\"instruction\" style=\"font-weight: bold; line-height: 1em; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EGrease a 20cm\/8in square cake tin with vegetable oil, then line with greaseproof paper.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\"instruction\" style=\"font-weight: bold; line-height: 1em; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EPut the butter, sugar and milk in a pan over a low heat and melt gently. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the marshmallows and turn up the heat. Boil the fudge for 5-6 minutes.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\"instruction\" style=\"font-weight: bold; line-height: 1em; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ETake the pan off the heat and add the grated chocolate. Leave for one minute, then stir the mixture together until everything is melted.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\"instruction\" style=\"font-weight: bold; line-height: 1em; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EPour the mixture into the prepared tin and leave to set for a couple of hours. Once set, remove from the tin and cut into 25 squares\u003C\/span\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003EI've entered this post in \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/englishmum.com\/christmas-bakeoff.html\"\u003EEnglish Mum's Great Christmas Bake Off.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7254685896797839453\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=7254685896797839453\u0026isPopup=true","title":"13 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/7254685896797839453"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/7254685896797839453"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2011\/11\/chocolate-marshmallow-brown-sugar-fudge.html","title":"Chocolate Marshmallow Brown Sugar Fudge"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TVIXnccBda8\/TuR_KEMaGqI\/AAAAAAAAB4o\/MuHmf3X0V7Y\/s72-c\/IMG_8203+RESIZED.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"13"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-4846185127867410605"},"published":{"$t":"2011-11-29T19:23:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-08T14:44:47.264+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"avonmore"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cooking cream"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cream"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dinner"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ham"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"leftovers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"pie"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recipe"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sage"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"turkey"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Christmas Creamy Leftover Pie"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I love cooking for big family occasions and when better to do this than during the Christmas season. The house is constantly busy and good humour is\u0026nbsp;guaranteed when family and friends all come together. Often a lot of planning and shopping is needed to organise a successful family get together, but with the fridge\u0026nbsp;packed with lots of lovely leftovers I normally try to include some of these ingredients when planning what to cook. I know that in recent years many people often opt for the 'anything but turkey' for their Christmas feast, but I must admit that I'm a\u0026nbsp;traditional\u0026nbsp;girl at heart and still have the urge to buy a turkey that can just about fit in the oven and enough ham to keep us in sandwiches for at least a good week after the big day. With the inevitable bowls of leftovers a little thought has to go into the post Christmas meal planning. \u003Cbr \/\u003EFor the past number of years I have served a Turkey and Ham Pie for St. Stephen's Day. It's perfect for using up any of the previous days leftovers, which can include vegetables and stuffing. Alternatively some cooked chicken would also be perfect in place of the turkey and ham. If I have some mash potatoes they work wonderfully as a pie topper otherwise a sheet of puff pastry goes nicely with the sauce.\u003Cbr \/\u003EI would have cream in my fridge almost every day of the week, as a little dash of it goes a long way in so many dishes. However around the Christmas season I'm sure there's not a fridge in Ireland that hasn't a pot of creamy goodness tucked away in there somewhere!\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis is a really delicious wholesome dish which is sure to warm you up over the holidays. It is scrumptious served with a plain green salad and I'm sure this pie would be welcome at any family meal.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-orZN-oijamw\/TtUpoWbQp1I\/AAAAAAAAB3I\/D4VrcBEgWYg\/s1600\/IMG_7216resize.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-orZN-oijamw\/TtUpoWbQp1I\/AAAAAAAAB3I\/D4VrcBEgWYg\/s640\/IMG_7216resize.jpg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ECreamy Christmas Leftover Pie\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003Eroux(to thicken)\u003Cbr \/\u003E25g (1oz) butter\u003Cbr \/\u003E25g(1oz) plain flour\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFor the filling\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E50g (2oz) butter\u003Cbr \/\u003E200g(7oz) mushrooms, sliced\u003Cbr \/\u003E1 leek, sliced\u003Cbr \/\u003Esalt and pepper\u003Cbr \/\u003E800mls(1.5 pints) chicken\/turkey\/vegetable stock\u003Cbr \/\u003E200mls (7floz) cream\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E10 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped\u003Cbr \/\u003Esprig of fresh thyme\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003Eroux\u003Cbr \/\u003E2 teasp wholegrain mustard\u003Cbr \/\u003E100g(4oz) frozen peas\u003Cbr \/\u003E500g(16oz) cooked turkey\u003Cbr \/\u003E250g(8oz) cooked ham\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFor the topping\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E400g(14oz) puff pastry rolled to 5mm thick\u003Cbr \/\u003E1 egg, beaten, to glaze\u003Cbr \/\u003Eor\u003Cbr \/\u003E1.5kg(3.5lbs) mashed potatoes\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMethod\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E1. Preheat the oven to\u003Cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;200°C\/400\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: 19px;\"\u003E°f\/gas 6.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E2. First make the roux by melting the butter in a small saucepan over a gentle heat. Add the flour and continue to stir for 2 minutes until the mixture comes away from the saucepan. Pour into a bowl and leave to one side.\u003Cbr \/\u003E3. Add half the butter to a large oven proof dish or saucepan and over a high heat fry the mushrooms for 4 minutes until soft. Remove to a plate.\u003Cbr \/\u003E4. Add the rest of the butter and add in the sliced leeks. Season with salt and pepper. Saute for about 15 minutes until soft but not coloured. Once cooked add to the mushrooms on the plate.\u003Cbr \/\u003E5. Using the same saucepan add the stock, cream, sage, thyme leaves and wholegrain mustard.\u003Cbr \/\u003E6. Bring to a boil, then whisk in the roux. The liquid must be boiling while you add the roux for the sauce to thicken without getting lumpy.\u003Cbr \/\u003E7. Return the cooked mushrooms and leeks to the saucepan. Add the peas, turkey and ham.\u003Cbr \/\u003E8. Either top with the puff pastry and glaze with some beaten egg or top with mashed potatoes.\u003Cbr \/\u003E9. \u0026nbsp;Place the dish\/saucepan on a baking tray in the preheated oven for 30 mins until the top is golden brown and the mixture bubbling hot.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-JO8kUJCrTRM\/TtUpoCXqAfI\/AAAAAAAAB3E\/ateQk-mKD_8\/s1600\/IMG_7204resize.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-JO8kUJCrTRM\/TtUpoCXqAfI\/AAAAAAAAB3E\/ateQk-mKD_8\/s640\/IMG_7204resize.jpg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4846185127867410605\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=4846185127867410605\u0026isPopup=true","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/4846185127867410605"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/4846185127867410605"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2011\/11\/christmas-creamy-leftover-pie.html","title":"Christmas Creamy Leftover Pie"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-orZN-oijamw\/TtUpoWbQp1I\/AAAAAAAAB3I\/D4VrcBEgWYg\/s72-c\/IMG_7216resize.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-9201772918943593828"},"published":{"$t":"2011-11-21T21:09:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-08T14:45:07.239+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"bread"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"brie"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"ham"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recipe"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sandwich"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"supper"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"toastie"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Brie \u0026 Baked Ham Toastie"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"So Thanksgiving will be celebrated in America, later this week. Each year I always feel that we are missing out on a\u0026nbsp;truly\u0026nbsp;wonderful holiday. I understand that the origins of the American \u0026amp; Canadian Thanksgiving are to do with the anniversary of their pilgrims settling in their countries, but the whole idea of having a holiday dedicated to giving thanks, I feel, is something really special. To be aware of all the good around us is paramount for day to day life and to give thanks for this good is ever important. Giving thanks and appreciating others good will,\u0026nbsp;is something that I stress heavily with my children. I always remind them that as a family we have so much to be grateful for. Overall I'd consider myself a positive person. My mother oozed positivity and no matter what happened in life, she would take something positive from any situation. When ever I had a problem she was first I would call, and her ability to rationalise any\u0026nbsp;dilemma\u0026nbsp;always\u0026nbsp;astounded\u0026nbsp;me. I certainly miss my chats with her but her\u0026nbsp;positivity\u0026nbsp;rooted deep and has given me a fantastic outlook on my life. I have so much to give thanks for but most of all I am grateful for my happy and healthy children and a great husband.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-IhxO8gP3GQA\/TsvW5vqO66I\/AAAAAAAAB24\/SbXKDYyRChg\/s1600\/IMG_6983.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-IhxO8gP3GQA\/TsvW5vqO66I\/AAAAAAAAB24\/SbXKDYyRChg\/s640\/IMG_6983.JPG\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI wanted to share with you a sandwich recipe that has become one of my annual favourites. As some of my readers are American I thought these ingredients may already be in your fridge, so that is why I'm posting this recipe early in the season.\u003Cbr \/\u003EI think to pan fry any sandwich makes it\u0026nbsp;automatically\u0026nbsp;tastier than it's grilled alternative. Of course it's not exactly healthier but I still always enjoy it as a real treat and this version would have to be my pan fried sandwich of choice. The kids also love all sorts of pan fried\u0026nbsp;sandwiches, however their ultimate pan fried sandwich would be this \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2010\/07\/chocolate-and-marshmallow-toastie.html\"\u003Esmore like treat\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;which is only made on very special occasions.\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe ingredients that are packed inside this sandwich are ones that are typically left in the fridge after Thanksgiving or Christmas. This is a\u0026nbsp;useful recipe to create something delicious from your leftover cheese board, cooked ham and cranberry sauce.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EPan Fried Brie and Baked Ham Sandwich\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-XQc0_59DCIA\/TsvW5etYMwI\/AAAAAAAAB20\/Z-WEclPYTf0\/s1600\/IMG_6981.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-XQc0_59DCIA\/TsvW5etYMwI\/AAAAAAAAB20\/Z-WEclPYTf0\/s640\/IMG_6981.JPG\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIngredients\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E2 slices of thick white bread\u003Cbr \/\u003Ebutter\u003Cbr \/\u003Ewedge of Brie or Camerbert\u003Cbr \/\u003Eslice of Baked Ham\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;1 teasp Cranberry Sauce\u003Cbr \/\u003Efew drops of Balsamic Vinegar\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMethod\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;1. Butter the slices of bread. Slice the brie and place on the unbuttered side of one slice of bread. Top with a slice of ham.\u003Cbr \/\u003E2. Add a spoonful of cranberry sauce. Drizzle with a few drops of balsamic vinegar.\u003Cbr \/\u003E3. Put the second slice of bread on top, buttered side out. Fry in a hot pan, pressing down with a fish slice, for two minutes on each side, until golden brown and the cheese is melting.\u003Cbr \/\u003E4. Cut in half and enjoy with a little cranberry sauce on the side."},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/9201772918943593828\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=9201772918943593828\u0026isPopup=true","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/9201772918943593828"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/9201772918943593828"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2011\/11\/perfect-thanksgiving-christmas-leftover.html","title":"Brie \u0026 Baked Ham Toastie"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-IhxO8gP3GQA\/TsvW5vqO66I\/AAAAAAAAB24\/SbXKDYyRChg\/s72-c\/IMG_6983.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-1812351051253361309"},"published":{"$t":"2010-12-27T19:18:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-08T15:31:37.440+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"baking"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cocoa powder"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recipe"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sugar"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Christmas Chocolate Biscuits"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_pDHsByudxY0\/TRibKYnRn6I\/AAAAAAAAA14\/xuESjHXihIE\/s1600\/P1080484.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_pDHsByudxY0\/TRibKYnRn6I\/AAAAAAAAA14\/xuESjHXihIE\/s640\/P1080484.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003ELike many Irish, I have been wishing for a White Christmas for many years. Dashing through the snow and  Walking in a winter wonderland all sound quite dreamy, and look extremely tempting on a music video, however after a day or two of being house bound, and the hardship that these extreme temperatures bring, the dream of snow soon turns into a nightmare for many!! \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_pDHsByudxY0\/TRibJ1EZQGI\/AAAAAAAAA10\/Q1BGGR7ncmg\/s1600\/P1080485.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_pDHsByudxY0\/TRibJ1EZQGI\/AAAAAAAAA10\/Q1BGGR7ncmg\/s400\/P1080485.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EAdmittedly the snow makes the otherwise bland winter countryside look simply amazing. Snow is an ideal canvas for the keen photographer. Therefore I had to try to capture a few foodie pictures out in this ready made photo shoot.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EMy eldest boy Jack recently saw Nigella Lawson make these Christmas Biscuits and decided that they would make the perfect treat for Santa. They were very easy to make and tasted really yummy. Jack now has his own blog with plenty of kid-friendly recipes. He has gone to the extra effort of putting a video clip of Nigella demonstrating these biscuits. I'm very proud of this young man- check out his blog \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.ijackod.blogspot.com\/\"\u003EiJack O D\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_pDHsByudxY0\/TRibJfdSjaI\/AAAAAAAAA1s\/eNrnsbe3nhc\/s1600\/P1080398.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_pDHsByudxY0\/TRibJfdSjaI\/AAAAAAAAA1s\/eNrnsbe3nhc\/s640\/P1080398.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003EThe boys decorating the biscuits- a messy combination -boys and melted chocolate!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003EIngredients\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E250g soft butter\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E150g caster sugar\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E40g cocoa powder\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E300g plain flour\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E1 teaspoon baking powder\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003EFor The Festive Topping\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E2 x 15ml tablespoons cocoa powder\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E175g icing sugar\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E60ml boiling water, from a kettle\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E1 teaspoon vanilla extract\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003EChristmas Sprinkles\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003ESmarties (optional)\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003EMethod\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E1.\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;\"\u003E      \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003EPreheat the oven to 170̊C\/ gas mark 3 and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E2.\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;\"\u003E      \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003ECream the butter and sugar in a bowl and, when you have a light, soft whipped mixture, beat in the 40g cocoa powder (sifting if it is lumpy) and, when that's mixed in, beat in the flour with the baking soda and baking powder. Or just put everything in the processor and blitz, if you prefer.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"color: #353535; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E3.\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;\"\u003E      \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003EThis mixture is very soft and sticky so\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16px;\"\u003E roll about a tablespoon full into balls, then slightly flatten into fat discs as you place them, well spaced, on your cookies sheet. You should get about 12 on at a time.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E4.\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;\"\u003E      \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003EBake each batch for 15 minutes; even though the cookies won't feel as if they've had enough time, they will continue to cook as they cool. They will look slightly cracked.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E5.\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;\"\u003E      \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003EMove the cookie sheet to a cold surface and let it sit for 15 minutes before transferring the cookies to a wire rack, with a sheet of newspaper under it (to catch drips while topping them).\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E6.\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;\"\u003E      \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003ETo make the topping, put the cocoa powder, confectioners' sugar, water and vanilla extract into a small saucepan and whisk over a low heat until everything is smoothly combined. Take off the heat for 10 minutes.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"color: #353535; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E7.\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;\"\u003E      \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003EWhen the cookies are cool, drizzle each one with a tablespoonful of chocolate glaze—it will help \"glue\" the sprinkles on in a minute. Use the back of the spoon to help spread the mixture, though an uneven dribbled look is part of their charm.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpLast\" style=\"color: #353535; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -18pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E8.\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;\"\u003E      \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003EAfter you've iced 6 cookies, scatter with some of the Christmas sprinkles and continue until all the cookies are topped. If you ice them all before sprinkling, you will find the cocoa \"glue\" has dried and the sprinkles won't stick on. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E      For an alternative topping just melt some milk chocolate and drizzle over each biscuit then top with some smarties.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_pDHsByudxY0\/TRibJn2PwaI\/AAAAAAAAA2s\/xqZKds2-EYE\/s1600\/P1080443.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_pDHsByudxY0\/TRibJn2PwaI\/AAAAAAAAA2s\/xqZKds2-EYE\/s640\/P1080443.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"\u003Eb\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1812351051253361309\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=1812351051253361309\u0026isPopup=true","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/1812351051253361309"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/1812351051253361309"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2010\/12\/christmas-chocolate-biscuits.html","title":"Christmas Chocolate Biscuits"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_pDHsByudxY0\/TRibKYnRn6I\/AAAAAAAAA14\/xuESjHXihIE\/s72-c\/P1080484.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7790336599696817287.post-2931959484020837590"},"published":{"$t":"2010-12-03T14:28:00.002+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-08T15:15:53.870+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beef"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chick peas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chilli"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chorizo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dark chocolate"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dinner"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"guinness"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recipe"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"tomatoes"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Spiced Chocolate Chip Chilli"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"goog_192300463\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"goog_192300464\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; color: #333333; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_pDHsByudxY0\/TPj9FY7cPeI\/AAAAAAAAAwk\/HbGAnYp4HYw\/s1600\/P1070709.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_pDHsByudxY0\/TPj9FY7cPeI\/AAAAAAAAAwk\/HbGAnYp4HYw\/s400\/P1070709.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EOn the first Friday of each month enthusiastic cooks from around the country are united around a virtual dining table where they all prepare and cook a meal centered around a particular theme. This is known as the Irish Foodies Cookalong.  November's theme was quite appropriately 'winter warmers' and with so many recipes to choose from the possibilities for me were endless. Eventually I decided to cook a good old Chilli- perfectly suitable for cold weather and has the ability to heat you up in more ways than one!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI had seeen Nigella adding some dark chocolate to her Chilli Con Carne and it looked delicious. I based this recipe on Nigella's version substituting kidney beans for chick peas. This was a good tip given to me by my friend Erika who found the latter was better received by kids!! I found the addition of Guinness really complements the spicy flavours quite well. As with most hearty stews this tastes even better the day after cooking and freezes well.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E If like me you are currently housebound due to snow why not make a big pot of chilli, freeze it and enjoy a cook free day over the Christmas holidays!!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; color: #333333; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/_pDHsByudxY0\/TPj9GKcqWTI\/AAAAAAAAAwo\/UY45JM9cfYA\/s1600\/P1070712.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/_pDHsByudxY0\/TPj9GKcqWTI\/AAAAAAAAAwo\/UY45JM9cfYA\/s400\/P1070712.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: #333333; font-size: large; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESpiced Chocolate Chip Chilli\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIngredients\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E150g chorizo\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E900g\/ 2lbs shin of beef cut into three quarter inch cubes \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E2 large onions\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E3 cloves garlic\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E1 long red chilli, seeded\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Erapeseed oil\/ olive oil\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E1 teaspoon ground cumin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E1 teaspoon ground coriander\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E1 teaspoon ground cinnamon\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E2 tbsp tomato puree\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E2 tbsp tomato ketchup\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E1x400g (14oz) tin chick peas\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E2x 400g (14oz) tin chopped tomatoes\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E1 tbsp sugar\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E25g dark chocolate chips\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E250mls Guinness\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E100mls water (swilled out in the chopped tomato cans)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cb style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cb style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EMethod\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EPrehe\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eat the oven to 150\u003C\/span\u003Ec\/325F\/gas 2.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #333333; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E1.Finely chop, or process the onion, garlic and chilli. Heat the oil in a large pan and fry this mixture until soft, add the cumin, coriander and cinnamon.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E2. Stir the oniony-spiced mixture together and then add the sausages sliced into eighth-inch coins.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E3. Drop in the cubes of beef turning them in the pan with the sausages to brown the meat.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E4. Stir in the tomato puree, tomatoes, ketchup and drained chick peas.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E5. Add the guinness and water and bring the chili to a boil, sprinkle over the chocolate and stir it all together. 6. Season with salt, pepper and sugar. Once simmering cover the pan with a lid.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E6. Put the chilli in the oven and cook for 3 hours. Once cooked it is best left overnight as the flavour improves.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETo serve\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003ECreamy mashed potatoes or Basmati Rice\u003Cbr \/\u003EGrated Chedder cheese- sprinkle over before serving\u003Cbr \/\u003ESour cream (to cool things down!) - a dollop on the side\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_pDHsByudxY0\/TPj45p1_3GI\/AAAAAAAAAwc\/ri-cwkvaqQU\/s1600\/choc+chilli2.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"371\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_pDHsByudxY0\/TPj45p1_3GI\/AAAAAAAAAwc\/ri-cwkvaqQU\/s400\/choc+chilli2.JPG\" style=\"cursor: move;\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2931959484020837590\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=7790336599696817287\u0026postID=2931959484020837590\u0026isPopup=true","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/2931959484020837590"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/7790336599696817287\/posts\/default\/2931959484020837590"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com\/2010\/12\/chocolate-chip-chilli.html","title":"Spiced Chocolate Chip Chilli"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Nessa Robins"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13103337254538129234"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ID3_zvRrmRc\/V59YbznczAI\/AAAAAAAAFak\/AkyLnwX_WgQQuL4qhMdzBgXcWPeTNGWsACK4B\/s113\/IMG_7409.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_pDHsByudxY0\/TPj9FY7cPeI\/AAAAAAAAAwk\/HbGAnYp4HYw\/s72-c\/P1070709.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}}]}});