Rural life in North Nottinghamshire has provided us with many opportunities. I think we have embraced them all. Not least our latest and most productive hobby: sausage-making!
We have been given quantities of game birds from local shoots and so it has become necessary to be inventive. Roast pheasant, roast partridge, game casserole, pheasant bolognese…
Recipes coming soon
I can share the recipes and methods with you in the New Year, perhaps you would like to see them?
A very merry Christmas
In the meantime here is a picture of our Christmas wreath. Created from feathers and a biodegradable OASIS https://www.oasisfloral.co.uk/ base. It hangs on my front door. A seasonal image to wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
St Peter’s Church, Clayworth, Nottinghamshire – first ever Christmas tree festival!
Christmas tree festivals are community events that bring people and local organisations together. Individuals and groups supply and decorate a Christmas tree. This particular Christmas tree festival is St Peter’s first ever! There are currently fifteen trees in this inaugural display, all lit, decorated and on show collectively. But for a limited time only – from now until Saturday 21st December. It is not here for long and St Peter’s in Clayworth, North Nottinghamshire will be open every day until then from 10.00am until 4.00pm.
All kinds of trees, decorated and lit in St Peter’s Church, Clayworth North Nottinghamshire
Local organisations get involved
A couple of local organisations have provided a themed tree to reflect their business, such as the popular local bar and restaurant ‘the Blacksmith’s Arms’ https://www.blacksmithsclayworth.com/. Then there’s the ‘go to’ website for all events, things to do and what’s on information for the North Nottinghamshire area https://www.innorthnotts.co.uk/
Find out what’s happening in North Nottinghamshire from this pretty tree
An opportunity to visit the Traquair Murals
So, if you missed the ‘big one’ in town, now is your chance to savour flavour of this individual display. Enjoy this smaller but cosier exhibition in a local, historic, village church. Take advantage of this opportunity to see the ‘Traquair Murals’ as St Peter’s is home to the largest works of art in the East of England. They are are well worth a visit in themselves. You can read all about them here: https://savourthemoment.co/country-life/the-traquair-murals-the-what-murals/
Edible tree decorations to take away ‘Treats and Treasures’
A couple of the trees are decorated with edible treats. Help yourself to one or two – take some home or pass them around. This is a free event but there are opportunities to leave donations. There is a safe in the wall near the door for donations and also one or two collection boxes near the trees. Refreshments are available too.
Treats and treasure tree – help yourself to chocolate coins or peppermint canes
Heartwarming and unforgettable
Every Christmas tree festival is unique and has its own charm. St Peter’s would welcome your visit. It is a heart-warming and unforgettable sight especially when the trees are lit and it’s dark outside.
A uniquely hand-crafted Christmas tree
Share the joy
In recent years Christmas tree festivals have become increasingly popular as a way of bringing communities together. They provide the opportunity to raise money for the church or local charities. Most importantly they share the joy of the Christmas message and add a little extra sparkle to the Christmas festivities.
A blue and white theme
Don’t miss this chance to visit, time is running out – it will all be over on the evening of Saturday 21st December.
I wish you a very happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.
Angel chimes, with lit advent candles on the mantelpiece by the Christmas tree.
This image makes me think of the poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’. It contains all the names of the reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen Comet and Cupid, Donner and Blitzen and of course Rudolph. Which got me nine points in a recent pub quiz!
Roll out the fondant to the size of the cake, leaving enough spare to make the reindeer. Dampen the marzipan and place the fondant over. Smooth the surface. Leave for a couple of days to harden before making the reindeers snow scene.
Christmas cake with a layer of marzipan under a layer of roll-out fondant icing
Make the template
Find a simple line drawing or picture of a reindeer. Sketch onto a piece of card. It doesn’t need to be posh card, I used a piece from a tea-bag box https://www.yorkshiretea.co.uk
Cut out the shape and then… carefully and painstakingly cut out the reindeer.
Carefully cut out reindeers shapes using a card template
Leave them alone
Put them on a board to dry out for a couple of days. Leave them out of reach. They become quite brittle and so need to be treated with great care.
Glace icing snow
Place three tea lights on the cake. up a paste with icing sugar and a few drops of hot water. Use this to make snow drifts in which the reindeer will stand.
Set the scene
With great care place the reindeer in the snow as in the picture. Use toothpicks to prop them up until they have set. Some of the legs may come off! In which case they become laying reindeer. Some of the antlers may snap off – in which case they become does!
Use toothpicks to prop up reindeer until they have set into position
In the woods
Trees can be made from simple, right-angle triangles. Lean three together in a puddle of glacé icing with a little icing spread on the edge where they join together.
Centrepiece
Light the candles and turn out the lights for a stunning, Christmas centrepiece.
Wonderful creations on every stall of the Saint Nicholas Market
It’s Christmas market time
Where better to indulge in the sights, sounds and smells of the yuletide season but your nearest Christmas Market. With the Yuletide season upon us, the aroma of mulled wine and spices, and the sounds of Christmas songs… we’re ready to fully immerse ourselves into the festive spirit with a visit to a Christmas market. The streets of all the UK’s major cities – and some of the towns and tsbrave the chilly winds and visit one before it’s too late!
Crowds flock to the City of York for the Saint Nicholas Fair
The lovely Christmas aromas coming from the traditional chalets
Traditional chalets
The historic streets of York come alive during the winter months. Take a stroll through the vibrant market stalls of the St Nicholas Fair. Peek inside traditional chalets prettily decked-out with fairy lights and just follow your nose.
From baubles to baskets, an interesting mix of wares on every stall
It makes Christmas shopping very nearly enjoyable
The St Nicholas Fair is at the heart of Christmas shopping in the City of York https://www.visityork.org/whats-on/christmas . Over 100 traditional style chalets are dotted along Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square, The Judge’s Lodging and Coppergate. A million visitors enjoyed the delights of the Christmas market last year.
Original and unique. Items crafted from the wood from old wine barrels
A seasonal tradition
Visits to Christmas markets are fast becoming one of the UK’s favourite seasonal traditions. It doesn’t matter where you are in the country, you are never too far away from a Christmas market.
Hurry, only one week left…
York is a Christmas shopping heaven with its eclectic mix of shops and the magical Christmas market. The festive shopping started at St Nicholas Market In mid-November and will continue until December 23rd. The ancient city and the market combine to provide a very Dickensian feel with a hint of Victoriana with the busy market stalls which sell everything – crafts, local produce, and lots of quirky things made in Yorkshire.
Colourful, eye-catching and tasty. A homemade confectionery stall
York Railway Station York railway station is a ten minute walk from where it is all happening. This is a really great opportunity to soak up the city’s medieval charm and enjoy the festive flavours that transform York into such a magical place.
Traditional chalets
The St Nicholas Fair is at the heart of Christmas shopping in the City of York https://www.visityork.org/whats-on/christmas . Over 100 traditional style chalets are dotted along Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square, The Judge’s Lodging and Coppergate. A million visitors enjoyed the delights of the Christmas market last year.
Traditional wooden cabins that house the Christmas market traders
Visits to Christmas markets are fast becoming one of the UK’s favourite seasonal traditions. It doesn’t matter where you are in the country, you are never too far away from a Christmas market.
York Minster bathed in the light of the setting sun
A good excuse to experience a local hostelry
And of course there are many pubs – many of them boasting their own unique piece of history and local ales and homemade food.
Ready to serve. Colourful, tasty, braised red cabbage
This is the perfect vegetable accompaniment to many of our favourite, comforting, winter dishes.It goes just as well with a hearty Cottage Pie as it does with Christmas dinner!And it’s the perfect fruity, side-dish for game – particularly venison.It is so easy to make and it freezes well.
All the ingredients needed to make the perfect, braised, red cabbage
It’s definitely a family-pleaser – even for those of us who aren’t that keen on their veggies… well not yet anyway!
Ingredients
750 gms red cabbage, shredded (coût out the core, as in the picture above)
It is thought that the humble plum pudding’s association with Christmas goes back to medieval England. It seems that the pudding should be made on the 25th Sunday after Trinity and that it be prepared with 13 ingredients to represent Christ and the 12 apostles, and that every family member stir it in turn from east to west to honour the wise men and their journey in that direction.
All the ingredients needed to make a tradional, British, Christmas pudding
The Church and the Pud
However, recipes for plum pudding mostly start to appear in the 17th century. It had a very strong connection with the church.
The ‘collect’ for the Sunday before Advent in the Church of England’s Book of Common Prayer begins with the words ‘Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works.’
This led to the custom of preparing Christmas puddings on that day which became known as ‘Stir Up Sunday’. Stir Up Sunday for 2018 would be 25 November.I am ahead of the game this year.
Fruits from all corners of the world
There was a variety of ingredients and methods of making plum puddings.Many pudding recipes often contained meat, as well as the sweet ingredients.Before being steamed in a cloth the ingredients were sometimes stuffed into the stomach of an animal – similar to that of the Scottish haggis or sausages.
I like to think that the fruits and spices represent all the corners of the world and symbolise the harvest and survival food for winter.A pudding fit for a king!
A favourite recipe
It’s really quite easy to make Christmas pud.Especially if you have a tried and trusted recipe – like Delia’s. https://www.deliaonline.com/It’s always a winner and it always turns out just right.Thank you Delia… although over the last 30 years,I have made it my own.It makes 3 – 4 puddings dependent on the size of your bowls.
Stirring the pudding. Don’t forget… east to west – and make a wish!
Mix the suet, flour, bread crumbs and spices in a bowl.
Carefully add the dried fruit, peel and nuts to the flour.
Add the chopped apple, and grated orange and lemon peel
Beat the eggs in a roomy jug, add the alcohol to the jug – pour over all the other ingredients
Stir (you may need help) and make a wish – don’t forget to stir from east to west – and make a wish!
Line 3/4 pudding bowls with greaseproof paper – no precision required.
Microwave on high for 5, 6 or 7 minutes – dependent on the size of the bowl (a half litre bowl 5 mins) and the power of the microwave
Allow to cool
Wrap each pudding well in greasproof paper and either store in an airtight container or freeze
Then, when needed, steam the pud for as long as possible – all morning if you can, just keep checking the water level.My mum told me that the longer you steam your pudding the darker it will become.
The prepared pudding bowls
When it is time to serve the pudding, unwrap, turn upside down on a large plate – flambé and serve with brandy sauce.Amazing and quite a finale to Christmas dinner.
So, now you have time to get everything you need – just in time for ‘Stir Up Sunday’!
About thirty years ago a friend convinced me that homemade mincemeat was the best.She was not wrong and pointed me in the direction of Delia Smith https://www.deliaonline.com/.Yes of course I had a Delia Smith cook book (well four actually), seriously who didn’t back in the 80s?I loved that book, I never had a failure from it! However, I did adapt and ‘improve’ a little and put my own spin on certain recipes. But in the main, we have Delia to thank for this delight.
The glorious ingredients for mincemeat
The origins of mincemeat
I love the origins of the mince pie too.The ingredients for the mince pie we know and love can be traced back to the return of the crusaders from the Holy Land.Middle Eastern methods of cooking (which sometimes combined meats, fruits and spices – Heaven forbid!) were popular at the time. Pies were created from such mixtures of sweet and savoury foods (I am not sure about that either!) In Tudor England, shrid pies were formed from shredded meat, suet and dried fruit. The addition of spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg was, ‘in token of the offerings of the Eastern Magi.’ During the English Civil War they were banned, on account of its connection with Catholicism. Crikey! The hubster would never have survived. I also believe it is ‘bad luck’ to refuse a mince pie (I avoid being offered one) and… you should always make a wish as you bite into the first one of the season.
Everyone loves a mince pie… well nearly everyone
They are well-loved in our household.My son loves them with an almond paste/marzipan top.The hubster just loves them! Fortunately (or unfortunately) I DON’T. Anyway, here is my recipe for homemade Christmas Mincemeat:
The equipment you will need:
Ingredients
450g cooking apples, peeled cored and finely chopped
Mix all the ingredients (except the brandy) in a mixing bowl.Put the bowl into a preheated oven 120oC for three hours.
Fill your house with the amazing Christmassy aroma.
After three hours remove from the oven and allow to go completely cold – then stir in the brandy.Fill some clean, sealable jars or plastic containers.
The finished product, Homemade Christmas Mincemeat
It makes this much! Enough for probably 100 mince pies! It will keep for a very long time. Yes, it is a faff but it is definitely worth it. Savour the Homemade Christmas Mince Pies!
